5

I took a deep breath and calmed myself by helping Elise cook breakfast. Two other maids were setting out the plates and utensils in the dining room. I couldn't concentrate at all; what should I do next?

Being a nanny is tough.

I can't predict the boys' behavior, especially now that they're entering their teenage years. And Skylar and Shawn's constant bickering is exhausting. They're harder to manage than any of my previous targets.

So far, my job has always gone smoothly. I've been spying for Thomas for over five years.

Thomas is a business tycoon in his late forties, not to be underestimated. He has an impeccable track record, and his businesses thrive wherever he plants them. He's also my savior. Twelve years ago, Thomas found me dying in the woods during one of his early morning fox hunts and saved my life.

Our relationship is symbiotic. Whenever he faces a rival, I step in through... alternate and darker channels. This time, our target is Dawson Hewitt.

Thomas wants to take over Dawson's business. I want to destroy Dawson's life. But this mission won't be easy.

My thoughts drifted to our conversation last night when Thomas called me.

...

"You managed to get into Dawson's house. What now? Did you find anything useful?" Thomas sounded eager—rushed, even.

"It's only my first night here, Thomas. What exactly did you expect?"

"You've been in Dawson's house for twelve hours. No leads yet, Rachel?"

I swear I'd punch him in the face if he was standing before me.

"I work here as a nanny, Thomas. I could have done so much more if you'd hired me as your secretary or VP during the merger! Besides, Dawson is hardly ever home."

"Yes, but don't you want your son back? If you want him to acknowledge you as his mother, we can't just go through the business route—or have you seduce Dawson. Your son will end up hating you for being the woman who ruined his mother's marriage."

"Well, you're not wrong." I licked my suddenly dry lips.

"You'll find a way to seduce Dawson, one way or another."

"The problem is, Dawson's younger brother keeps showing up here."

"Theodore Hewitt? Makes sense... I ran into him a couple of times in Philly. I guess he's handling Dawson's business too."

"So what do I do?"

"Theodore is trickier than Dawson. He's smart. If you can, take them both down. I'll help from my end."

"Take down Theo? He has nothing to do with my grudge, Thomas."

"Oh, Rachel... he could become a major obstacle. Best to eliminate him as well."

...

I never wanted to involve Theo in this revenge. And Thomas' request completely ruined my mood this morning.

To make matters worse, Theo arrived just as the boys got into a fight and intervened to break it up.

The guy looked cute—messy hair, sleepy eyes—and I hate feeling this way. No matter what Thomas says, I can't afford to get attached to Theo.

"Rachel!" Elise's voice snapped me out of my thoughts.

I blinked. "What?"

She handed me a plate of sausages. "They started breakfast. Hurry up and take this to the dining room."

I quickly carried the plate and made my way out of the kitchen. I could already hear the boys chattering.

When I looked into the room, Skylar, Shawn, Dawson, Quinn, and, yes, Theo were already at the table.

I nodded politely and placed the plate of sausages on the table. My eyes briefly met Dawson's.

"How was yesterday? Did everything go well?" Dawson asked.

"Fine, sir." My eyes met Skylar's for a moment.

"Well, if everything's fine... then maybe you could ask Theo to stop coming over so much, right?" Quinn suddenly chimed in. "We have a perfectly capable nanny now!"

Was that a dig at me?

"What's wrong with Theo staying here? We have plenty of rooms. Besides, I'm sure he gets lonely living alone in his apartment," Dawson replied, confused.

"Theo has to live his own life, Dawson. Find someone, get married eventually..." Quinn forced a small laugh. "Spend all his time here with the kids? That's just wasting his chances. I don't want to feel guilty if he ends up alone."

Theo just shrugged. "I'll be fine."

Quinn's face turned red, obviously holding back anger.

"If you're so busy with business, Theo, help your brother, not replace him. Let Dawson spend time with his own family. Don't try to take over his role here."

This is Dawson's household. He's so busy chasing business deals that he's forgotten how to be a father, which is a real obstacle for me.

And now, with Theo stepping in and becoming a father figure to the boys?

Great. Theo's presence throws my whole plan out of whack.

"What?" Theo's voice had a sharp edge to it.

Dawson turned to Quinn, annoyed. "We're having breakfast, Quinn! Knock it off!"

Suddenly, Quinn stood up, grabbed a glass, and turned to me. "Why are you standing there? Enjoying the gossip?"

Oh, I'm enjoying watching you fall apart, Quinn!

I remained standing, my eyes fixed on her. Elise's rules clearly stated that the nanny would stay in the dining room with the children. I was just following protocol.

I saw Quinn throw the glass at me as Dawson and Theo shouted—

Clap! I caught it cleanly. Calmly, I put it back on the table.

"Anything else, ma'am?" I asked flatly.

Quinn screamed and stormed out of the dining room, stamping her feet. Dawson followed.

The kids looked shocked to see Quinn lose control like that. Theo quickly stepped in to calm them down, and I could see the sincerity in his eyes.

"I'll drive you both to school, okay?" Theo looked from Skylar to Shawn. They nodded weakly, still shaken. "Finish your breakfast. We'll leave in ten minutes."

Theo stood and walked over to me. Behind his glasses, those hazel eyes looked sharp and intoxicating. Damn, what's happening to me?

"Are you okay, Rachel?" he whispered.

"I'm fine, sir."

"Sorry about what happened."

No need to apologize. You may be the key to my success here, Theo.

I never expected Dawson's home life to be so chaotic. Frankly, I might not need to lift a finger—his household is already on the verge of collapse. He's dragging his whole family down into hell.

*

Mia came jogging into the kitchen from the back pavilion just as I entered. She was slightly out of breath as she opened her hand to me.

"This was in the laundry," Mia said, showing me Skylar's pin. "Hurry and put it on him, Rachel. I don't want Young Master Skylar to get in trouble at school."

"Thank you, Mia."

I turned and hurried to the front as the kids were about to leave with Theo. When I got there, I saw Theo just closing the car's back door, where the kids were already sitting.

The morning sun hit Theo perfectly, and a gentle breeze lifted his hair. His formal look made him swoon-worthy, especially with those glasses perched on his nose. He was a true family man's dream.

My heart quickened as I approached him.

I held out Skylar's pin. "Mia found it in the laundry."

"All right, get in. We're leaving now."

I blinked. "What?"

"Get in the car. We'll drop the kids off and pick up your new uniform."

"But I was supposed to get my uniform with Peter, sir." I protested. "I already told you that, didn't I?"

"I'm not going to argue about this, Rachel. And I don't want the kids to be late for school."

Damn it.

I had no choice but to get in the car and take the passenger seat. The kids were obviously surprised to see me. I turned around and handed the pin to Skylar.

"Can you put it on yourself? Or do you want me to help you?"

Skylar didn't say anything, just grabbed the pin without saying a word. Shawn, on the other hand, looked excited as Theo started the car and drove away from the mansion.

"Uncle Theo, I want you to take us to school every morning," Shawn said happily. "It's way cooler than getting dropped off by the driver or the school bus."

"I'll try, champ," Theo replied with a big grin and a quick glance back at the boys.

The moment hit me. The one who was supposed to be the head of the family was nowhere to be found, and Quinn, the supposed heart of the family, seemed completely numb.

Dawson's children lived such a pitiful life despite all their wealth. The only real affection they received came from Theo, who wasn't a parent. Ironic.

"Thank you, Uncle Theo!" Shawn beamed.

This should have been a moment I shared with Dawson—him taking the kids to school. But with Theo? Being around him made me feel increasingly insecure.

A man as calm as still water was often the most dangerous opponent. I couldn't read him, but I had a gut feeling: Theo was a fine gentleman—the kind of man who's the hardest to win over.

God, what am I going to do?