Dante dropped his briefcase onto the light marble floor with a heavy thud.
His face turned pale as he sprinted across the room toward his unconscious mother.
He fell to his knees beside Mrs. Vance and grabbed her cold right hand.
Dante: Mom! Wake up! Can you hear me right now?
Mrs. Vance did not move or open her eyes to answer her frantic son.
Dante looked up at the two women standing inside the brightly lit room.
His brown eyes filled with deep panic and burning anger as he stood up.
Dante: What happened here? Why is nobody calling for emergency help?
Elena: Dante, darling, please stay calm and let me explain everything to you.
Elena stepped forward while reaching out to touch Dante's arm very softly.
Dante pulled his arm back quickly because he felt a deep sense of dread.
Clara remained on her knees near the sharp glass shards scattered on the floor.
She raised her shaking hands while tears continued to stream down her face.
Clara: Mr. Vance, I saw her put something in the tea!
Elena: Shut your mouth, Clara, you are lying to protect your job!
Dante looked down at Clara and noticed her bare feet bleeding near the glass.
He knew Clara had served his family faithfully without any trouble for many years.
He turned his gaze back to Elena with a sharp look of complete disbelief.
Dante: Is this true? Did you give my mother something dangerous today?
Elena: Of course not! She had a sudden heart problem while reading her book.
Elena: This maid is just panicked because she dropped the heavy crystal glass.
Clara shook her head frantically as she wiped tears from her damp cheeks.
Clara: She slipped something into her drink right before I walked over!
Clara: I saw the small glass bottle inside her expensive green handbag!
Elena's face went completely white as she pulled her handbag closer to her side.
Dante stepped directly toward Elena with a cold and intense glare in his eyes.
Dante: Open your bag right now and show me what is inside it.
Elena: You cannot treat me like a criminal in your own home!
Elena: I have done everything to support you and your massive family business!
Dante did not listen to her words as he pulled out his mobile phone.
He dialed the emergency number to request an ambulance and police officers immediately.
Elena watched him speak into the phone and realized her plan was falling apart.
She backed away toward the open hallway while keeping her eyes fixed on Dante.
Dante: You are not leaving this room until the paramedics get here.
Elena: Dante, wait! You're making a mistake!
Dante: What did you do to my mother?
The room became completely quiet as the warm afternoon sun lit up the space.
Dante stood between Elena and the door to block her only escape route.
Clara held Mrs. Vance's hand tightly while praying for the old woman to survive.