The billionaire became a cook to test the woman his mother chose, and what she did when nobody important was watching ended everything

By 1:00 AM, the mansion had fallen completely silent.

Adrian slipped out of his staff quarters in the east wing and walked quietly down the darkened hallway toward his private library. He needed access to his secured satellite terminal; an international acquisition in Tokyo required his digital signature before morning.

Using a hidden keycard, he unlocked the heavy oak door and stepped into the plush, leather-bound office. He didn't turn on the main lights, relying only on the blue glow of his encrypted monitor.

He was halfway through signing the digital documents when he heard the faint click of a door handle outside.

Adrian immediately minimized the screen and stepped behind the velvet drapery lining the floor-to-ceiling windows.

The library door creaked open. A beam of flashlight swept across the room, illuminating the rows of rare books, the marble bust of Adrian’s grandfather, and finally resting on the heavy steel floor safe behind the mahogany desk.

Vanessa walked into the room, wearing a silk nightgown and carrying a small brass tool kit.

"Where does he keep it?" she muttered to herself under her breath, shining the flashlight over the desk drawers. "Evelyn said the Mercer family crest ring was brought here last week..."

Adrian watched from the shadows, his expression hardening.

Vanessa knelt beside the floor safe, wiping sweat from her forehead. She pulled out a small piece of paper from her pocket and tried a series of numbers. Click. Denied.

"Dammit," she cursed softly, slamming her palm against the steel door. "If I don't get my hands on that engagement proof soon, my father's creditors are going to freeze our accounts by Friday."

Adrian felt a cold wave of clarity sweep over him. She wasn't just cruel; she was desperate. Her family’s firm wasn't thriving as they claimed—it was drowning in debt.

Suddenly, her phone vibrated in her pocket. She snatched it up.

"I told you not to call me while I'm in this house!" she whispered furiously into the receiver. "I'm working on it! Once Evelyn sees me wearing the family ring, she’ll force Adrian to sign the marriage contract without a prenup. Just hold off the bank for three more days!"