emChapter 173: Isabe’s Disbelief /em

emChapter 173: Isabe’s Disbelief /em

em(God’s POV) /em

emIsabe ckwood’s face flushed red with indignation as she faced Elena’s calm response. Her voice rose /em

emsharply, cutting through the evening air. /em

em“Who admitted anything? I’m just standing up for my cousin!” /em

emShe gestured dramatically at Elena’s elegant dress. “You’re disgusted with Marcus’s poor health now, /em

emdressing up like a flower to find your next mate.” /em

emHer tone grew more venomous. “Elena, you’re really opportunistic enough!” /em

emElena took another sip of her moonlight wine, her expression remaining perfectlyposed. The liquid /em

emtasted bitter on her tongue, but her voice stayed steady. /em

em“When I hadn’t mentioned severing our mate bond before, you desperately wanted me to divorce Marcus.” /em

emShe paused, letting her words sink in. “But now that I’m proposing to sever the bond, I’m called /em

emopportunistic?” /em

emElena’s green eyes fixed on Isabe with cold determination. “Say whatever you want to say tonight, Isabe.” /em

emHer voice dropped to a warning whisper. “There won’t be another chance after this evening.” /em

emIsabe’s gaze swept across the crowd until she spotted Sandy Parker cowering behind a group of guests. A malicious smile spread across her face as she found a new target. /em

emDespite Sandy supposedly being the Whitmore family’s daughter, she was hiding pathetically in the shadows. Isabe pushed past Elena roughly, her pink gown rustling with each determined step. /em

em“How can someone like this woman be allowed to freeload at what’s supposedly her own weing /em

embanquet?” Isabe’s voice carried across the courtyard, drawing every guest’s attention. /em

emShe pointed directly at Sandy, who shrank further into the crowd. “Look at her! Cowering like a frightened. /em

empup!” /em

emThe guests began murmuring among themselves, their voices creating a buzz of confusion and doubt. /em

em“That timid woman is the Whitmore family’s daughter?” /em

em“She looks nothing like Dorothea Whitmore.” /em

em“Where’s her breeding? Herposure?” /em

emSandy’s face turned deathly pale as dozens of eyes focused on her. Her original n had been simple – wait quietly until the banquet began, then let Elena embarrass herself publicly. /em

emShe would step in as the righteous hero, gaining favor and securing her position in the Whitmore family. Now Isabe had ruined everything by drawing unwanted attention to her. /em

emIsabe forcefully grabbed Sandy’s arm, pulling her from the crowd. “Respond! Defend yourself!” /em

emSandy nced desperately at Elena, hoping for help or guidance. But Elena’s expression remained neutral, /em

emoffering no assistance. /em

em“I’m not…” Sandy stammered weakly, her voice barely audible. /em

emIsabe noticed Sandy looking to Elena for direction. Her rage intensified at this obvious deference. /em

em“Why would a supposed Whitmore family daughter defer to anyone?” Isabe demanded, shaking Sandy’s /em

emarm. /em

emAt that crucial moment, Adrian Whitmore entered the courtyard with Hugo Ashworth at his side. Samuel Whitmore followed closely behind them, his expression grave. /em

emIsabe’s attention was momentarily diverted when she recognized Hugo. This was the man she had previously seen with Elena, whom she had assumed was Elena’s lover. /em

emHowever, her shock deepened when Adrian calmly stepped forward. His voice cut through the crowd’s /em

emmurmurs with quiet authority. /em

em“Miss ckwood, she is not my sister. You don’t need to go to such lengths to persuade her.” /em

emIsabe’s mouth fell open in confusion. “What do you mean she’s not the Whitmore family daughter?” /em

emSandy could only lower her head in shame, tears welling in her eyes. The weight of her deception pressed /em

emdown on her shoulders. /em

emSamuel stepped forward, his dignified presencemanding immediate attention from every guest. /em

emThere has been a mistake,” he announced clearly. “We misidentified the person. Sandy is not my daughter.” /em

emThe revtion sent shockwaves through the gathering. Gasps and exmations rippled through the crowd /em

emlike wildfire. /em

emSomeone called out from the back, “Then who is the real Whitmore family daughter?” /em

emSamuel walked directly to Elena’s side, his chest swelling with unmistakable pride. He ced a protective /em

emhand on her shoulder. /em

em“She is my daughter,” he dered with ringing authority. “Samuel Whitmore’s daughter.” /em

emThe crowd erupted in amazement, voices ovepping in excited discussion. /em

em“This makes much more sense!” /em

em“Look at her temperament – so refined!” /em

em“Her appearance is far superior to that other woman!” /em

emIn the back of the crowd, a masked man stood silently by a high table. His slender fingers slowly caressed his wine ss, the movement deliberate and controlled. /em

emThough he appeared indifferent to the surrounding drama, his ears were focused solely on news about one particr person. While everyone else expressed surprise at learning Elena’s true identity, only he remained /em

emposed. /em

emHe slowly sipped his wine without betraying any emotion, his mask concealing whatever thoughts crossed /em

emhis mind. /em

emIsabe was more shocked than anyone else in the room. Her voice trembled as she stammered inplete /em

emdisbelief. /em

em“How is this possible… she’s clearly the Whitmore family’s daughter…” /em

emThe words came out broken, her usual confidencepletely shattered by this unexpected revtion. /em

emAdrian stepped forward without giving her any face, his protective instincts fully engaged. His voice carried the authority of someone defending his family. /em

em“Regardless of whose daughter Elena was, it didn’t give the ckwood family the right to bully her.” /em

emHe paused, letting his words sink in before continuing with growing intensity. /em

em“The suffering and grievances Elena has endured over the years were half due to the ckwood family’s /em

emtreatment.” /em

emHis eyes fixed on Isabe with cold determination. “Now that she’s the Whitmore family’s precious daughter, /em

emwhat do you have to say about the situation?” /em

emAdrian’s wordspletely stripped away any remaining dignity from the ckwood family’s position. /em