The tension inside the small office was so thick that Clara could barely draw a breath.
Daniel took a slow step forward, extending his hand toward the stolen blue folder.
Daniel: Do not make this situation any worse for yourself than it already is.
Clara: Stay away from me, Daniel! I am leaving this house right now!
Margaret: You are not taking a single piece of paper out of this mansion tonight!
Elena suddenly stepped into the room, holding her smartphone high in the dim light.
Elena: I have recorded your entire conversation on a live video stream, Mrs. Margaret!
Margaret turned around furiously, her face turning bright red with intense outrage.
Margaret: You traitorous maid! I will make sure you never work in this town again!
Elena: Hundreds of people are watching this video stream on the internet right now!
Daniel's eyes widened in sheer panic as he looked at Elena's glowing phone screen.
Daniel: Mother, if that video goes public, the bank will freeze all our corporate accounts!
Margaret: Turn off that phone right now, Elena, before I break it into pieces!
Clara took advantage of the sudden distraction and bolted past Daniel toward the door.
She ran down the grand spiral staircase as fast as her legs could safely carry her.
Daniel: Stop her! Do not let her get to her car in the driveway!
Clara pushed open the heavy front entrance doors and ran into the cool night air.
Bright headlights suddenly swept across the long gravel driveway, blinding her completely for a second.
Two black police cars pulled up to the front steps with their red lights flashing brightly.
An older man in a tailored dark suit stepped out from the passenger side quickly.
Lawyer: Clara! Stand behind us right now! You are safe now, my dear!
Clara recognized the man immediately as Arthur Vance, her late father's trusted family lawyer.
Clara: Mr. Vance! Thank goodness you arrived here in time to help me!
Lawyer: Elena called my office an hour ago and explained the entire dangerous situation to me.
Margaret and Daniel rushed out onto the front porch, stopping dead in their tracks.
Margaret: What is the meaning of this police presence on my private property, officers?
Lawyer: Mrs. Margaret, we have a warrant to seize all financial records belonging to your estate.