Page 1
Chapter One
Cole
My phone vibrates in my pocket as I reach for the door handle, ready to leave the office. The tailored black tuxedo fits perfectly. Tonight’s gala is a critical event—a gathering of Hollywood elites and investors that Silver Screen Studios cannot afford to miss.
I fish out the phone and glance at the screen. Evelyn. My private chef doesn’t call unless it’s important.
“Evelyn,” I answer, already halfway out the door.
“Mr. Wagner, I hate to bother you, but I thought you should know the nanny quit.”
I freeze mid-step. “What?”
“She left a note on the counter this afternoon,” Evelyn continues, her tone calm but irritated. “Something about the stress of the job being too much for her.”
I grit my teeth. The third nanny in six months. “Did she say anything else?”
“No, just the note.”
“Fine, I’ll call the agency in the morning.” I close my office door behind me and lock it before heading to theelevators.
“Well, with the gala tonight, I thought you’d want to make other arrangements for Robbie,” she says, her voice softening.
“Arrangements? What arrangements?”
“Well, Shawn and I are going to the cirque show tonight,” she says, referring to her husband. “We’ve had tickets for months, remember?”
I glance at my watch. I have to be at the event in less than an hour. Fantastic. “What about Ellis?”
Ellis is my head-of-household and has been with me for over ten years.
“Also unavailable,” she says. “He’s attending a family dinner.”
The elevator doors open, but I don’t step in. I just press my fingers to my temple, trying to suppress the irritation bubbling under the surface. “Fine. I’ll figure something out.”
“Good luck, sir,” Evelyn adds, though her tone suggests she doubts I’ll find it.
I end the call, slip the phone back into my pocket, and turn back to head to my private office suite where my executive assistant works.
Virginia would know what to do. She always knew what to do.
She wasn’t there a moment ago when I walked past herdesk, but maybe she was back.
I step into the private waiting room adjacent to my office, scanning for Virginia. The room is sleek and efficient, just like she is—glass desk, polished surfaces, and not a single thing out of place.
Empty.
I glance at the wall clock. Though she usually doesn’t leave until I do unless I’m working really late, I remember that I gave her the evening off since I was just heading to the gala. She’s gone already. Of course.
I curse under my breath. Efficient, professional, unflappable Virginia—thorough to a fault; her organization keeps everything in my life running smoothly. If anyone could’ve handled this situation, it would’ve been her.
Running a hand through my hair, I take a deep breath. Options. I need options.
The heels of my polished shoes click against the marble floor as I head for the elevator.
My gut instinct is to call the agency tonight, and they would answer. No one turns down a call from me. But I don’t trust anyone they’d send last minute. Robbie is five, and I’m not leaving him with someone I haven’t vetted personally.
So that leaves one of my own people. Silver Screen Studios’ background checks are legendary. I don’t hire anyone in my company whose life hasn’t been combed through.
Cole
My phone vibrates in my pocket as I reach for the door handle, ready to leave the office. The tailored black tuxedo fits perfectly. Tonight’s gala is a critical event—a gathering of Hollywood elites and investors that Silver Screen Studios cannot afford to miss.
I fish out the phone and glance at the screen. Evelyn. My private chef doesn’t call unless it’s important.
“Evelyn,” I answer, already halfway out the door.
“Mr. Wagner, I hate to bother you, but I thought you should know the nanny quit.”
I freeze mid-step. “What?”
“She left a note on the counter this afternoon,” Evelyn continues, her tone calm but irritated. “Something about the stress of the job being too much for her.”
I grit my teeth. The third nanny in six months. “Did she say anything else?”
“No, just the note.”
“Fine, I’ll call the agency in the morning.” I close my office door behind me and lock it before heading to theelevators.
“Well, with the gala tonight, I thought you’d want to make other arrangements for Robbie,” she says, her voice softening.
“Arrangements? What arrangements?”
“Well, Shawn and I are going to the cirque show tonight,” she says, referring to her husband. “We’ve had tickets for months, remember?”
I glance at my watch. I have to be at the event in less than an hour. Fantastic. “What about Ellis?”
Ellis is my head-of-household and has been with me for over ten years.
“Also unavailable,” she says. “He’s attending a family dinner.”
The elevator doors open, but I don’t step in. I just press my fingers to my temple, trying to suppress the irritation bubbling under the surface. “Fine. I’ll figure something out.”
“Good luck, sir,” Evelyn adds, though her tone suggests she doubts I’ll find it.
I end the call, slip the phone back into my pocket, and turn back to head to my private office suite where my executive assistant works.
Virginia would know what to do. She always knew what to do.
She wasn’t there a moment ago when I walked past herdesk, but maybe she was back.
I step into the private waiting room adjacent to my office, scanning for Virginia. The room is sleek and efficient, just like she is—glass desk, polished surfaces, and not a single thing out of place.
Empty.
I glance at the wall clock. Though she usually doesn’t leave until I do unless I’m working really late, I remember that I gave her the evening off since I was just heading to the gala. She’s gone already. Of course.
I curse under my breath. Efficient, professional, unflappable Virginia—thorough to a fault; her organization keeps everything in my life running smoothly. If anyone could’ve handled this situation, it would’ve been her.
Running a hand through my hair, I take a deep breath. Options. I need options.
The heels of my polished shoes click against the marble floor as I head for the elevator.
My gut instinct is to call the agency tonight, and they would answer. No one turns down a call from me. But I don’t trust anyone they’d send last minute. Robbie is five, and I’m not leaving him with someone I haven’t vetted personally.
So that leaves one of my own people. Silver Screen Studios’ background checks are legendary. I don’t hire anyone in my company whose life hasn’t been combed through.
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