The next morning brought a soft light, but the Whitman estate still felt shrouded in silent tension.

Anna Collins walked through the halls, holding Liam in her arms, eyes alert to every shadow, every movement.

The fever from the night before had lessened slightly, but the suspicion that something was wrong still hung in the air. Every fiber of her body remained on high alert.

She entered the library, where Daniel Whitman was already waiting, seated behind the large, dark wooden desk. His eyes were fixed on her, filled with curiosity and concern.

Anna drew a deep breath, feeling the weight of the moment. For the first time, she would have to voice her suspicions directly to the billionaire, without fear of being dismissed.

“Mr. Whitman…” she began, voice low but firm. “I found something in Liam’s nursery. It’s not just the powder… there are signs that someone is trying to harm him deliberately.”

Daniel raised his eyebrows in surprise. “You’re saying someone inside the mansion would put the baby in danger?”

His disbelief mingled with visible concern. He glanced at Liam, still in Anna’s arms, and his expression shifted from anger to tense worry.

“Yes,” Anna replied, keeping her gaze steady.

“I can’t prove who, but the evidence is there. Every little detail points to someone trying to harm the baby. He trusts only me. Only in my arms does he calm down.”

Daniel remained silent for several seconds, absorbing every word.

For the first time, he realized Anna’s determination wasn’t exaggeration or manipulation—it was real care, true attention, and constant vigilance over his son.

The way she held Liam, the confidence in how she reported the facts, earned Daniel’s growing respect.

“You’re right,” he said finally, his voice firm but gentle. “I’ll take you seriously from now on. Liam trusts you, and that’s what matters most.”

Anna felt immediate relief, but also a quiet tension.

Daniel’s trust was a shield, yet Isabella still watched from the doorway, her cold, penetrating gaze typical of a woman used to controlling everything around her.

Anna knew the wealthy wife wouldn’t easily accept being questioned.

“Do you think you can manipulate the situation to gain influence in this house?” Isabella interrupted, appearing at the library door.

Her voice carried disdain and suspicion, with a faint trace of restrained anger.

“Don’t forget, Anna, you’re just a maid. You have no right to interfere in the Whitman family’s decisions.”

Anna looked at her calmly, despite her racing heart.

“Mrs. Whitman, I’m not manipulating anything. I’m protecting Liam. He needs care, not orders from people who don’t understand what’s happening.”

Isabella scoffed but did not respond immediately. Her eyes scanned Anna, evaluating every gesture, every word.

There was anger, of course, but also a hint of concern she tried to hide.

Anna noticed the nuance and realized that despite the hostility, there was room for Daniel to trust her more and more.

Daniel stood, approaching the two women.

He placed a firm hand on Anna’s shoulder. “Anna is right. The baby trusts her. That’s more important than any resentment or title. You need to understand that, Isabella. This isn’t manipulation—it’s about our child’s safety.”

Isabella stayed silent, jaw tight, eyes fixed on the baby now resting in Anna’s arms.

Liam let out soft whimpers, but his breathing was beginning to steady. Anna tilted her head, whispering gentle, reassuring words.

The connection between them was evident, and even Daniel seemed impressed by the careful attention the maid gave.

“I… I’m not trying to interfere,” Isabella finally said, voice low, almost a whisper. “But you need to understand that… Liam is my son. I… I only want what’s best for him.”

Anna nodded, partially understanding Isabella’s position. But she also knew that as long as the baby’s safety and well-being depended on her, she couldn’t yield to the millionaire’s arrogance or control.

“I want what’s best for him too, Mrs. Whitman. And right now, the best is keeping him safe and calm. He trusts only me. We can’t ignore that.”

Daniel stood by Anna, supporting every word she said. He knew the maid was right, and the baby’s safety came before any social hierarchy.

“Anna will be responsible for every aspect of his care while we investigate what happened,” Daniel said, voice firm and authoritative. “And no one in the house will approach the nursery without authorization.”

Anna felt a mixture of relief and responsibility.

After Daniel left the library to attend to other matters, Anna sat in a nearby chair, still holding Liam, mentally cataloging every detail that could be relevant.

The mysterious powder, the unusual behavior of the baby, the patterns of crying—everything needed to be documented.

Later, back in the nursery, Anna decided to create a secret evidence journal. She took a small notebook, hidden beneath her apron, and meticulously recorded every observation.

Her goal was clear: to have a detailed record of everything happening, ensuring no crucial information would be lost or ignored.

As she noted every detail, Anna felt a glimmer of hope. For the first time, she wasn’t alone.

Daniel recognized her value, Liam trusted her, and even if Isabella continued to be hostile, Anna now had a solid foundation to protect the baby and expose any threat.

When she finished her first entry, Anna sighed, looking down at Liam, who was now resting lightly in her arms, finally calm.

The little body nestled against her, and Anna felt a wave of protective love grow inside her.

The battle was far from over, but she knew every step she took now would be crucial.