'Ms CEO's Baby Daddy Is the Merchant of Death' Cast Guide: The Actors Behind the ReelShort Drama

The cast of “Ms CEO’s Baby Daddy Is the Merchant of Death” brings together familiar faces from television, film, and the growing world of vertical dramas.

The ReelShort drama “Ms. CEO's Baby Daddy Is the Merchant of Death” blends romance, family conflict, and hidden identities into a fast-paced vertical series.

The story centers on a powerful arms dealer who secretly reconnects with the CEO he once shared a one-night stand with—only to discover that they have a daughter together.

Bringing the story to life are actors Nikki Leigh, Nick Puya, and Scarlett Shields, along with several supporting actors who help shape the drama around the Hayes and Reed families.

Here’s a closer look at “Ms. CEO's Baby Daddy Is the Merchant of Death” cast behind the series.

Scarlett Shields, Nick Puya, and Nikki Leigh in a behind-the-scenes photo for "Ms. CEO's Baby Daddy is the Merchant of Death" | Source: instagram/missnikkileigh

Nikki Leigh as Scarlett Hayes

At the center of the story is Scarlett Hayes, the determined CEO of Hayes Group and a devoted mother trying to protect her daughter amid family pressure and business struggles.

The character is played by Nikki Leigh, an American actress, model, and host originally from Orange County, California. Leigh first rose to wider recognition after being featured in Playboy magazine in 2012, and she has since built a career across television, film, and digital productions.

Leigh studied at California State University, Fullerton, where she graduated with honors in sociology. Outside acting, she has also hosted shows and interviewed athletes for Radar Online and even runs the Longevity Junk podcast.

Her acting career includes appearances in projects such as “Two and a Half Men,” “NCIS,” “The Bold and the Beautiful,” “The Wedding Ringer,” and Lifetime’s “Open Marriage.” She also appeared in the action film “Final Shot” and the thriller “Do Not Reply.”

Nikki Leigh at the Los Angeles premiere of "Sentimental Value" on November 5, 2025 | Source: Getty Images

In the vertical drama space, Leigh previously appeared in “Step Aside, I’m the King of Capital,” where she played CEO Freya Sterling, another strong female lead navigating a complicated marriage arrangement.

Away from the screen, Leigh often shares her passion for fitness, mental health awareness, and travel with her large online following.

Nick Puya as Connor Reed

Opposite Leigh is Nick Puya, who plays Connor Reed, the mysterious billionaire arms dealer and head of Dominion Tech who hides his identity while posing as a truck driver.

Puya was born on October 11, 1994, in South Florida, and began pursuing acting when he was just 19 years old. The youngest of three brothers, he also has family roots in Naples and Calabria, Italy.

Nick Puya as Connor Reed and Scarlett Shields as Summer Hayes in "Ms. CEO's Baby Daddy Is the Merchant of Death" | Source: instagram/reelshortapp

Standing 6'4", Puya brings a commanding presence to the role of Connor Reed, a character balancing danger, secrecy, and newfound fatherhood.

His acting credits span both television and vertical dramas. Among the projects listed in his filmography are “Trapped in the Rocky Mountains,” “Murder in Nashville,” and “All Us Animals.”

Puya has also appeared in several vertical series, including “The Godfather’s Secret Lover,” “Six Years Too Late to Love Her,” “One More Taste of Love,” “Boss! U Almost Got Her,” and “Hold Me Tight, Mr. Firefighter.”

In addition to acting, Puya has trained in a wide range of performance skills, including improvisation, voice work, and physical activities such as weightlifting, surfing, and wrestling.

Scarlett Shields as Summer Hayes

Playing the couple’s daughter Summer Hayes is young actor and model Scarlett Shields.

According to production information, Shields began modeling when she was just 18 months old, later appearing in print, commercial, and lifestyle campaigns.

Her character Summer is a key emotional anchor in the story. Raised by her mother, she struggles with being bullied for not knowing her father, until Connor Reed reenters her life and vows to protect his family.

Scarlett Shields as Summer Hayes in "Ms. CEO's Baby Daddy Is the Merchant of Death" | Source: instagram/reelshortapp

Despite her young age, Shields has already appeared in several vertical series. Her credits include “When Broken Hearts Beat Again,” “Ex-Convict Nanny and Billionaire Single Dad,” “How We Measure Guilt in Bed,” and “Blood and Silver: Rise of the Alphas Rejected Mate.”

Managed through a family-run social media account, Shields shares glimpses of her acting journey online alongside her mother.

Scarlett Shields as Summer Hayes in "Ms. CEO's Baby Daddy Is the Merchant of Death" | Source: instagram/reelshortapp

Supporting Cast

Alongside the three leads, the series also features a broader supporting cast that helps expand the story’s family and corporate conflicts. These include Gregory Joseph Pekar as Richard Reed, Kyle Colton as Cypher, Allen Perada as Stephen Hayes, Celine Planata as Danielle Hayes, Jonah Robinson as Bennett Whitmore, Camille Carida as Lynn Hayes, Katie Mary Garland as Evelyn, and Isabella Hicks as Chloe Hart.

Together, the cast brings the high-stakes romance and family drama of “Ms. CEO’s Baby Daddy Is the Merchant of Death.” The series first aired on ReelShort on February 1, 2026.