More suspiciously, the nanny never referred to Jarrod as Mr. Schultz.

Knowing Nicole's aversion to hearing Jarrod's name, the nanny always called him "that person" instead, carefully avoiding his surname.

As Nicole's hands trembled, she compared the newest photos with earlier ones and noticed a troubling detail. Austin's fingernails were untrimmed, appearing to have been neglected for weeks.

This was unlike the nanny, who knew to trim Austin's nails regularly to prevent him from scratching himself during his anxiety attacks at night.

The uncut nails in the recent photos indicated a lack of attention to Austin's needs, a stark contrast to the meticulous care the nanny had provided for years. Normally, such a small thing would have gone unnoticed, but Austin wasn't just any child. His needs were specific, and the nanny had always catered to them with precision. To Austin, the nanny was like a grandmother.

With growing concern, Nicole sent a message, trying to sound casual.

“It's been so long since I've heard Austin's voice. I'd love to hear."

The reply came quickly. "Miss Lawrence, I'll record his voice secretly and send it when the others aren't around. Don't worry. Austin is fine. He hasn't mentioned you at all."

Nicole chose not to respond, her lips tightening in a thin line.

That last sentence of the reply struck her as entirely unnecessary, heightening her suspicions and leaving a chill in her heart. The nanny knew how sensitive her own heart was to such remarks. How could the nanny tell her that Austin hadn't even mentioned her? The nanny knew it was a cruel jolt to her, a stark reminder that her only family might not need her anymore.

The nanny had been working for Nicole not just for a year or two, but for seven solid years. They had grown to rely on each other. The nanny, having no children of her own, showed no signs of any weaknesses that might lead her to harm Austin, even under duress.

Nicole had unshakeable faith in the nanny. A sudden change in the nanny's demeanor after seven years didn't make sense.

Nicole's mind raced to the only conclusion that seemed plausible. The person she was communicating with now wasn't the nanny she knew.

A cold fear gripped Nicole. If this was not her trusted nanny, then where was she?

Nicole had been explicit with Jarrod that Austin needed that very nanny, and Jarrod had agreed to have that nanny remain involved in Austin's care, regardless of any other nannies. But now...

Later that night, a video arrived swiftly. It showed Austin reciting a poem, with a woman's voice in the background. “Wow, Austin, you're doing so well! Come here, let me wipe your sweat. Is that okay? You're so warm..."

It was Vicki's voice.

Nicole was taken aback by how respectfully and obediently Austin interacted with Vicki.

The emotion Nicole felt was unusual. It was not the kind of anger that typically flared from jealousy, but a discomfort stemming from how unnaturally obedient Austin seemed. At his age, such a high level of respect and compliance toward someone new was unsettling. No child behaved as such. What was the matter with Austin?

In the video, a pair of slender hands gently wiped Austin's forehead.