Flash Marriage Husband is an Alpha-Chapter 19: Name your price...

Phina’s POV

Standing in front of Stella’s door, I found myself on the verge of losing my sanity.

"How dare she slam the door on my face?"

Breakfast and dinner had always been her responsibility, and over the years, the maids had cleverly distanced themselves from that duty.

But who would have thought that when I woke up this morning, she’d still be fast asleep, her door securely locked?

This wasn’t how it should have been.

I banged on the door, my patience thinning with every thud. After what felt like an eternity, she finally opened it.

Instead of rushing out to make breakfast as expected, she had the audacity to mock me.

What makes her think she can get away with this?

She’s beginning to take too much liberty and I am not going to let that happen.

She was supposed to remain the Norton’s family’s maid and dog,..nothing more. But ever since the night Bruce left her for me, she’s become a pain in the ass and a thorn in my flesh, strutting around like she’s my equal. 𝒻𝑟ℯℯ𝑤𝑒𝑏𝑛𝘰𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝒸𝑜𝘮

What makes her think she can compete with me?

My chest heaved as fury simmered beneath my skin, threatening to erupt. My fingers tightened around the phone in my hand, the urge to smash something clawing at me.

Just then, my phone buzzed. I almost ignored it, assuming it was some irrelevant sales promotion or service alert. But on second thought, I swiped it open.

This might interest you. Oswald Dallas itinerary, you can make good use of it.

The message was crisp and clear. My thoughts raced with excitement.

"Oswald Dallas itinerary?"

If my dear sister was so desperate to meet him, then maybe...just maybe...I’d give her that chance. She’d thank me later... or maybe she wouldn’t live long enough to.

For a moment, my thoughts slowed as I tried to identify who might have sent it. No name. Just the message.

I decided to test the waters. Leaving her doorstep, I hurried back to my room, my mind spinning with possibilities and benefits I could get from this message.

I hurriedly dialed my father’s number; the call was picked at the first ring.

"What happened, dear?" My father’s calm voice filtered through the phone speaker.

"Dad, my sister was supposed to meet with Oswald today. Can you confirm his itinerary?"

"Alright," he said, and the line went dead.

A few minutes later, he called back. "You can help her prepare to go over to the hotel in the evening."

Perfect.

With my dad’s confirmation of his itinerary, I was exceptionally happy. Whoever sent that message would be getting my gratitude soon enough.

Just as I hung up, the phone rang again—this time from a hidden number.

"Hello?" I answered, already suspecting who it was—possibly the person that sent the message.

"Hello Beautiful," Joey’s voice came through the phone. I was surprised, she usually doesn’t call with an encrypted line.

But now isn’t the time to worry. I was already glad she called. "How have you been?" I asked anxiously.

"How did you like my wedding present for you?" Joey’s sly voice teased from the other end.

"It’s really from you?" I asked.

"What do you think?" She teased, her soft smile coming through the phone.

My heart raced with gratefulness. "It was perfect," I said smoothly. "And don’t worry, I’ll make good use of it."

We chatted briefly before ending the call. Joey had been out of the country for years, ever since her mother’s death.

When she heard about my wedding, she’d sounded regretful for missing it.

Who would’ve thought she’d send such a priceless gift instead?

I smiled to myself. This time, Stella will finally learn her place. She’ll wish she could rewrite her surname from Norton to anything else.

With my head spinning with plans, I sauntered back to the living room.

Stella walked in soon after and my good evaporated on sight but then she gave me the draft she had prepared.

I must confess, she is quite skilled in doing these, but then I was reluctant to feed her pride. I frowned deliberately, picking faults where none existed.

Yet even as I dismissed her work, she was still feeling confident, her smug composure made me hate her more.

She insisted we go over to take a look at the banquet hall and possibly start working.

~Moments Later~

"I’m all set." Stella smirked as she adjusted her purse. Her tone carried that quiet defiance I’d come to loathe.

I glared at her for a while, but deciding not to waste my breath on her, I grabbed my purse and followed her out.

The driver was already waiting, we both boarded the car, and it pulled away from the mansion.

The drive was a silent one, with each of us focused on our own thing.

After an hour in the busy traffic, the car pulled over at the most prestigious hotel in Crown City... ’The Palace.’

The view was breathtaking, a testimony of wealth and power, the landscape was calming. Without sparing her any glance, I alighted from the car.

My gaze trailing around the environment, but then my breath caught—Oswald Dallas was just a few metres away from us. My thoughts spun with options.

Perfect.

"Stella," I said evenly, "Oswald Dallas is here."

Without giving Stella a chance to speak, I smoothed the hem of my dress and strode toward him, a soft smile plastered across my face.

"Hello, Sir Oswald," I greeted.

His paused mid-step, his gaze sweeping over my face, possibly tracing for any familiarity.

"Can I help you?" he asked, brow arched.

His face was fuller than I remembered—puffy cheeks, flesh sagging under his chin, and that dreadful potbelly straining against his suit.

I forced my expression to remain pleasant despite the nausea twisting in my gut.

"Phina Norton," I introduced myself coolly despite the disgust in my chest.

Recognition sparked in his eyes, his face widened with a smile, revealing his teeth, yellowed from the constant smoking of tobacco.

"Sister-in-law," he called, his hawk-like gaze dragging slowly down my figure as though eyeing a prey crawling on my skin.

"With the marriage still pending, I’m yet to be your sister-in-law." I replied sharply, holding his stare.

"You’re right," he chuckled. "But it’s just less than twenty-four hours away."

I tilted my head, my smile unwavering. "Thank God we ran into each other here. My sister had wanted to see you before the marriage tomorrow morning,"

"Now?" he asked, his lecherous gaze lit up.

I shook my head slowly. "Tonight. I’ll need your help with something," I said, not beating about the bush.

I was certain he had his hidden agenda, why he secretly pushed for the marriage.

His gaze narrowed. "Miss Norton, that is my wife-to-be you are talking about?" He smirked, his lips curled coldly.

"Of course," I purred, "and that’s what makes it interesting."

"Aren’t you afraid it would affect the Norton’s family reputation?" He smirked.

"No, it can only prove a point...the wild would always be wild."

Oswald’s gaze narrowed as he took in my features. "You see, everything comes with a price. Pay the price and... trust me... I would make your wish happen."

I chuckled softly, my lips curling into a smirk. "So, that’s all she is to him—a plaything. The thought calmed the restless anger in me.

"Name your price." I said, my voice low and deliberate.