Adrian's gaze froze on Gabriel. His jaw tightened, while both hands remained pressed against the table. “Did Dad just say... he was going to marry her?” Gabriel did not flinch. “That’s right.” Silence. No one dared to speak. Mariana lowered her head. Liliana remained rooted to her seat, as though the announcement had just robbed her of the ability to think. Adrian let out a quiet laugh. There was not the slightest hint of happiness in it. “Is this a joke?” “No.” “Are you serious, Dad?” “Completely serious.” Adrian slowly shook his head. “That’s impossible.” He rose from his chair and walked a few steps before turning back to look at Gabriel. “For years, you rejected every woman who tried to get close to you. And now...” His gaze shifted to Mariana. “You’ve chosen to marry a housekeeper?” Mariana clenched her fingers beneath the table. “I’m sorry, Mr. Adrian....” “I’m not finished speaking.” Adrian’s tone remained flat. It was precisely that calmness that made the atmosphere even more oppressive. Gabriel shot his son a sharp look. “Watch what you say.” “I am.” Adrian looked at Mariana again. “If she knew her place, she should have refused to sit at this table.” Mariana drew a deep breath. “I did refuse, Mr. Adrian.” “Then why are you still here?” “Because Mr. Gabriel ordered me to.” Adrian gave a faint smile. “Orders can be refused.” “Not by me.” Mariana’s answer drew a quiet scoff from Adrian. “Interesting.” Liliana, who had been silent until then, finally lifted her face. “My mother is only doing her job.” Adrian’s gaze immediately shifted to her. “So you’re her daughter.” Liliana slowly nodded. “That’s right.” “I hope you understand one thing.” The man’s gaze was so sharp that it seemed to make the air in the room colder. “Never expect your life to change just because your mother marries my father.” Liliana met Adrian’s stare without blinking. “I have never expected anything from the Giordano family.” “Oh, really?” “I came here only to pick up my mother.” Adrian let out a soft chuckle. “Everyone always has a reason that sounds noble.” Liliana clenched her fists beneath the table. “Son.” Gabriel’s voice broke through the tension again. “That’s enough.” “No, Dad.” Adrian turned his head. “This is nowhere near enough.” He stepped toward Mariana. The woman instinctively stood. “I’m sorry if my presence makes you uncomfortable, Mr. Adrian.” “This isn’t about being comfortable.” “Then what is it about?” “It’s about the Giordano family.” Mariana fell silent. “You’ve only worked in this house for two weeks.” “That’s right.” “Two weeks.” Adrian repeated the words with a slow nod. “And in that short amount of time, you managed to make my father decide to marry you.” Mariana’s face immediately went pale. “It’s not what you think, sir.” “Then what is it?” “I never asked for any of this.” “Really?” Adrian’s gaze shifted to Gabriel. “You believe that just like that?” Gabriel rose from his chair. “I know Mariana far better than you think.” “You’ve only known her for two weeks.” Gabriel smiled faintly. “Who says that?” His words made Adrian frown. “What do you mean, Dad?” “I knew her before she started working in this house.” Now Adrian was not the only one who was shocked. Mariana slowly lifted her face as well. Their gazes met for a moment. Gabriel let out a quiet sigh. “Mariana isn’t a stranger to me.” “Dad...” “I met her several months ago.” Adrian froze. “Why have you never told me that?” “Because it wasn’t time yet.” Silence filled the room once more. For the first time since the announcement, Adrian felt that there was something he didn’t know. And he didn’t like that feeling. He had always known everything that happened in the Giordano family. But this time... His father was hiding something. Adrian’s gaze returned to Mariana. The woman was still standing with her head bowed. For some reason, the calmer Mariana appeared, the harder it became for him to trust her. To him, there was no way all of this had happened by chance. Something had to be hidden. And Adrian swore... He would uncover everything.