Almost Confirmed

Chapter Four

“To you all, my distinguished guests and the builders of Hill City.”

Mr. Samson paused, his eyes sweeping across the grand hall.

After a measured breath, he continued, his voice firm and dignified.

“My apologies for the unfortunate incident at the wedding. All victims have been compensated, and all damages fully settled by the Vandash family.

Tonight, however, I ask you all to welcome my proud granddaughter-in-law… Isabella Korneh.”

Polite applause rippled through the hall.

Phyn smiled faintly, turning toward her mother as she gently swirled the wine in her glass. But the sight she saw made her smile falter.

Elena stood frozen, her face drained of color, mouth slightly open in horror.

Beside her, Gideon mirrored the same stunned expression.

At the front of the hall, Aria beamed, her delight unmistakable, as servants and guests continued clapping.

Then footsteps echoed from above.

Isabella descended the staircase.

The golden silk of her gown flowed elegantly behind her, catching the light with every step.

But the moment her face came into view, concealed beneath a golden mask crafted with refined elegance, the applause faltered.

Within moments, the banquet hall fell into uneasy silence.

Isabella smiled calmly, deliberate and unshaken.

"As expected,” a woman whispered mockingly to her companion. “Another surprise from the Vandash family.”

Another guest covered her mouth nervously. “I just hope this banquet doesn’t turn into another bloodbath. I have children waiting at home.”

Whispers spread like poison through the room.

Mrs. Elena clenched her fists, deeply offended.

Phyn leaned closer to Gideon, gripping his arm tightly. “I made sure she fainted after the electric shock,” she whispered. “I watched it happen.”

Gideon remained composed, though a flicker of surprise crossed his eyes before disappearing.

Mr. Samson, however, watched with calm satisfaction. A pleased smile curved his lips.

“Indeed,” he murmured, “she is worthy of being my granddaughter-in-law. Full of surprises.”

As the murmurs grew louder, he raised his voice.

“This woman is my chosen granddaughter-in-law. From this day forward, she will be the mistress of the Vandash family. Any disrespect toward her is a direct insult to the Vandash name.”

He walked toward Isabella.

She bowed deeply, her forehead nearly touching the floor in a display of utmost respect.

The crowd erupted into applause.

“I hereby announce her…..”

“Stop.”

The single word sliced through the hall.

All eyes turned as Phyn stepped forward, her heels striking the marble floor with fury. Aria remained still, watching carefully, waiting.

"She is not my sister-in-law,” Phyn declared. “I have proof.”

She positioned herself between Mr. Samson and Isabella, grabbing Isabella’s wrist and yanking her hand away.

Gideon quietly slipped through the crowd, disappearing unnoticed.

Isabella lifted her gaze.

“I am not Isabella,” she said calmly.

Gasps echoed through the hall.

Mrs. Elena stormed forward, placing herself directly in front of her.

“Then who are you,” she demanded sharply, “to impersonate my daughter-in-law? Remove that mask at once or else..”

“Or else what?” Isabella snapped, her patience gone.

Nathan leaned toward Mr. Samson, asking quietly if he should intervene.

Mr. Samson shook his head. “Let her speak.”

Elena scoffed, folding her arms. “Remove the mask.”

Isabella glanced briefly at Aria, offering her a reassuring smile, before stepping back onto the podium.

"I am not Isabella Korneh,” she said evenly. “But since you are all desperate to know…”

She paused.

“I am Mrs. Damian Isabella Vandash.”

Silence crushed the room.

“I wore a veil on my wedding day,” she continued firmly. “And I will not reveal my face now. My husband will see me first.

I owe no one else an explanation.”

The hall erupted into stunned applause.

Phyn stormed out into the main house, only to bump into the guard she had asked to erase the videos earlier before the banquet began.

Out of anger, she grabs his hand as he follows cluelessly behind her, when they arrive at the parlor, she turns around, scanning for listeners.

After ensuring safety she asks “Did you delete the video, what happened? Is that lady there Isabella? shouldn't she be unconscious? Did you call the doctor?”

Her anxiousness could be seen but the guard remained silent for some while before speaking up. “Ma’am," he paused, a cracking voice, “You left, but before I could take a step, the young mistress appeared behind me, as she ordered me to get the video footage, I couldn't disobey her orders, so we got it for her. Please don't punish me."

While he spoke Phyn held her breath in terror, she couldn't believe what she was hearing, so she rushed upstairs to Isabella's room, she wanted to confirm herself.

When she arrived at the room, her breath panting, she opened the door in anticipation and to her greatest surprise.

“Indeed, Isabella was not in the room" Phyn fell to the ground immediately, she recalled the guard mentioning Isabella taking the footage. Panting heavily she spoke under her breath, “I’m sure i would be in for a great trouble if Isabella hands the footage to grand father, oh no, oh this can't be real, it can't.”

She couldn't finish her words before tears fell off her eyes, but in her conscious state, she hurried to dial her mother's number.

Mrs. Elena picked the call before it rang, when she heard Phyn’s voice, she hurried out of the banquet hall.

Isabella finally came down, walking towards Aria, they hugged as friends embracing each other.

After a few minutes of exchanging missing wishes and love, Isabella held her hand as she went off to introduce Aria to Mr. Samsom, pleasantries and introduction was quiet, quicker and casual.

After the introductions, guests began exiting the hall.

In Phyn's room, she lay on her bed pleading with her mother with teary eyes “mom, you have to save me, grand pa,” her voice bitter as she continued, “I hurt sister in-law, grandpa is gonna punish me."

Elena, couldn't watch the scene in peace. Meanwhile at the banquet hall, Aria and Isabella moved towards the garden, aiming for a quiet and calm place to speak.

When they finally approached the garden, she calmly loosed free the mask, turning to Aria's face, she smiled, plucking a Lilli, she free smelled the flower while she turned to Aria, her eyes teary, as she spoke, " the Lillies are together, just like we used to be, and will ever be.” E

Emotions swirled along as they hugged themselves in calm and beautiful embrace.

After a short while of playing and chatting, Aria cleared her throat, claiming it was her turn for speech as they were holding answers deep down the heart. She began speaking, “Francrids or love, dying to be the daughter in-law of the Vandash family, and looking at dark roses on the wedding day."

She paused looking at Isabella who seemed to smile and unsure, her innocent face sweet and warm like Ice Adonis flower.

Aria looked deeper at her, trying to sense her eyes before she began speaking again after getting the perfect attention she wanted. “ Isabella, you thought of murdering your husband on your wedding day, and then you stroked my neck, sending me into temporary dark clouds, got shot while saving your father in-law, appeared at your welcome banquet with a mask, now what other game, and give me an explanation.

Besties don't lie."

Isabella grabbed Aria, making her sit on the garden swing. She fixed Lillie on Aria's hair, while trying to calm the already calm Aria.

She began her explanation.

“ First Aria,next time, give me a call, don't sneak in without me, sneaking is good when it's done by both of us." She smiled, watching Aaria who had now turned her face in disagreement, she pulled Aria's face with her hands, making a besties cute kiss while coaxing Aria.

After coaxing aria, she finally got her attention and began a full explanation to aria, " Baby, we need to see a doctor, recently I've been hearing voices in my head, and I have been like a different person, like good in a moment, and the next moment, I feel, I feel deep down that am not the one talking." She paused looking at Aria whose face was almost portraying shock.

She continued, “I've got evidence of what I am saying" Aria grabbed Isabella's hand instantly while screaming evidence in shock. Their eyes met, wide and furious, also in agreement. Isabella didn't need words anymore, only the video from earlier could do the speaking.

After a moment of speechless confirmation, they let go of each other's hand.

Isabella pulled out her phone, as scrolled to her files, assuring Aria for a safe watch, Isabella trolled through, explaining the video, she paused it, turning to Aria, she asked " Do you see how vicious and wicked I looked to her, that's definitely not my personal?”

Aria shook her head in reciprocation, "Yes Isabel baby, just like when you mentioned killing the groom on your wedding day.” “What? Isabella shouted, "this is crude, but let's finish the footage." They went along the video footage, till she stepped on the wire and the electrocution began, paused the video, asking Isabella, "

Baby, you were electrocuted, and still awake? Something is not adding up, isn't this less than an hour to when the banquet began?” Her eyes played more curiosity than her voice and Isabella was calming as the video held the answer.

They played the video again, and to their surprise, Isabella fainted during the electrocution and Phyn came by the door, looking at her poor state, she ignored her, and next, just as pain left the door, Isabella woke up again, like nothing had happened.

This scene scared both of them as they hugged each other in terror, Aria screaming, "That's like a horror movie.” Isabella echoed her, " you are absolutely right.”

Just as they yelled, a maid walked forward, bowing her head, and informed Isabella that Mr.

Samson was seeking her attention.

Calming down, Isabella and Aria stood up. Isabella wears her mask while leaving the garden with plans to complete their conversations later.

On arriving at the banquet, Aria, stands by while Isabella walks towards Mr. Samson, but before she could reach where he sat, the hall turned black and electricity blacked out.

People screamed in the sudden darkness. Snap. Before people could turn out their touch light, Nathan and the guards already protected Mr. Samsom, as they knew this was an attack. Mr. Samson's voice could be heard in the dark as he ordered to protect his granddaughter-in-law.

The lights snapped back on.

Screams filled the hall.

Aria spun around. “Isabella!”

She was gone.

Mrs. Elena rushed in. Phyn followed. Guards scattered. Mr. Samson’s chest heaved as he rose from his seat.

After a long, devastating silence, he spoke.

“Enemies have struck.”

His voice cracked, but only slightly.

“They have taken my granddaughter-in-law.”

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