Clara, now out of the pool and wrapped in a towel provided by a considerate guest, managed a grateful smile towards Michael. “Thank you,” she said, her voice a little stronger now. “Not just for the card, but for standing up for me.”

Michael nodded, offering a warm smile in return. “It was the least I could do,” he replied. “No one deserves to be treated like that.”

With the mood thoroughly shifted, the party atmosphere began to reinvigorate, this time with a sense of camaraderie and respect. Clara went back to her duties, but now she was greeted with smiles and kind words from the guests who had reconsidered their priorities, inspired by Michael’s example.