Elena gripped her designer bag tightly against her green dress with trembling fingers.
Elena: This is a violation of my personal rights as a guest!
Police Officer: Ma'am, set the bag down right now or you will be arrested.
Dante stood beside the officer with a steady and determined look on his face.
He felt a deep sense of guilt for not listening to his mother earlier.
Mrs. Vance had warned him many times that Elena cared only about money.
Elena slowly placed her green leather handbag onto the polished marble table.
The police officer opened the zipper and carefully looked inside the main compartment.
He pulled out a small glass vial with a white label printed in red ink.
The vial was half empty and matched the residue inside the shattered teacup.
Police Officer: What is this substance, Miss Elena?
Elena: That is just my personal sleeping medication prescribed by a doctor!
Clara: I saw her pour five drops directly into Mrs. Vance's tea cup!
Clara: Mrs. Vance does not take any sleeping medicine because of her heart condition.
The officer placed the small bottle inside a clear plastic evidence bag carefully.
He turned to his partner and gave a sharp nod toward the silent woman.
Police Officer: Elena Vance, you are under arrest for attempted murder.
Elena: I am not a Vance yet! Dante, tell them to stop this!
Dante looked at Elena with complete coldness in his tired brown eyes.
Dante: You will never wear my family name or enter this home again.
The second officer grabbed Elena's wrists and placed silver handcuffs on her.
Elena began to struggle and scream as they led her toward the door.
Elena: You cannot do this to me! I deserve half of this estate!
Her loud shouts faded away as the police officers led her outside into the sunlight.
Dante turned toward Clara, who was leaning against the black grand piano for balance.
He noticed red blood spots on the light floor beneath her bare feet.
Dante: Clara, sit down right now and let me help you with your feet.
Clara: I am fine, Mr. Vance, I just care about your mother's life.
Dante brought a clean cotton towel from the nearby bathroom for the maid.
He helped Clara sit on a comfortable velvet chair away from the sharp glass.
Dante: You saved my mother's life today by speaking up so fast.
Clara: She has always been very kind to me, so I had to tell truth.