Daniel rushed through the heavy wooden doors with a worried look on his young face.
He wore a sharp double-breasted black suit and held a leather briefcase under his arm.
He was the younger brother of Valeria, but he possessed a very different kind of heart.
He had just returned from a long business meeting in the city center across town.
When he saw the crowd standing around Elena, his eyes narrowed with deep concern.
Daniel: What is going on here? Why is everyone standing around shouting?
Valeria: Brother, you came back just in time to see our maid get arrested!
Daniel pushed past two tall guests and immediately stood right between Valeria and Elena.
He noticed Elena's tear-stained cheeks and the way her hand protected her unborn child.
Daniel: Valeria, lower your voice and explain what you are doing right now.
Valeria: She stole Mom's estate documents and the heirloom ring from my desk!
Daniel: That is a serious accusation to make without any real proof.
Valeria: The items are missing, and she was the only worker on this floor!
Daniel turned toward Elena and spoke to her in a very gentle, calm tone.
Daniel: Elena, look at me. Did you enter my sister's private room today?
Elena: No, Mr. Daniel, I swear on my child's life that I stayed downstairs.
Daniel: I believe you, Elena. You have always been honest with our family.
Valeria gasped in utter disbelief as her brother openly took the maid's side.
Valeria: Are you seriously taking the word of a servant over your own sister?
Daniel: I am taking the side of truth, no matter who it comes from.
Valeria: You are embarrassing our family in front of all our distinguished guests!
Daniel: You are the one creating a public scene without checking the facts first.
The guests began to whisper among themselves as the tension between the siblings grew.
Daniel stepped closer to his sister and lowered his voice to a sharp whisper.
Daniel: You have been trying to fire Elena for months because she knows about your expenses.
Valeria: That is an absolute lie and you know it!
Daniel: Is it a lie? Or are you worried about the estate audit next week?
Valeria's face lost its color for a brief second before she regained her composed look.
She folded her arms tightly across her beige gown and glared at her younger brother.
Valeria: The estate audit has nothing to do with this stolen jewelry case!
Daniel: It has everything to do with why you are targeting an innocent pregnant woman.
Elena wiped a tears from her cheek and took a slow, deep breath of air.
She felt a small surge of hope knowing that Daniel was willing to fight for her.
Elena: Mr. Daniel, I can show you my cleaning log from the front desk.
Daniel: Keep that log safe, Elena. We are going to examine everything today.
Valeria scoffed loudly and turned her back to face the small crowd of friends.
Valeria: If you will not call the police, Daniel, then I will call them myself!
She reached into her small clutch bag and pulled out her gold smartphone instantly.
Daniel did not look scared at all as he pulled his own tablet from his briefcase.
Daniel: Go ahead and call them, Valeria. I have already called our family lawyer.