Alex carried Maya inside, her wet clothes clinging to her body, and gently sat her down on the bed. His eyes were filled with concern and fury, the two emotions battling for dominance. He knelt beside her, his hands gently brushing her hair back from her face.
"Maya," he said softly, yet urgently, "who did this? How did you fall into the pool?"
Maya shook her head, still disoriented from the near-drowning experience. "I... I don't know, Alex. I was just sitting by the pool, and then... then I was in the water."
Alex's jaw tightened, his anger simmering just beneath the surface. "Change into something dry. I'll take care of this." His voice was cold, determined.
Maya nodded, sensing the intensity of his emotions. She stood up slowly, still shaky, and headed to the bathroom to change out of her wet clothes.
Meanwhile, Alex stormed downstairs, his expression dark and menacing. He gathered all the household staff in the main hall, his eyes scanning each face with a dangerous intensity.
"Who pushed Maya into the pool?" he demanded, his voice echoing through the room.
The staff exchanged nervous glances, but no one spoke up. The silence only fueled Alex's rage. "If no one confesses, I'll find out myself, and the consequences will be severe."
Still, no one stepped forward. Alex's patience snapped. He turned on his heel and began a methodical search of the house, his instincts guiding him. He found the jealous maid hiding in a storage room, her eyes wide with fear as she realized she had been caught.
"You," Alex said, his voice a deadly whisper. "You tried to hurt her."
The maid trembled, her eyes pleading for mercy. "I... I didn't mean to, Mr. Alex. Please, I was just—"
Alex didn't let her finish. His fury was beyond words. He pulled out his gun and, without hesitation, shot her. The sound of the gunshot echoed through the mansion, sending waves of fear through everyone present.
Alex turned back to the assembled staff, his eyes cold and unforgiving. "Let this be a warning. If anyone tries to hurt Maya, you will not live to regret it."
His dark, dangerous voice and the brutal demonstration of his wrath left everyone terrified. The maids and other staff members nodded frantically, their faces pale with fear. Alex holstered his gun and took a deep breath, trying to calm the storm within him.