"I'm sorry," he said, his voice low but clear enough to reach everyone nearby. "I didn't believe you at first, and that was my mistake.
The thought of losing you made it hard for me to think straight. I couldn't focus, couldn't help you, because... I just couldn't imagine my life without you. I should have trusted you enough to ask before jumping to conclusions."
His words, soft but weighted with emotion, seemed to echo around them. The buzz of whispers died down as guests paused their gawking at Ndidi's misfortune to swoon at his heartfelt confession. Even the press momentarily shifted their cameras, captivated by the unexpected romantic moment unfolding in the chaos.
Olaedo blinked, momentarily stunned. His words were touching, yes, but she assumed it was all part of the act. Couples in love were supposed to trust each other unconditionally, after all. Yet... there was something in his eyes, raw, genuine emotion, that didn't feel scripted.
'Wait. Weren't we acting?' she thought, her mind scrambling for clarity. 'What's this look? It doesn't seem fake...'
She didn't respond immediately, too caught up in trying to decipher the emotions swirling in his gaze. He seemed to notice her hesitation, a flicker of unease crossing his face as if realizing the vulnerability he had just exposed.
In an attempt to redirect the moment, Chibuzor reached out and brushed a stray lock of hair behind her ear. His fingers lingered just a second too long, sending a spark through her that startled her into breaking eye contact.
She glanced away, giving him the distraction he sought, while her heart raced with questions she couldn't yet answer.
Chibuzor used the moment to wipe away the emotions that had betrayed him earlier. By the time Olaedo looked at him again, his face was calm and unreadable, completely different from what she thought she had seen.
She continued to stare at him, convinced she hadn't imagined it. But the longer she looked, the more doubt crept in. His current expression made it hard to believe her own memory.
'Maybe I was wrong... but that was strange. I'll figure it out later,' she decided, her resolve firm even as she turned away.
Nearby, Old Madam was growing uneasy. Olaedo's silence was heavy, and guilt pricked her deeply. She knew how much their earlier doubts must have hurt her. 'What if she decides to leave?' she thought anxiously, her gaze shifting to her family. Each of them wore similar expressions of regret.
Unable to wait any longer, Old Madam stepped forward. "Dear, we're truly sorry," she said softly, her voice trembling with sincerity. "Please, find it in your heart to forgive us."
"It's okay, Grandma. You were just trying to protect our family," Nnenna replied, her voice faint but filled with understanding.
Amidst the chaos, Adamu tried to slip away unnoticed. His movements were subtle, but Chibuzor's sharp eyes caught him instantly.
Without hesitation, he signaled to the guards. They maneuvered calmly through the crowd, their actions efficient and discreet, cutting off Adamu's escape route.
In moments, the guards had him detained, lifting him effortlessly as they escorted him out. The crowd buzzed with speculation, whispers of curiosity filling the room. Everyone wondered what fate awaited him now
Meanwhile, Nnenna was rushed to the hospital. Olaedo followed close behind, accompanied by Olisa. Despite his desire to go with them, Chibuzor had no choice but to stay behind to handle the aftermath of the evening's events. His expression remained composed, but deep down, frustration brewed at being unable to be by Olaedo's side.
The night had unraveled into a whirlwind of drama. Old Master Arinze stepped forward to restore order, delivering a final speech that carried the weight of authority. His commanding presence signaled the end of the evening's chaos.
With that, the ball concluded. Guests trickled out of the grand hall, their thoughts tangled with all they had witnessed. But one thing was clear as whispers followed them into the night, the Young Madam of the Arinze family wasn't going anywhere. She had proven her strength, and she was here to stay.
The main branch of the Arinze family gathered for an emergency meeting as soon as the last relative stepped out. None of them could accept that Nnenna had been hurt in their own residence, and it had nothing to do with someone among them.
They marched into the living room of the main residence, their expressions grim, with Ndidi trailing at the back still soaked. Her mind raced, scrambling to come up with a way to deflect suspicion.
Chibuzor and Old Master Arinze took their seats beside Old Madam, but neither of them spoke. The weight of their silence was heavy, allowing Old Madam to take charge.
"Who is responsible for what happened tonight?" she demanded, her voice cutting through the room like a blade.
Silence.
Not a single word was spoken. Old Madam's sharp gaze swept over each of them, her authority palpable. She started with her son, her eyes narrowing at Obinna, then moved to Chukwudubem, Adanna, Ifeoma, and finally stopped at Ndidi. Her voice rose, cold and commanding, as she locked eyes with her.
"The person responsible had better speak now," she warned. "Because if we investigate and find out on our own, that person will face my wrath!"
Her words thundered through the room, and even the innocent ones couldn't help but shrink under the pressure.
Ndidi sat as calmly as she could, her posture composed, with one hand hidden behind her back. To the others, she appeared unbothered, but anyone who could see her trembling fingers would know the truth, she was far from calm.
Chibuzor didn't bother hiding his suspicion. His sharp gaze rested on Ndidi, his certainty about her involvement evident. He had seen her silent exchange with Adamu during the ball, and it was enough to convince him that she had a hand in the chaos.
"Stepmother, are you sure you're not involved in this?" he asked bluntly, his tone cold and direct.