Page 35 of The Nanny Contract

She held her phone up so I could view the screen. I squinted and noticed that it was a headline for a news article.

Nanny or Gold Digger? Westbrook Heir’s Controversial Relationship Raises Questions.

My blood ran cold as I skimmed the scathing words contained within the exposé. There were allegations of social climbing, comments about my “suspicious background,” and thinly veiled implications that I was using Logan for financial gain.

Each of these things was reportedly told to the blog writer by an “insider source.”

I immediately knew that the source was Veronica.

If I wasn’t so embarrassed by the article, I’d be furious with her.

How could anyone question my motives? I’d been hired to be a nanny. I was just doing my job.

Unless they’d found out about my kiss with Logan, which had happened only a few hours before.

There’s no way anyone could know, I thought.

Suddenly, it seemed like the room was shrinking. I started to feel a slight dizziness as I realized that everyone in the room was looking at me. And it wasn’t paranoia or delusional thinking—they were gawking.

Before I knew it, Logan appeared next to me, still smiling as brightly as before.

He must not have seen it.

At the same time, Dr. Evans appeared next to us wearing a concerned expression.

“Logan,” he said, clearing his throat and holding his phone in Logan’s view, “you might want to see this. It’s stirring up some talk and I thought you should be aware.”

Logan skimmed the article, his expression changing as he absorbed each line.

I searched his face for reassurance, but he avoided my gaze. The wall of silence between us felt endless.

Guests around us watched, their whispers amplifying as they awaited Logan’s reaction.

When Logan finally spoke, his voice was controlled but cold. “This is outrageous. Casey is here because he’s our nanny. He’s not an opportunist.”

I raised my hand. “Logan, you don’t have to defend me. It’s very clear where everyone stands.”

Dr. Evans shook his head. “Logan, I think you need to come with me and speak to a few of the hospital bigwigs. They’ve seenthe article, and I think a reassuring, calming conversation might be in order.”

I waited, eagerly hoping that Logan would choose to stay and talk with me. I needed reassurance and comfort more than some hospital executives from Pinehurst Medical.

Logan looked at me with sympathy in his eyes.

“This is hurtful,” I said, my voice nearly trembling as I tried to maintain my composure. “Being seen as a scandal is not what I want.”

Logan was obviously frustrated and uncomfortable with all the public attention.

He frowned at me. “Can we discuss this later? You’re making a scene and that’s exactly what they want.”

Making a scene?

I was gutted by his response.

Before I could answer, Dr. Evans placed his hand on Logan’s back and guided him away from me toward a group of men in stiff suits.

Veronica eyed me with a disdainful smile. “Fame doesn’t come cheap, Casey. But perhaps that’s what you wanted all along?”

I shook my head coldly. “Veronica, I don’t care about your family’s money. But it’s clear that you’d rather see Logan miserable than happy.”