Victoria: Julian, darling! You came back just in time!
Julian: What is going on here, Victoria?
Victoria: I caught your little housemaid going through my purse in the parlor! She took the emerald ring you bought for me!
Julian: Is that what happened?
Victoria: Yes! I had to pull it out of her pockets! She even tried to throw it in the water display to hide the evidence when I caught her!
Alice pulled her dripping hand out of the bowl, her shoulders shaking with quiet sobs. She kept her head down, unable to look Julian in the eye.
Alice: I didn't steal anything... I swear I didn't...
Victoria: Shut up, you liar! Everyone saw you reaching into the water to grab it!
Victoria's mother, Evelyn, stepped forward from the crowd, fanning herself with a lace handkerchief and looking down her nose at Alice.
Evelyn: Julian, as the head of the Sterling estate, you must call the police immediately. People like her belong in a prison cell, not working in a luxury estate!
Julian: Evelyn, step back.
Evelyn: But Julian! She humiliated my daughter in front of the board members and all our high-society guests!
Julian: I said, step back.
Julian walked slowly past Victoria. His heavy dress shoes clicked against the marble as he approached the glass bowl. He reached into the water without hesitation, pulling out the blue velvet box. He dried it calmly with his silk handkerchief.
Victoria: See? Get her out of here, Julian. Throw her back to the streets where you found her!
Julian didn't look at Victoria. He turned to face Alice, his cold eyes softening as he took in her wet sleeve, her red cheeks, and the way she protected her unborn child with her arms.
Julian: Alice. Look at me.
Alice slowly raised her eyes, her lower lip trembling.
Alice: Julian... I'm sorry... I tried to keep it safe like you asked...
Victoria: What is she talking about? Julian, don't listen to her pathetic excuses!
Julian ignored Victoria completely. He dropped down on one knee onto the hard marble floor, right in front of Alice. The entire crowd let out a sharp gasp. Victoria stood frozen, her eyes wide with total confusion.
Victoria: Julian?! What are you doing on the floor?! Get up! She's just a servant!
Julian opened the velvet box. The rare green emerald sparkled under the chandelier lights. He took Alice's left hand into his own, gently wiping the cold water from her skin with his thumb.
Julian: It was never yours, Victoria.
Victoria: What?! What do you mean it was never mine?! You told me you bought an emerald ring for our engagement!
Julian: I bought an emerald ring, yes. But I never said it was for you.
Julian carefully slid the platinum ring onto Alice's ring finger. It fit perfectly. Alice let out a soft breath, her tears spilling over her eyelashes as she looked at the shining gem on her hand.
Victoria: Are you out of your mind?! You're putting a million-dollar heirloom on a maid's hand?!
Julian stood up, taking Alice by the waist and pulling her gently to his side. He wrapped his arm around her, supporting her weight so she wouldn't have to stand alone. Then he turned his cold, piercing gaze directly onto Victoria and her mother.
Julian: Alice is my wife.