Page 29 of The Nanny Contract
But not today. Not when faced with the Mercers.
“Whoa,” Henry said, reaching out to grab the watch. “That’s cool.”
Logan frowned, shaking his head. “That’s unnecessary.”
Helen ignored Logan’s comment.
Instead, she beamed at Henry, “It’s actually a limited edition; one of only three in the world. Now you own it.”
Betsy swirled her glass of brandy, leaning back in her chair at the head of the table. Her southern voice was laced with sarcasm. “Well, that is sothoughtful,” she drawled. “Nothing says stable upbringing like giving a teenager a watch that costs more than most people’s houses.”
Helen frowned at Betsy’s remark and fired back, “We simply believe he deserves the best.”
The clink of Logan’s glass caught my attention as he set it on the table. “What Henry deserves—in fact, what he needs—is guidance and support. He does not need extravagant bribes.”
Helen pursed her lips. “Bribes? That’s a very strong word, Logan. We are simply showing our grandson that we care.”
Betsy interjected, her eyes twinkling. “Care, huh? Funny how that looks like guilt from where I’m sitting.”
Helen’s demeanor altered. “We’re here because we’re concerned about Henry’s environment. Certain things have changed…”
Helen looked at me with disdain in her eyes. “A boy his age needs structure,” she added.
Logan’s response was fast and firm. “And Henry gets that here with me.”
“Logan, can you be sure about that?” Robert asked, leaning forward. “The press hasn’t exactly painted this household in the best light recently.”
Logan’s face went dark, and I felt my stomach tighten.
Betsy smiled sweetly. “Oh yes, the press. I always forget you two are such avid readers of the tabloids. How quaint.”
Finally, Helen’s mask of politeness disappeared completely. “This isn’t about the tabloids, Betsy. This is about stability and what’s best for Henry.”
Logan scoffed. “And you think a six-figure watch is what’s best for him?”
Helen shook her head. “What’s best for Henry is raising him in an environment that’s not filled with…”
She looked at me again. “Questionable influences.”
I had no idea why Helen Mercer harbored such hatred for me when we’d barely exchanged two words. Still, the pointed edge in her tone made it clear that she had a bone to pick.
Logan stood up abruptly. His chair scraped the floor, surprising me.
“Helen,” he said, “if you have something to say, say it.”
Helen held up her hands as if she was innocent, then gestured toward the overpriced watch. “I’m just saying maybe it’s time to consider who’s best suited to give Henry the life he deserves. Robert and I have been saving money for years.”
Betsy scoffed with confidence. “Helen, darling, if we’re discussing suitability based on bank balances, let’s just say I’ve bought yachts that cost more than your net worth combined.”
Helen rolled her eyes. “How would you possibly know anything about our finances?”
Betsy sipped her brandy casually. “Three million, last I checked. Or was it four? Forgive me, the numbers are so… understated, they barely register.”
Robert’s jaw dropped open. “Are you kidding me, Betsy? Of course you’d use your shady connections to pry into our private finances. Have you no sense of decency?”
Betsy poured herself another glass as she added, “For two readers of the tabloids such as yourselves, you’ll already know my net worth was pegged at six-hundred-million.”
The room was suddenly silent.