Flash Marriage Husband is an Alpha-Chapter 21: Return in peace...

Our car pulled up into The Palace Hotel parking lot. The environment was still exactly as I remembered. A place that screamed both power and wealth, visually breathtaking yet emotionally calming.

It was a perfect blend of art and nature. As the masterpiece of my teacher’s design, I’d been fortunate to work alongside him during its development.

Since then, I’ve made a silent vow never to abandon design. Over the years, it had become more than a passion rather it was also my escape from the harsh realities I refused to face.

Phina stepped out first, graceful as always, while I lingered in the car to reply to a message from Linda. With my situation taking a drastic turn, it was about time I summoned my assistant back.

Once my last mail was attended to, I alighted from the car, only to find Phina frozen, her gaze fixed on something or someone ahead. I followed her line of sight, and my lips curved faintly. 𝐟𝐫𝕖𝗲𝘄𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝕧𝐞𝚕.𝕔𝕠𝐦

"Stella... Oswald Dallas is here," she almost whispered, her voice trembling slightly with excitement, she stretched out the hem of her dress and trotted toward him.

I clicked my tongue. "Didn’t she go through the itinerary? Why was she surprised to see him here?"

Since she was already meeting him, I guess I could do other important things. With my back resting against the car, I began sorting through the list of pending tasks that had piled up since the night of my failed engagement.

There was no need to worry about their conversation. Whatever she planned, I could always turn it around, besides, Oswald’s desires were easy enough to use.

After what felt like ages, I felt a shadow close up and lifted my gaze to meet Oswald Dallas standing a few meters away from me.

"Stella Norton?" he asked softly.

I lifted myself from the car. "Yes... how was the day, Mr. Oswald?"

"Didn’t expect to be popular with you?"

"What do you expect when I have just a few hours before... Marriage? Shouldn’t I have the benefit of knowing who the suitor is?"

"Miss Stella... because I know you don’t like being addressed as Norton." He smirked.

My brow furrowed. No doubt I was startled that he knew that detail. But I couldn’t let him see that he’d guessed right. "Why do you think so?"

"I’ve always known," he replied, his gaze unwavering. "Maybe you don’t realize it, but people are far more intrigued by Norton’s second daughter than the first."

I smiled lightly. "You flatter me."

"Well, I don’t flatter people," he said, his smirk fading into seriousness. "She mentioned you wanted to see me?"

I chuckled. "Aren’t you a little too forward?"

"Dear wife..." he began, his tone low, almost amused. "I know more than you imagine. The fact that you’re the top designer might be unknown to them but not to me."

"Then, you must know my purpose for finding you?"

His eyes narrowed, his hand trembling ever so slightly. "What do you mean?"

"This marriage... isn’t holding," I said coldly.

"Why? I promise I won’t harm you. I had always wanted to come closer, but you seem to have only Bruce at the center of your world."

I chuckled at his words. It seems I was really the fool in this.

"Mr. Oswald, hurting me isn’t the problem, but the truth is I already got married the moment I left that hall."

The soft smile on his face vanished. His brow creased, and I could see the shock in his eyes.

I let the meaning sink before I continued. "You don’t plan to drag me to court, right?"

His steps faltered, his breath heavy, his fists trembling lightly, his eyes red. "Even after waiting, I still lost."

"I will compensate you," I said expressionlessly.

He looked up, his gaze probing. "Compensate?"

"Sure... Myth Technologies contract and a night with her."

His eyes lit up. "Myth contracts? Are you sure?"

"Yes... but then I get whatever price she offered to bring me over."

"Ten percent of Norton’s share," he answered before I could even ask.

"Make a choice."

He paused briefly. "Sure..."

"Happy Corporation."

"Happy Corporation."

Phina walked over to us. The surprise on her face as she stared at our hands holding each other wasn’t lost on us.

My lips curled up softly. "Sister, thank you for scheduling the meeting with him," I said.

Oswald said a few more words to her before he turned around. "See you later," he said as he walked away.

"This marriage might not be bad after all," I said.

Seeing her shocked, I felt better. "Father had already set this in motion, and there’s nothing to do about it."

Without giving her the chance to gloat, I slid my phone into my purse. "Let’s go in... there’s so much to do."

I ignored her glares and moved on. After a few steps, I noticed she wasn’t following. I halted. "Sister, you might as well make it faster. I still have other tasks waiting to be done," I smirked.

Phina, I know, wouldn’t be comfortable seeing that I’m unfazed with the impending marriage to a man like Oswald Dallas, but she forgets that acting on her impulse only creates an opportunity for me.

She exhaled sharply and swept past me, and I followed behind. The walk to the large reception hall was silent, the tension hanging thick between us.

"Here," she muttered as we stepped into a wide, ultramodern hall.

I took a moment to scan the hall before closing my eyes, feeling the subtle pulse of energy around the space. After a breath, I reopened them and made a few mental adjustments to the design layout.

By the time we left, the sun had begun to dip... it was already past midday. "Phina, we’re done with your arrangement. I have something else to handle," I said.

"Stella, you’re not going?" she asked, disbelief lacing her tone.

"Absolutely," I replied, turning to leave.

"You better be careful and not cause another scandal," she shouted after me.

My lips curled in amusement. "Scandal? Sister, don’t tell me you’re planning to."

"Stella!" she yelled, her voice echoing down the hall.

I didn’t look back. "I hope you return in peace."