Claimed by the CEO Dad

The elevator chimed softly as it reached the top floor of Wolfe Industries. Liana Rae Carson adjusted the strap of her worn leather purse and exhaled. Her blouse clung to her back from the summer heat, and though she’d triple-checked her resume, references, and outfit, anxiety still laced her chest. A job interview for a private nanny position shouldn’t feel this intense. The receptionist greeted her with a polite smile and gestured toward a glass door at the end of the hallway. “Mr. Wolfe will see you now.” Mr. Wolfe. The name sounded familiar. Like something from a foggy dream. Liana nodded and walked through the hallway lined with abstract art and minimalist decor. The office beyond the glass door was expansive, all steel, black leather, and floor-to-ceiling windows that framed the Manhattan skyline. The man standing behind the sleek desk didn’t look up right away. He was tall, broad-shouldered, with jet-black hair that curled slightly at the edges. His navy suit was tailored to perfection. His presence was…magnetic. When he finally glanced up, their eyes locked. Time collapsed. Liana’s throat tightened. Her heart stammered. The sharp scent of bergamot and expensive cologne hit her like déjà vu. His face—God, that face—was sharper than she remembered. But it was him. The man from six years ago. The man she had a one-night stand with and never saw again. He blinked once, slowly. Recognition flickered in his icy gray eyes. Silence stretched between them like a held breath. “I—uh, I’m here for the nanny position,” she managed, forcing a steady voice. “Liana Carson.” He stepped around the desk, his expression unreadable. “Adrian Wolfe.” So it was true. The stranger from that night was none other than Adrian Wolfe, billionaire CEO, tabloid regular, and single father. She suddenly wanted to run. “You’re early,” he said coolly, gesturing to a chair across from him. “I always am.” They sat. His fingers steepled beneath his chin, eyes never leaving her face. Liana resisted the urge to fidget. She could not afford to blow this. She needed the money—needed the fresh start. “My manager interviewed your agency,” he said. “He recommended three candidates. Your credentials are impressive.” “Thank you,” she replied. “But I have a few personal questions.” His tone was sharp, businesslike, but his gaze held a flicker of something deeper. “Have you ever worked with children in trauma or abandonment cases?” “Yes,” she said. “One of the children I cared for last year lost her mother to cancer. And… I also volunteer with an after-school program in the Bronx.” He nodded slowly. “My daughter is five. Her mother left when she was six weeks old.” Liana’s breath caught. “I’m sorry.” “She has no memory of her,” he added. “And I intend to keep it that way.” His voice dropped like a stone. Cold. Final. Liana hesitated, then nodded. “Understood.” Adrian stood abruptly and walked toward the window. His reflection glared back at her through the glass. “My daughter’s name is Ember,” he said. “She’s spirited. Sharp. And sensitive. She’s not good with change.” “I’m patient. And adaptable.” “I hope so,” he murmured. He turned and walked back to his desk, pulling a folder from the drawer. “This job comes with a full apartment within the estate, private car service, and full benefits. The pay is generous, but the expectations are high. Ember’s care is my top priority.” Liana leaned forward. “I won’t let you down.” His fingers brushed against hers as he handed her a contract. Electricity snapped through her skin. She saw it in his eyes—he felt it too. That same impossible pull. That same heat from years ago. “I have one final question,” he said. She swallowed. “Go ahead.” “Did we meet before this?” he asked quietly. She hesitated. Lie or tell the truth? “I’m not sure,” she replied, voice barely above a whisper. “You… look familiar.” A faint smile ghosted across his lips. “Likewise.” Before she could recover, the office door burst open. “Daddy!” a tiny voice chirped. Liana turned as a little girl bounded into the room—chestnut curls, hazel eyes, and dimples that lit up her whole face. Adrian’s entire demeanor changed. He dropped to one knee, arms open. “Hey, baby girl.” She crashed into his arms with a giggle. Liana’s heart clenched. It was the first time she’d seen him smile, truly smile, and it nearly broke her. “This is Miss Liana,” Adrian said, standing with Ember still wrapped around his neck. “She might be your new nanny.” Ember looked at Liana, tilting her head. “You’re pretty,” she declared. Liana laughed. “So are you.” Ember beamed. “Wanna see my room?” Adrian raised a brow. “She’s fast.” Liana followed them out of the office, down a private elevator and into the underground parking where a black SUV waited. The estate was outside the city—an architectural marvel of glass and stone nestled on the Hudson River. Ember gave Liana a tour that included stuffed unicorns, tiny tiaras, and a glitter-filled bookshelf. The girl was bright, curious, and hungry for affection. They spent the rest of the afternoon together, reading picture books and playing in the garden while Adrian handled business calls nearby. By evening, Liana felt an ache she hadn’t felt in years—a longing to stay. Adrian returned just as the sun dipped low. Ember was asleep on a lounge chair beside Liana, her head in her lap. He stood there for a moment, watching them. “She’s already attached to you,” he said softly. Liana brushed Ember’s curls from her cheek. “She’s easy to love.” Adrian’s eyes lifted to hers. “Would you be willing to start tomorrow?” A swell of emotion rose in Liana’s chest. “Yes. I would.” “Then welcome to the Wolfe estate,” he said, turning away. She watched him go, heart thudding. But as she glanced down at Ember’s sleeping face, she froze. Her breath caught. Around the girl’s tiny neck hung a delicate gold chain with a charm at the end—a silver moon pendant. The exact same one Liana had worn that night six years ago. Her blood turned to ice. It wasn’t just a one-night stand. Ember…was wearing her necklace.