Flash Marriage Husband is an Alpha-Chapter 31: Waiting...

I stared at her with mixed emotions... amusement, anger, disbelief. But what struck me as most ridiculous was the fact that such a cheap edit had come from Bruce.

My thoughts spun in circles, trying to reason why he would do that—what he stood to gain, what plan could possibly be behind it.

Yet no other conclusion came to mind except one....it was a deliberate, calculated revenge against me.

This time, I guessed, he intended to use Phina as a sharp blade aimed directly at me.

I exhaled deeply, locking eyes with her. "So... all in all... you really believe I seduced Bruce?"

"Otherwise?" she snapped, her gaze unyielding.

I sighed, a hint of amusement creeping into my voice. "Definitely another fool in love," I mused.

I was certain that I couldn’t convince her otherwise...so there’s no need to bother defending myself.

Besides, he might even have a darker purpose, darker plots and at this point...I can only watch out and wait.

And if so, there’s no need to try letting her understand the plot. Probably...I might use it to my advantage.

"Sister," I said sweetly, forcing warmth into my tone. "With my marriage coming up tomorrow, do you think I still have a chance of winning him?"

"Besides... Dad already warned me not to cause trouble," I added, matter-of-factly.

Her expression softened but her conviction that I seduced Bruce didn’t lessen. "Bruce can’t be lying about this."

My head throbbed. Can’t we talk about any other thing aside from Bruce?" I almost snapped. Almost.

Yet I held back...I really have to make her see clearly who Bruce is, but that should be after meeting with Oswald.

Her lips parted to speak, but I interrupted her, "About the meeting?" I asked.

"You’re really meeting him?" She asked, her gaze narrowing. Her eyes flickered with an emotion I wasn’t interested to decipher.

I shrugged lightly as though that’s the most important thing to do. "What to do, with just a few hours away...."

"Alright. You go get ready." She interrupted, "I will call Dad to inform him, and then we set out." She smirked.

Her expression was like that of a sister who cares deeply about her sister. But I know better. I couldn’t help but wonder if my father knew what she was plotting.

Does he know the Norton’s family would soon lose ten percent of their leverage...just because of his dear daughter’s scheme?

I nodded and walked past her into the living room, my hand tightening on the envelope.

Settling into my room, I shut the door tightly after I made sure I wasn’t followed, my ears perked up, tracing for any sound but with none close by...I sighed with relief.

I retrieved my phone and dialed a familiar number, the call was picked up on the first ring.

"Are you set?" Oswald’s voice filtered through the speaker. It was as though he was waiting for this one call.

"Almost.... Mr. Oswald, I hope you aren’t having cold feet?" I said, not interested in exchanging pleasantries.

"With a beautiful lady in my arms and a prosperous contract...do you think I will back away?" He smirked.

I chuckled. "Alright, we arrive earlier than you expect. I will handle everything from my end."

"Are you sure?" He asked, I could hear the doubt in his voice...but at the moment, I could only trust myself and just myself.

"I don’t think I wouldn’t be able to." I answered.

"Alright. Thanks in advance. I will definitely treat you to a celebratory drink." He smirked.

"I hope you keep your word." I warned, with a chill.

*You can rest assured." He assured.

With the confirmation, my heart felt at ease. I hurried through my bath...my hand traced through my wardrobe and finally settled on a champagne-colored dress.

I let my hair flow naturally behind me. I took my time to add a light touch of makeup on my face.

I finished up with a deep red lipstick that looked enchanting and seductive. As I set the lipstick down...she tapped softly.

Grabbing my handbag on the bed, I made for the door. I pulled it open just as her hand raised to knock again.

Her eyes widened, the exact expression I wanted to see. A means to boost her confidence towards achieving her goal.

"Aren’t you...overdressed?" She smirked. 𝕗𝚛𝚎𝚎𝐰𝗲𝗯𝗻𝚘𝚟𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝕞

I looked down on myself over and over again, feigning surprise and shame. "I...I just...want ...to... impress him and not cause any problem." I muttered, my head lowered.

She shrugged. "It’s okay...there’s no need to feel ashamed besides....you are going to get married anyway."

I nodded and together we left the house. Stepping outside, with the driver already on the wheels, we boarded the car.

~The Palace hotel~

The ride to the hotel was shrouded in silence, with each of us stuck in her own thoughts.

Neon lights of various shades brightened the streets, at intervals the soft glow of the streetlights filtered through the car windows.

The car slowly pulled up at the hotel parking lot, the driver glanced at us through the rearview. "We are here." He clipped.

"Thank you." I murmured, ready to open the car door, but then Phina’s phone dinged with a notification, and she paused her movements.

Her hand quickly swiped across the screen, quickly she read through the message, her lips curled up with a sneer.

"Let’s go." She smirked as she alighted, and I followed suit.

The door shut with a soft thud as we headed towards the lobby, but then my steps faltered.

On the large LCD of the hotel were the prenup photos of my sister and Bruce...different from the one I had seen earlier.

I chuckled softly before I followed her in. Once inside the lobby, a waiter stepped forward to welcome us.

A waiter approached politely. "Hello, Miss Phina, Miss Stella. Mr. Oswald made a reservation for you... he had a last-minute notice and had to leave."

My sister’s brow furrowed. "When?" She asked.

"A few minutes ago. He promised to be back in a short time."

"Sister...does that mean we can’t see him?" I asked softly.

"You don’t have to worry, we will see him..." she muttered as she pulled out her phone. "A moment, please." She smirked and stepped away.

Watching her step away just to call Oswald, I couldn’t help my lips curling up.

She dialed a few times, but it seemed the number wasn’t connecting. She stumped her foot angrily.

Dialing for the fifth time...the call was answered, but the next moment, her fist clenched by her side.

When the call ended, she walked back to us, her heart thumped so hard that I felt my ear pulse at each beat.

My brow furrowed, my gaze narrowed. "She was anxious, but why?"

"Stella, he is in a meeting and like the waiter said...we would be waiting for him at his private lounge...I have already informed Dad."