The Ascent of Jeffery Flamel; Restoring Alchemy's Legacy

CHAPTER 8

The spectacle of the luxury cars lined up outside the courthouse was enough to turn heads. Pedestrians on the sidewalk stopped in their tracks, eyes wide with disbelief. They gawked at the polished vehicles, murmuring to each other in hushed tones. Some even fumbled for their phones, snapping pictures of the procession as if it were some kind of celebrity arrival.

Cora stood tall, a satisfied smirk plastered on her face. She basked in the attention, her eyes scanning the crowd as she straightened her posture. This was what she had been waiting for. Adam’s surprise had arrived, just as he promised. The opulence of the cars, the envy of the onlookers—it was all hers to claim, a symbol of her victory.

She glanced over at Jeffrey, still standing near the entrance of the courthouse, his face a mask of indifference. She couldn’t resist. The urge to gloat was too strong.

With a loud, triumphant laugh, she called out to him. “Looks like someone knows how to make a grand exit, huh, Jeffrey? Too bad you don’t get to ride in style like me. You’ll be back in your little taxi in no time.”

The murmurs of the crowd only fueled her pride. She heard the whispers, the envious comments, and she couldn’t help but feel a surge of validation. She had been right all along. Leaving Jeffrey, ending the marriage—it had been the right choice. And now, she had everything she needed to prove it. The luxury cars, the attention, the admiration from strangers.

Her vanity swelled. She had never felt more alive.

She eagerly stepped toward the nearest car, her heels clicking against the pavement. The driver, a middle-aged man dressed in a sharp black suit, was just getting out of the vehicle. He looked at her with a raised eyebrow as she approached.

"Well?" she said, smiling sweetly. "Aren’t you going to open the door for me?”

The driver glanced at her, his expression blank. “Do I know you, miss?”

Cora blinked, taken aback. He didn’t know who she was? The moment of confusion passed quickly, and she laughed lightly, thinking it was just a misunderstanding.

“It’s alright, darling,” she said, leaning against the car. “Don’t be silly. I’m here for my ride.”

But the driver didn’t budge. Instead, he shook his head, his face hardening. “I’m here for someone else. I’ve been told to pick up a man.”

“No, no, no,” she stammered, her voice rising in panic. “You’ve got it wrong. It must be a man who sent you to pick me up.”

Cora’s breath hitched. The smile faltered on her lips, replaced by a wave of confusion and disbelief. This couldn’t be happening.

She stood there for a moment, frozen, before she managed to force a weak chuckle.

“You’re just mistaken, I’m sure. Adam told me to wait for him here.”

The driver crossed his arms, unimpressed. “Adam didn’t tell me anything. I’m here for Mr. Jeffrey, and if you don’t move, I’ll be forced to take action.”

His patience had clearly worn thin.

The driver cut her off, his tone growing sharper. “I don’t know who you think you are, lady, but I’m not here for you. I was told to pick up Mr. Jeffrey. If you don’t get out of the car, I’ll have to call security.”

Something must go wrong. Jeffrey is a nobody.

Just then, a woman so beautiful that make Cora felt jealous stepped down from the most luxurious car.

Jeffrey widened his eyes.

It was Rita.

Why was she here?

Facing Cora's puzzled expression, Rita smiled, walked over to Jeffrey, and took his hand.