Flash Marriage Husband is an Alpha-Chapter 26: Care to join the show?....

Stella’s POV

I could still feel Phina’s fury—hot, sharp, drilling into my back as if her gaze could carve holes in my spine.

She remained rooted to the spot, frozen with shock while I walked away without a backward glance.

Whether she returned or collapsed on the pavement was no longer my concern. I had far more important matters to settle.

I flagged down a taxi and slipped into the backseat. "Home Café," I said, clipped and cold.

The driver nodded in response and stepped down hard on the pedal, and the car shot forward.

Oswald’s confirmation about backing out of the marriage...paired with Myth Technologies’ contract as compensation signaled the beginning of the next phase of my plans.

For Prince Lucas, everything depended on securing the standard required. Only one thing remained: tell Oswald to prepare a revised proposal immediately. No loose ends.

I glanced at the clock on my wrist... there were still several hours left before nightfall... my shoulders sagged with relief.

I texted Oswald the final list of requirements as stated by Prince Lucas and requested the revised proposal within two hours.

Considering how desperately he wanted the contract, I was certain he’d send it over in no time.

Next on the agenda was my meeting with Linda, I needed to confirm her arrival. I dialed her, and she picked up before the first ring even finished. "Hey, have you arrived?" she asked. 𝙛𝒓𝒆𝙚𝒘𝒆𝓫𝙣𝓸𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝒄𝒐𝓶

My brow furrowed. "Linda, I don’t have the whole time to waste... I hope you don’t keep me waiting?"

.

"Not even for a second," she assured me.

Minutes later, the taxi slowed in front of Home Café. I paid, stepped out, and scanned the street. It was peaceful, despite the distant blare of impatient horns weaving through the afternoon traffic.

I drew in a sharp breath, ready to walk into the café, but then a large billboard caught my attention.

Bruce and Phina’s wedding photoshoot flashed across the screen in a loop—bright smiles, intertwined fingers, perfect angles. The final frame invited Crown City to the grand wedding of the newest couple.

A low chuckle escaped my lips. "A match made in heaven," I muttered under my breath and turned to walk into the café...

But... I felt a sharp gaze behind my back; my steps faltered, my breath caught, my hairs stood erect on my skin.

With slow, deliberate motion, I turned around, my eyes sweeping across the vicinity, but there was no one in sight.

I sighed resignedly and spun again on my heels to continue into the café when I caught sight of a sleek black car parked on the other side of the road.

The windows remained rolled up, the indicator lights blinked nonstop. My gaze narrowed as I took in the details of the car, which felt oddly familiar.

My heart raced as I sifted through my memory for a recollection. But before I could, the car zoomed off, leaving behind a trail of dust in its wake.

I stood dumbfounded, staring into the distance long after the car had disappeared.

I was certain the car had stopped because of me, but seeing it zoom off without a word... my thoughts spun with questions.

"Who was that?"

"Friend or foe?"

"Why speed off like that?"

"Why watch me? Am I targeted?"

I took a deep breath and turned around to continue, but... right then, a thought flashed through my mind, a name resounding in my ears. "Adrian Carter."

My breath caught at the realization; I turned toward the direction the car had left, and there was no trail left behind.

I sighed and continued my walk into the café.

The doorman welcomed me warmly, my hand tightening on the sling bag strapped on my shoulders. My pulse raced with both curiosity and excitement.

I sure wasn’t certain what I could get from Linda, but the fact that I would prove my innocence was already motivating.

I stepped into the wide hall of the café; since it was past lunchtime... There were fewer diners.

"Ella, here." Linda waved at me.

Her smile was soft and radiant, seated by the window overlooking the bustling streets... a view I so much appreciated.

Settling down before her, her gentle gaze swept over me. "The breakup didn’t do you any harm," she observed.

I snorted. "Are you sure?"

"Yeah... with how much you loved that idiot, I was dead worried you might not want to live again."She smirked.

My eyes widened. "Do you see me as that weak...a fragile queen?"

She shrugged. "It’s not about fragility or weakness. It’s about the shock of betrayal... the trauma...It destroys people."

I chuckled softly. I still marveled at how fast I was able to flush that scum out of my system.

I couldn’t help but wonder if I had really loved him like I thought or was I just that resistant to pain after so many years of experience.

"I survived," I said. "Tall and strong. That’s what counts."

"Tell me... how did you do it?" she asked with all the seriousness she could muster.

I was lost for words. "Did what?"

"How you managed to come back feeling strong, fierce and ready to get revenge."

"I got married." I said simply.

Linda shot to her feet, her voice a few decibels higher than normal. "What?!!"

Several diners turned their attention to us. I lowered my head slightly, taking a sip of my coffee while I let her handle the mess she made.

She hurriedly apologized for disrupting their meal and slowly settled back into her seat.

"Ella, you aren’t serious, right?"

"Well, I’m as serious as I could be... I crashed into a handsome guy at the club that night and clicked... the magic was done."

Linda covered her face with her hands, laughing in disbelief. "Stella Norton, you amaze me...you are really unbelievable."

"Thanks for the compliment, sweetheart... so, where’s my package?" I asked.

She reached into her tote and pulled out a sealed brown envelope and pushed it toward me. "You don’t have to thank me for the surprise, baby."

My eyes narrowed as I took the envelope in my hand... it was weighty. I was certain it had much more detail than I could make do with.

Slowly, I opened the envelope and froze, marveled at the contents...photos, recording pens, flash drive, transaction receipts, purchase receipts, and even a trip voucher.

My breath caught, my hands trembling at each item. Linda took a sip of her coffee. I stared at her inquisitively.

"Since when did you begin gathering evidence of their dealings?"

"Since the first time I told you they were cheating and you insisted Bruce wouldn’t stoop that low and finally waved it off."

I blinked. "Did I?"

"Many times," she said, smirking. "I’m glad you didn’t drown yourself in the yellow river over that trash."

My phone buzzed with a notification, snapping me out of our discussion. I didn’t expect the day to be far away already.

I glanced down... it was a reply from Oswald.

I must say I respected his efficiency.

"Got something to handle tonight. Care to join the show?"

Linda’s gaze narrowed. "What show?"

I winked. "The kind of show that’s better watched than explained."

I pushed my chair back and stood up, the envelope tightly secured in my hand. "The Palace Hotel... 8 p.m. Don’t miss it... I promise you won’t regret it."