Chapter 5 The Breaking Point

Catherine gave a slight, almost imperceptible nod, granting him the absolute authority to handle the situation. Damien straightened his posture, his voice like ice as he addressed Maya directly. His broad shoulders blocked the light from the window. His decision was seemingly final.

"Your psychological profile is too unstable," he announced coldly. "And your financial demands are an absolute insult to this estate. You are not Beaumont material." His voice left no room for negotiation.

Damien turned his head slightly. "Kevin, call security. Escort Miss... her... off the property immediately."

Maya felt a crushing weight slam into her chest. Her lungs refused to expand. If she lost this job today, Pippa would be thrown out onto the streets by Friday. The thought made her stomach twist violently.

Two burly security guards entered the lounge. They wore black tactical gear. They stepped toward Maya with heavy, intimidating strides. Their boots thudded against the thick carpet.

Diane Adler let out a quiet, triumphant little laugh. "Finally," she whispered to herself, adjusting her designer silk scarf. "The trash takes itself out." She crossed her legs, claiming her victory.

The guards reached Maya. They grabbed her upper arms firmly. Their thick fingers dug into her muscles, bruising her skin right through the thin fabric of her blazer.

Maya struggled slightly. She planted her feet hard against the floor. She twisted her neck, trying to make eye contact with Catherine to plead her case one last time.

Catherine simply looked away. She picked up her crystal glass and took a slow sip of her sparkling water. She was entirely indifferent to Maya's desperation.

Damien turned his back on Maya. He dismissed her existence completely. He raised his wrist and checked the time on his platinum watch.

Suddenly, a horrific, blood-curdling scream echoed down the hallway. It came from the direction of the nursery wing. The sound was raw and filled with primal terror.

A junior maid burst into the lounge. Her face was pale white. Her eyes were wide with panic. "He's not breathing!" she shrieked. "Baby Leo has stopped breathing!"

The crystal glass shattered in Catherine's hand. The sharp shards cut deep into her palm. Blood dripped onto the mahogany table, but she didn't even notice the pain.

Catherine leaped up from her chair. Her aristocratic composure was completely shattered. Primal panic took over her features. She gasped for air.

Damien froze for a split second. The color drained entirely from his face. His icy demeanor cracked. He bolted toward the door, his long legs eating up the distance.

The security guards holding Maya instinctively loosened their grip. The shock of the maid's scream distracted them for a fraction of a second.

Maya violently twisted her shoulders. She dropped her weight and ripped her arms out of their hold. A massive surge of adrenaline flooded her veins. Her vision narrowed to a tunnel.

She didn't run toward the exit. Instead, she sprinted directly after Damien. She pushed her legs to move faster, heading straight for the nursery wing.

Diane Adler, seeing her ultimate chance to secure the position, shoved past a stunned maid. She sprinted down the hall right on Maya's heels, determined to be the hero who saved the day.

Maya pushed past slow-moving servants in the corridor. She shoved a butler out of the way. Her mind automatically entered acute trauma mode. Emotion shut down. Logic took over.

They burst into the grand nursery. It was a chaotic scene. Maids were crying. Expensive wooden toys were overturned on the floor.

Baby Leo was lying in his massive crib. His tiny face was turning a terrifying shade of bluish-purple. He was completely silent. His chest was not moving.

Seraphina Beaumont, the baby's mother, was kneeling on the floor. She was tearing at her own hair in a hysterical panic attack. She was screaming words that made no sense.

Catherine rushed to the crib. She grabbed the wooden rails. "A million dollars!" she screamed, her voice cracking. "I'll give a million dollars to anyone who saves my grandson!"

Damien reached for his phone. His hands were shaking so badly he almost dropped it. He tried to dial the estate doctor. His usual cold control was completely fractured.

Maya assessed the scene in a fraction of a second. The absolute silence meant a total airway obstruction. It was not a partial block. No air was moving.

She calculated the time elapsed in her head. The baby had less than a minute before severe, irreversible brain damage occurred.

Maya lunged toward the crib. Her eyes locked onto the dying infant. She ignored the screaming billionaires around her. She ignored the guards rushing into the room.

Diane Adler suddenly stepped in front of Maya. She used her body weight to block Maya from reaching the crib. Diane's face was desperate.

Maya spotted the baby's bluish lips over Diane's shoulder. She identified the severe airway obstruction. Her pediatric trauma training kicked in. She had to get to that baby now.