Macbook stuck on Internet Recovery mode + unable to boot from disk

I was trying to do a fresh reset on a Macbook Air (model number A1932) and accidentally deleted the data off both of the drive partitions (I think this is the correct phrasing for what I did?).

The computer is now trying to boot into Internet Recovery mode and nothing is able to get me out of Internet Recovery mode when I boot up the computer.

I set up a spare Samsung SSD with High Sierra to install from a boot drive, but even when I hold down option when restarting, the option to install High Sierra appears above the Internet Recovery wireless network select – after I select install High Sierra, it simply goes into Internet Recovery Mode.

Internet Recovery Mode itself fails every single time. I've tried connected to internet via. wifi, to phone tethering and via ethernet. It always ends up on the error triangle in front of the globe.

I assume that installing from an external SSD shouldn't require internet so I guessing this is some kind of glitch where the computer is unable to avoid going into Internet Recovery.

I've tried to SMC and PRAM reset already + have no idea what weird combination of keys I am yet to try that could possibly sort this out.

Any advice would be really appreciated – thanks :)