His Wealthy Fiancée Forced His Secret Child's Mother to Work in the Kitchen

The Secret in the Kitchen

The silence in the industrial kitchen was suffocating. Matteo turned his gaze to Victoria, his jaw clenched so tightly it looked as though it might shatter. For months, Victoria had managed the family estate and the restaurant’s finances, promising Matteo that she was helping him build a future. But he had never known that she had hired Elena—his former love—under false pretenses, only to keep her locked in a cycle of emotional abuse.

"Is this true?"

Matteo whispered, his voice dangerously low.

"You knew Elena was Lily's mother, and you forced her to work here under threat of losing her child?"

Victoria scoffed, crossing her arms.

"Matteo, be realistic. Your family would never accept a kitchen maid as the mother of your heir. I did what was necessary to protect our social standing. She signed an NDA in exchange for Lily's trust fund. She's a gold digger."

"I never wanted your money!"

Elena cried out, her voice cracking with raw emotion.

"You told me Matteo signed those papers! You told me he wanted me hidden away so I wouldn't ruin his marriage to a billionaire's daughter!"

Matteo’s heart broke. Years ago, after a brief, passionate romance, Elena had vanished. He had searched for her, only to be told by his own mother and Victoria that she had abandoned him. He never knew she was pregnant, let alone that she had been blackmailed into giving up custody of their daughter, Lily, who was currently being raised by Matteo's sister under the guise of adoption.

Victoria stepped forward, her emerald gown rustling.

"Matteo, think of the merger. If this scandal gets out, the board will ruin us. She is nothing. We are the future."

Matteo’s face went cold as he reached into his pocket.

"The only thing ruined tonight is you,"

Matteo growled, pulling out his phone.