Chapter 5

Subconsciously, Isabella's hand went to press the button on the wheelchair which made her retreat away from the door. She had almost escaped from the living room when she heard her mother's voice.

"Isn't that my daughter? Isabella," the older woman called.

Reluctantly and with shaking hands, Isabella had to press the button that would take her back to them.

"Welcome, Ma'am," she greeted, and was surprised when her mother laughed out loud. For as long as she could remember, there was only three people who had ever smiled genuinely to her in the Yates household.

"Ma'am? Isabella loves to joke a lot, doesn't she?" Hazel chuckled, directing her question at her husband who had an equally wide grin on his face.

"She does. She got married two days ago and decided to call you ma'am. Will you correct yourself, Isabella?" Though Lucas' voice was gentle, Isabella could sense the underlying warning in it.

But she still didn't know what to address her mother as except 'ma'am', for that was what she had been calling the woman since, after she was punished countless times for calling her Mom.

"Mr and Mrs Yates, could you excuse us please? Mrs Hunt's presence is required at the banquet hall," David stepped in, bowing slightly at the couple. Turning to look at Isabella, he asked,"Shall we?"

Isabella gave a gentle nod and was about to follow him when Lucas stopped them.

"You can't stop us for greeting our daughter, can you? Alright, we know she has to perform out duties but we need her to help us with something first," he said, sharing a knowing look with his wife.

Hazel took the cue and fished out a folder from her bag, extending it to Isabella.

"There is a pen in it. Sign it before going," she ordered.

Isabella collected the folder and signed it without any objections, since she was used to it anyway. She just wanted to escape from them as soon as possible, as she still needed to listen and practice her speech.

Scribbling her name, the only word she could spell, in the designated section, she handed the folder back to her parents.

"Let's go."

With Angela behind her, she wheeled herself out of the large front doors.

★★★

The atmosphere was merry, with people of all age range strolling around the dimly lit hall as they mingled among one another. Each person, depending on his or her social class, found someone to discuss with. 

Nicholas was in the middle of the hall, surrounded by men of different ages who wanted to seek one or another kind of favour from him. With his usual stoic face, he catered to their questions and thanked them for their good wishes for his marriage.

"Mr Hunt, how lucky you are to be married to the sole owner of the Yates Corporation," a middle aged man commented, a wry smile on his lips.

"Sole owner? Mr Salvador, I don't think your source is that authentic anymore. How could you call Isabella Yates, a mere—"

Having an inkling on what the person wanted to say next, Nicholas shot him a cold glare as he spoke, "It seems like Mr Lane is bored here. I can ask my assistant to escort you out if you want."

With that, he walked away from the group and looked down at the watch on his wrist. He expected Isabella and David to be here by this time as the programme would be starting soon, which would of course be starting with Isabella's speech.

"Mr Hunt," David's voice came from behind him.

"Where is she?"

"Over there. Mrs Hunt says she doesn't want to attract attention to herself," David replied, pointing to one corner of the hall where Isabella was sitting with Angela in front of her.

Nicholas scoffed, "What attention? She can just come clean and say I am not worthy enough to walk beside her. Inform her that she will be called up as soon as the programme starts, and that she would have no choice but to get that attention then."

He added, "And inform the MC to start immediately. All relevant people are here already."

On Isabella's side, she recited the speech to Angela with a wide smile on her face and when she finished, the latter applauded her.

"How can you be so smart, Isabella? I bet you will be able to read within a month if you start your lessons immediately after this banquet," Angela praised her.

Isabella was about to reply when the people whom she thought she had successfully escaped from, appeared at her front. Her parents...and her sister, Alicia.

"What am I hearing, Isabella? Do you have to give a speech tonight?" Her father asked.

Isabella knew she could not lie so she nodded.

"What?! How could Nicholas think you that capable to want you to give a speech? I bet he just wants to humiliate you," Hazel commented, mock concern vividly expressed on her face.

Isabella remained silent.

"Be thankful that you have the most loving parents, so we will help you. Alicia will help you," Lucas announced, and everyone in the group, apart from Hazel, felt their eyes widen.

"Me, daddy? How can I give a speech when it is Isabella's wedding banquet?" Alicia asked.

"What do you mean Isabella's wedding banquet? Anything owned by your sister is also yours too, without limitations..." Lucas paused, handing the glass of wine in his hand over to Isabella. He gestured to her to drink it and she obeyed, which prompted the smile on his face to widen.

He continued,"And that also means you have to help your sister with any problem she has too, just like delivering the speech today. Many influential personalities are present her today, Alicia, and giving them a good impression of yourself will only help you in your acting career. Also, your sister will only blemish the name of both Yates and Hunt families if we let her go up there, so count it as helping her while also gaining something from it. Alright?"

"But..." Alicia hesitated. The offer was tempting enough but she was still unsure.

Lucas sighed, "No buts, Alice. Your sister can't talk now anyway so you have no choice but to help her!"

Hearing that, Isabella exclaimed, "What are you saying, Sir?!"

But no sound came out of her mouth.