The silence in the grand room became heavy as everyone waited for the next move.
Victoria glared at her nephew with deep frustration written across her face.
She expected him to back down like he usually did during family discussions.
Instead, Luciano held his ground and pulled Elena slightly closer to his side.
Victoria: Tell me, Luciano, who is this woman to you?
Luciano: Relax, Victoria. She is my wife.
Victoria froze in place as her eyes widened in utter disbelief and horror.
She gasped loudly and clutched the pearl necklace resting around her neck.
The security guards on the upper balcony exchanged shocked glances with each other.
Victoria: Your wife? She is just a simple housekeeper!
Elena turned her head quickly and stared up at Luciano in total shock.
Her mouth opened slightly as she tried to process the words he had just spoken.
They had spent private moments talking in the estate garden over the past several months.
He had shown her immense kindness, but they had never officially declared any marriage.
Elena: Did you just... claim that you married me?
Luciano: Trust me right now, Elena, and stay right beside me.
He squeezed her hand gently to reassure her that he had a clear plan.
Victoria took a sharp step closer, her anger flaring higher with every passing second.
She could not believe that the primary heir had chosen a servant over wealthy candidates.
Victoria: This is an absolute outrage that will ruin our family reputation forever!
Luciano: If anyone has a problem with my wife, they answer directly to me.
His voice was firm and filled with absolute authority that no one dared challenge.
Victoria pointed an angry finger at Elena's humble brown uniform.
She felt deeply humiliated in front of the entire household staff standing nearby.
Victoria: Look at what she is wearing right now in our main hall!
Victoria: She does not even own a proper dress for this formal mansion!
Luciano: Her clothes do not determine her worth or her dignity in this home.
Elena felt a tear roll down her warm cheek as his words touched her heart.
No one had ever stood up for her with such fierce courage and respect before.
She felt a sudden surge of strength replace her earlier fear and hesitation.
She stood taller beside Luciano and kept her eyes focused on Victoria's angry face.
Victoria: Your father will hear about this ridiculous stunt the moment he returns!
Luciano: My father already knows more about this situation than you think.
Victoria stopped speaking for a moment as a look of doubt crossed her features.
She wondered if the head of the family had secretly approved this unexpected match.
The guards remained motionless, waiting to see how the confrontation would finally end.
Luciano guided Elena toward the grand central staircase away from his aunt's fierce gaze.
Luciano: Come with me upstairs, Elena, where we can talk in private.
Victoria: You have started a war inside this house that you cannot win!
Elena followed Luciano up the marble steps while holding his arm for balance.
She knew that her quiet life as a housekeeper was over forever from this moment.
Yet she had no idea what secret truth Luciano was about to reveal upstairs.