Ch. 1..5: OMG My Crippled Husband is a Hot Powerful CEO Chapter 1-5

Chapter 1: Chapter 1 - Open the damn door

"If you walk out that door, you are fired," barked Mr. Jones Troy, Joanna's boss in the office.

Joanna, who had almost reached the door, stopped in her tracks. Spinning around, she pushed strands of hair behind her ears with a grim expression, but her voice was soft.

"I just asked for permission to see my mother at the hospital. If it's too much to ask, then deduct it from my salary. All I need is a few hours."

A smirk lined the corner of Mr. Troy's lips. His gaze suddenly lowered as he unzipped his pants. "And I asked you to do one thing." Lust shimmered in his eyes, and Joanna was disgusted. Her gaze darkened, her anger soaring, preventing her from filtering her words.

"You are so shameless. I will report you to HR for sexual harassment."

"Hahahaha," Mr. Troy laughed. "What proof do you have?" He ridiculed her, rising to his feet, unfazed but annoyed that she was the first girl to refuse him.

Slowly, he walked over to her, but since he was shorter, he could only glare at her from below. "It will be your words against mine, and of course, no one will believe a poor girl like you over a CEO like me."

He had always gotten away with this, so sure, there was nothing Joanna could do to him. Most of the employees had equally fallen victim to his cunning ways.

"Be careful, Mr. Troy, don't underestimate every woman. I will go and see my mom." Worry laced her voice at the mention of her mother. The woman was undergoing treatment for a brain tumor but usually never informed Joanna anytime she ran out of medication.

For her to be rushed to the hospital meant that her condition had worsened.

Before her hand reached the doorknob, her boss quickly rushed past her and locked the door. Joanna fumed.

"Open the damn door."

"Or what?" He swirled the key around his forefinger and asked indifferently. He wasn't going to let her go until he had that satisfaction. "I gave you a simple task. It would bring you a good promotion too."

With time running out, Joanna couldn't waste the little she had left. Red liquid splashed on the floor at a smashing sound, accompanied by broken pieces of glass.

Mr. Troy's eyes were as red as the liquid on the floor. "That is Chateau Lafite 1787 you just broke. Even your annual salary will not be able to pay for it." Anger laced his voice as he thought about how to make her pay but was encased with fear at her response.

"You are concerned about the content, but I'm more concerned about the broken piece in my hand. Open the door or I will attack you with it," she threatened in a calm tone.

Joanna never knew how to yell. Inheriting her mother's calm temperament, no one would notice when she was even upset.

"Mad woman. Get out of my office and don't ever show yourself again. You are fired!" Mr. Troy raged. He opened the door, pushed her out before banging it after her.

"What a crazy woman. She would have enjoyed it and also gotten a promotion, but she decided to act tough." His teeth gritted as he thought about what to do next. Just then, a knock was heard on the door.

"Come in."

One of his staff entered with cleaning equipment. "Sir, the janitor is off duty. I will clean up the mess."

Mr. Troy's attention was drawn back to the expensive wine gifted to him. He wanted to gift it to his wife on her birthday, keeping it in the office until then. Who knew that the crazy woman would destroy it?

Tears stung in the corner of his eyes as he picked up the intercom and spoke to the HR Manager. "Joanna Baker is fired for gross misconduct. She is never to step foot in any of our offices again."

The woman cleaning up the mess had an evil smirk on her face as she bent and retrieved a hidden device, hiding it among the cleaning equipment before scurrying out of the office.

Joanna reached the hospital panting, rushing to the emergency ward. "How is she?" she asked her mother's caretaker.

"Not..." The caretaker was about to give the exact update about the situation when her mother's warm voice countered,

"I'm fine Joanna, the doctor is just about to transfer me to a normal ward."

"What is the issue then?" Joanna folded her arms, not believing her mother. Her caretaker had texted her a few times, informing Joanna about how her mother threw her medicines in the trash because she felt she was being a burden and wanted to die.

"I told you that she needs surgery. The tumor has enlarged and if we don't get this done in a week, she will die," the doctor walked into the emergency room while speaking.

Joanna's mother, Monica, swallowed tightly, guilt welling up in her heart when she saw the pained look in Joanna's eyes.

"I don't want to undergo surgery. I'd rather die." She didn't want to die but felt like she was just a burden for her daughter. The atmosphere tensed as the doctor walked out.

"I will excuse you two."

"Thank you doctor," Joanna acknowledged behind him, leaving her with her mother and her caretaker. Unexpectedly, she wrapped her arms around her mother, and the tears she held on for so long began to flow freely.

"Mom, why do you want to leave me?" She sobbed in the crook of her mother's neck. They were so close, more like best friends. Pain slashed through her mother's heart.

"Joanna, I'm just a liability. My hospital bills are a lot, and now surgery? Please, just let me die. Don't waste any more money on this brain tumor before you become impoverished."

Joanna stiffened slightly. Her job was already lost for now and her savings would also not be enough to pay for the surgery, so she had to come up with something quickly.

Logan, her boyfriend's name flashed in her mind but she shook her head. Their relationship was too young and they never even had a deep kiss. She might just be deemed a gold digger. Logan was not broke but neither was he rich to the level of her knowledge of him.

"No. I will go to Cole. He has to give us some money. He just can't turn his back on us."

Cole was Joanna's father, but he never took interest in her because she was born out of wedlock. Joanna never called him dad because he never played that role in her life. It was always her and her mother all the time.

"Please don't," Monica refused, pulling away, as she stared at Joanna with a sullen look, but Joanna wasn't taking it anymore.

Her father, his wife, and daughter were very snobbish towards her, but Joanna was ready to lower her guard this time, just to get the money.

Also, the company she just got fired from was a subsidiary of her father's company, but he also supported Mr. Troy, not believing that the man would ever harass any woman sexually.

"I will."

Joanna was determined. She never got anything from her father for free, but this time, she needed free money for her mother's surgery.

Monica knew that Joanna would not relent. Sighing, she revealed, "If you must, then tell him to hand over my shares to you."

Joanna was shocked, gawking at her mother. "You have shares in his company?" It was unbelievable because her mother never mentioned it. Monica's eyes filled with remorse and pain, but her tone was soft and calm.

Her façade always made it impossible for anyone to discern that she wasn't well. "It was a long time ago when we were dating."

Joanna still felt like she was being fed half a loaf instead of the full loaf she purchased. "Why did you invest in his company when you were just a mistress?"

Monica smiled bitterly, but the past was in the past, and she saw no reason to dig it out anymore.

"Joanna, some things are better left unsaid. Those shares are worth millions. If there is anything to fight for, then that should be it."

"Why didn't you tell me before?" Joanna was confused, thinking about if her mother still hid more things from her.

"That's because I wanted to let it go, but I can't watch you suffer while your stepsister takes everything. Also, there are some fictitious clauses. At first, I was doing it to protect you, but suddenly lost interest."

Joanna gave her a stern look. "I want to know the details of your, and his, relationship when I get back, and please do not try to lie to me again." Joanna rose up and spun around after saying those words.

Arriving at the Bakers mansion and knowing she won't be let in without her father's consent, she waited until one of the servants was coming out, taking advantage and running into the house with the security behind her, but she shut the main door as soon as she entered the mansion.

Slap!

As soon as she turned around to breathe after escaping the security, her face burned from a slap.

Chapter 2: Chapter 2 – Marry Alexander King

"Joanna Baker, you are an illegitimate child. How can you even show your face here? You are nothing," Joanna's half-sister, Mia yelled, after giving her a hot slap.

Joanna's cheek burned, and so did her anger. For ten years, she has been a doormat for the Bakers because of her mother's sickness, but not anymore. Without another thought, she returned the slap.

Hers was stronger, and Mia stumbled, falling on the floor, her eyes glazing with tears. "How dare you slap me?"

"You slapped me first. I just returned it better." Joanna was unremorseful, even when her father intervened.

"What is going on here?" He was already by Mia's side, helping her from the floor.

With a pitiful expression, Mia cried in her father's arms. "Dad, she slapped me because I told her she was looking like a servant and should change into something better."

Joanna paled from anger, but her voice remained calm. "That is not true. How can you lie so brainlessly?"

"Do you say that you didn't slap her?" Her father snarled, already taking sides with his beloved daughter.

"She slapped me first," Joanna stood her ground, unwilling to surrender.

Her father, Cole Baker, was not ready to pursue the matter further, seeing that Joanna's left cheek was equally crimson.

"What do you even want here?" Her father glared at her, she suddenly mellowed upon recalling her mother.

"Mom's sickness is serious. I need money."

Mia's nose crunched up, and she secretly sent a text message to her mother. 'Mom, the bitch is here asking for money from dad for the bigger bitchy mother.'

'I'm in the beauty parlor and can't make it now. Come to think of it, your father should marry her to the Kings. They might be rich, but no woman would want to be their in-law.'

Mia smirked as she read the text, looking for a way to make the suggestion to her father. Just then, another message dropped from her mother.

'Don't worry. I will tell him myself.'

"Joanna, you have such a big attitude but it's disgusting. I received an email that you got fired today. Now you are here to ask for money." Disappointment laced Cole's tone, but Joanna didn't care. The man never for once treated her like a daughter.

This time, with the proof she had, she couldn't suck it all up. "Won't you ask what happened?"

"What is there to ask? You are just so proud because you think so highly of yourself."

Joanna might be so many things, but she wasn't the things her father mentioned just now. The thought of it made her understand that not only did her father not care. He also didn't know her.

"You are my father, and I work for you. Send me to another company, but I will prove to you that Mr. Troy is not the angel you think he is."

Cole yawned in sheer boredom, not for once convinced by Joanna's words. "I will wait for that proof so off you go."

"I need money urgently for mom's bills."

Joanna was unmoved, not forgetting her reason for being there. Her boldness erupted from the revelation of her mother's shares in Cole's company.

How could he owe her mother so much and turn a blind eye to her predicament? She wasn't going to allow it.

Oddly, in spite of all the luxury oozing out of Cole's mansion, Joanna was so uncomfortable, she could not even sit. It wasn't her home, and her father hadn't invited her to do so.

"Okay. Let's have it this way. Alexander King is recovering from his accident. His grandfather needs a wife for him so you can be our candidate, and all your financial problems are solved."

Mia smiled, knowing that her father had received the message from her mother.

Joanna went numb at the request. No one knew what Alexander King looked like, being the first son of the Kings family. They were the most affluent in New York City, and yet, they always kept away from the media.

No image of them circulated the media headlines except that of their grandfather, Aristotle King. The airs around the old man were already so intimidating, though he carried looks too handsome for his age.

Joanna also recalled that Mia was the one betrothed to Alexander when the news about his accident had not aired. Mia sang it as a song, loud enough for anyone to hear but now that misfortune occurred, Joanna was going to be the sacrificial lamb.

The rumors in the air alerted that the first son of the King family was involved in a gory accident, leaving him in a vegetable state. They went on to say that his appearance was greatly damaged as well, so which woman would want to waste her life beside such a man?

Joanna was not ignorant of these rumors. "Let me guess. Mia doesn't want him anymore because he's no longer the hot mysterious CEO right? Or, is it because he is paralyzed and bedridden, you want me to take her place?"

The smile on Mia's face froze, as she feared that Joanna was going to reject the offer, especially when she already hooked up with a handsome and rich guy, Logan.

If it so be, then Mia would not have a choice than to marry Alexander King. If not, the partnership between the Bakers and the Kings will be broken.

"Smartness is something you got from me," Cole sneered. Joanna was deadpanned.

"No. I got it from my mother. You were never a part of my life, Cole."

He didn't mind that she addressed him by his first name, as he equally didn't want anyone to know about their relationship.

An illegitimate child was not something he was proud of, but for the sake of the partnership, he was willing to make some adjustments.

"So, do you agree to the marriage?" Hope resonated in his eyes, soon replaced by dismay.

"No. Let everyone carry their own cross. I'm here for my mother's shares."

The mention of the shares caused both Cole and Mia to freeze. Cole soon recovered, forcing a smile.

"I thought she had forgotten about it." He was referring to her mother. A smile bloomed on Joanna's face.

"Seems your prayers remain unanswered."

Cole remembered something, his lips surprisingly thinned. "She must have also told you about the marriage clause she put in there, right?"

Joanna fidgeted slightly. Her mom had not explained it to her. "What does it say?"

"You can only lay hands on those shares after getting married." Taking advantage of the situation, he narrowed it down.

"If you can get married in three days, I will give you the shares or, they become mine to keep and I can sign them off to your sister, Mia."

Joanna's gaze dulled. She had a boyfriend but never thought about marriage so soon. Their relationship was also too young. At this point, she was left speechless.

She always wanted to marry for love, but this was going to be like a marriage with benefit, and she didn't want that.

"You are quiet. Have you given up already? It still boils down to the same thing. Marry Alexander King, and you might not even have need for those shares."

༺❀༻

Three days later, Joanna was in a simple white knee-length dress, waiting for her boyfriend, Logan Matison, to pick her up to the marriage registry.

Logan was a very busy man, and since Joanna had spent her days with her mom at the hospital, it was understandable to not have seen him.

Speaking on the phone concerning the marriage, Logan agreed after a brief hesitation when Joanna explained that it was going to be secret, and they could divorce later if they weren't compatible.

The fact that they were dating did not mean they had to get married, so Joanna's conditions were quite reasonable to him.

Joanna had scheduled for their officiation to be the first so she could go back to be by her mother's side, but after two hours of waiting, it looked as if Logan had either forgotten or something had happened to him.

Dialing his number for the umpteenth time, the same robotic female voice kept responding, "the number is either switched off or out of coverage area."

Hailing a cab from her apartment, she heard the screeching sound of a car on the asphalt road when crossing the road to board the cab she had arranged.

Joanna froze from shock when she saw a Bentley headed her way but soon stopped just a meter away. Joanna lost her balance from shock, the same time the driver of the Bentley stepped out to stabilize her.

"Miss, are you alright? I'm very sorry to have not seen you."

She regained herself and forced a smile. "I'm fine. No scratch. The car didn't hit me. Besides, it was my fault. I should have been more careful."

The glass window to the back of the Bentley rolled down, and a man spoke from behind. Joanna could only see his side profile, her breath instantly caught up in her throat.

How could a man be so handsome and yet fearful? The allure oozing out of his velvety voice, exhuming respect and dominion as he spoke, caused a shiver cruising through her body, her ears turning red. That voice also sounded familiar to her but she could not connect the two people.

"Tell her to get in. You can take her to the hospital after dropping me off." He glanced at the Rolex wristwatch on his wrist impatiently.

Joanna soon began to rebuke herself for having such illicit thoughts about a man, when she had one herself and was even getting married.

"No. no, I'm fine. Please carry on. I wasn't hit."

There was silence, as if expecting the man to refuse, but when he spoke again, he sounded rather irritated.

"If you say so. Ike, don't waste my time."

The man beside Joanna instantly rushed to the driver side, the glass door rolled up as the Bentley sped away.

Joanna took a deep breath before sitting in the cab. She never met such a man in her life before and somehow, could not stop thinking about that voice, hoping he wasn't the man she thought he was.

She arrived at her boyfriend's house, afraid that something bad had happened to him so without knocking, she pushed the door open, her breath stopping with it.

Chapter 3: Chapter 3 – Let’s get married for six months

Joanna soon regained her composure. A woman's handbag meant nothing. She began to scream for her boyfriend.

"Logan!" She checked the kitchen, but it was empty, so she began running up the stairs.

"Logan!"

"Lo..." the door of his bedroom opened just as her hand was about to turn the knob, and Logan stepped out with a towel around his waist. His hairy chest was on display, making Joanna think that he came out of the shower, but his hair wasn't damp or anything of that sort.

From the words that came out of his mouth, he seemed to have forgotten about their supposed arrangement.

"Joanna, what do you want here?"

Joanna's eyes welled up. "Did you forget? Today is our wedding day, and why is your phone switched off? You promised to take half the day off to pick me up at my apartment, so what happened?

"Joanna..."

Joanna was so desperate that she refused to accept her suspicions. They had to get married now, and after getting what she wanted, she could divorce him later.

"Let me pick and iron your clothes. We are running late." She already barged into his room before he could stop her.

"No."

"What is the matter?" Joanna turned around and asked. Logan looked around, sighing with relief as the woman he was with had somewhat disappeared. Wherever she was hiding, he wished for her to stay longer.

"It's nothing. Just wait for me in the living room. I will come and meet you."

Joanna wasn't dumb. Not after the handbag she saw on the sofa. Without thinking, she refused. "No. I'm your girlfriend, and we are getting married. I will get your clothes. Don't just stand there. Get me some tea."

Logan reluctantly went to get the tea. Joanna stopped what she was doing and said, "Alright, come out, no need to hide."

She was not surprised when a shadow figure she had seen behind the luxury curtains of the French window stepped out from behind the curtains.

Thinking she could handle it, her knees instantly felt like jelly when her suspicions were confirmed.

"Who are you?" She fought back her tears and asked. The woman, who looked no more than 21, confidently approached her. She wore see-through lingerie and began to dress up in front of Joanna.

It was obvious that she had spent the night, an opportunity Joanna never had. Any time she even came to tidy up for Logan, he never allowed her to sleep over and would drive her home no matter how late it was at night.

"Logan is my boyfriend," the woman spoke casually. Her voice was like the summer breeze, serene and addictive. Even as Joanna knew that she had to give up, the fact that she had so much to lose without enough time to find a replacement groom caused her to lower her pride.

"No. He is my boyfriend."

To her surprise, the woman did not look upset when she claimed Logan to be her boyfriend. Sitting on the bed, she slipped her feet into a pair of high heels.

"Look..." she pointed at the door. Joanna turned in the direction and saw the shameful look on Logan's face.

"Not again," he muttered. None of the two women understood what he meant by that, but Joanna already made up her mind to cut her losses.

Logan was not too rich but neither was he poor and would not be interested in her money. As soon as she got her mother's shares, she would make him pay for making her a laughingstock.

"Here's your....oh shit...babe, it's just a little misunderstanding." Logan was muttering anything that came to mind, since he was with both women for different reasons.

Joanna was desperate, fighting against time and couldn't drag it, so she suggested, "you know what Logan, just choose between me and her."

Logan was nervous, forcing a smile. She made it too easy for him, but since he knew about her situation, it was well understandable.

The other woman seemed unperturbed about the whole thing. She opened the table top fridge and poured herself a glass of water.

"I'm sorry Joanna, but Violet is the one I want."

Joanna felt like her breathe was stolen from her. It was as if her world had fallen apart. "Logan, you can't do this to me. We love each other."

Logan was not stupid either. It was clear that Joanna was just desperate because of the shares, and now, he couldn't tell exactly what he felt for her.

"I'm sorry, but I never loved you like that. You were fun to be with and cleaned my house a lot, so I allowed you."

Joanna felt like the air was drained from her lungs. He used her and dumped her when she needed him most. She had no idea how she made it out of his penthouse with a level head.

When she shut the door, a heated slap greeted Logan's cheek. Though surprised, he felt that he deserved it.

"I know, I'm sorry," he apologized. With his good looks, it was very easy for him to find another woman.

There were more victims of his unfaithfulness, but these two were the best. Whereas, Violet was from a wealthy family, so she was the perfect woman for his image.

"No. Choosing me doesn't change the fact that you cheated. It's over."

Violet's expression was dark as she walked out on him. He caught her by the arm. "Please don't do this. Joanna is a good woman, but I chose you over her," he said seriously, but there was no remorse in his eyes.

To him, Violet should be proud to be the winner but he was in for a surprise. "Let me guess. She isn't as rich as me," Violet exposed him. Freeing her hand from his grip, she walked out without looking back.

As she reached her car and drove out, it was at the same time Joanna was hailing a taxi. "Hey, get in," Violet stopped in front of her, beckoning as if they were old friends.

Joanna frowned, not willing to accept the offer. "Why will you give me a ride?"

Violet didn't seem to know the reason either. "Will it make you feel better to know that I dumped him? He disrespected both of us. A man like him is nothing less than a dog, and we girls should stand up for each other."

Joanna was taken aback by the response as she eyed the sports car Violet drove. Her car had some fault and was undergoing repairs but was nothing close to what Violet was driving.

Pursing her lips, she went to sit in the car. "You might think I'm pitiful, but I needed the marriage certificate to claim my mother's shares. If you must, you can drop me at the hospital."

Violet was saddened for her but was glad the marriage didn't happen. "I'm very sorry I can't help in your situation, but if you go back to him for whatever reason, then you don't value yourself. The choice is yours," Violet said plainly.

Joanna forced a smile. "I know. But I had in mind to divorce him after getting the shares."

"Well then, good luck," Violet said, unlocking the car door. It was unlike her to take a decision for anyone, especially Joanna, who supposedly is her rival. Joanna went into deep thought, but Violet was patient. In the end, she gave up.

"Just take me to the hospital, please."

"I will, eventually, but you look famished. It's already lunchtime. Let's grab something at a restaurant at the corner. The bill is on me."

Hearing lunchtime, Joanna was already nervous. Every second counted, and she was close to losing her mother's shares.

To escape the headache slamming in with her anxiety, she was tempted to accept Violet's offer. "Why are you being so nice to me? You don't even know me."

"Maybe that is why he chose me over you," Violet stepped on the accelerator as she spoke. "I'm naturally generous, and a lot of men take advantage of it."

It made sense to Joanna. In the past, women were the gold diggers, but now, it seems that the men wanted rich women too.

"Thanks for standing up for me."

Violet glanced at her with a smile. "Girls must stand for each other, or men would always be men. We are not items they could just pick and drop."

"You are right," Joanna agreed, smiling for the first time. Violet's personality beat her imagination.

Arriving at the restaurant, Joanna felt uneasy. What if Violet was up to something? It would be better to patronize a restaurant she could afford.

"It's so expensive here. Shouldn't we try a cheaper place?"

"Relax, it's not that expensive," Violet responded, headed to one of the private rooms. Just as she was about to open the door, the lights went off for a brief moment, causing movements to halt.

A huge LED screen displayed balloons with rose petals. "Must be somebody's birthday," Violet shrugged and opened the door, but Joanna was reluctant to go in, eager to see who was having the lavish birthday party.

Not only her, but the customers in the luxury restaurant all seemed interested.

Suddenly, a beautiful woman's picture appeared on the screen, alongside colorful cursive words, "Fiona, will you marry me?"

Joanna's eyes were misty as the light shone on the couple. The few people in the luxury restaurant were all curious to hear her response.

Joanna could only see the back of the man, but the woman's face was very clear. She was beautiful, dressed in a high fashion short pleated skirt and a white shirt.

She couldn't see her leg from where she stood, but the woman did not look happy. Rising to her feet, she scoffed disdainfully at the sight of the ring. The sound of a slap resonated through the luxury restaurant, and everyone felt pity for the man.

Some of them felt it was because the man sat while proposing to the woman. "Serves him right. He should go on one knee, not sit, and propose."

"I still think he's romantic. The woman is just rude," another customer commented.

Fiona's voice was loud and clear. "Marry you? If it were a month ago, yes, but now, what do you take me for? You think I will marry a cripple? Hahahaha. You should find another cripple to be your wife, not me."

She picked up the glass of red wine before her, gulping it down before dropping the empty wine glass carelessly in front of the man. Looking behind her one more time, she shook her head and left.

"Joanna, the food is served," Violet called from the private room, having no interest in the marriage proposal gone wrong. An idea popped into Joanna's mind as she smiled and said to Violet.

"You can start without me. I will be right back."

Without waiting for a response, she rushed to the chair where the woman stood from and sat facing the man, who sat in a daze from the shock and embarrassment of everything that transpired a while ago.

He might not have even noticed that someone was sitting in front of him until the person's calm melodious voice began to rummage through his ears, pulling him out of his shock.

"Excuse me, sir. Your girlfriend dumped you, and my boyfriend chose another woman over me. Let's get married for six months and get revenge on them."

It was only after speaking that Joanna held the man's gaze, realizing how he bore a striking resemblance to her ex-boyfriend, but his voice reminded her of the cold man in the Bentley.

Instantly, she was flung with unease when she remembered exactly where she had met this man before, and what she did to him.

Chapter 4: Chapter 4 – Never Fall in Love with Me

Joana was nervous, but then again, she relaxed. The man she was thinking about was not handicapped like this one, and it had been just a few weeks since that incident.

The more she tried to justify to herself that he wasn't the one, the stronger her conviction that he was, though she could not explain the reason for his predicament.

"Sorry, I made a mistake," Joana said, losing interest in any collaboration between her and the man before her. But as she turned around to go meet Violet in the private room, he grabbed her wrist tightly, and she feared her bracelet was going to crack.

His words made her legs feel like jelly, and they wobbled.

"Sit," he ordered her, and due to his tight grip on her, she quickly obeyed, but Joana was clearly afraid.

This man did not look as simple as she thought him to be. Perhaps he was up for revenge, but her mom was her greatest concern at this moment.

"I had no idea you were crippled. You are not exactly the kind of man I want for my revenge," she feigned bravery, gathering her courage to look him in the eyes but lost the battle in holding his gaze.

By now, he must be offended and should let her go, or so she thought, but his response marveled her.

"I'm a cripple indeed, but why should marriage be your best form of revenge against your ex?" He was still holding her wrist tightly, forcing her to respond when she did not want to.

If a cripple could be so intimidating, then perhaps his arms needed to be removed as well. Fighting back her aggression, she thought about removing herself from the pit she just dug.

Joanna picked up the glass of wine in front of him and gulped it down, her eyes popping out from shock from what she just did.

"Sorry, I was thirsty."

Unfortunately, the wine was not settling well in her stomach because she hadn't eaten anything, but it gave her the boldness to explain.

"We were still at the early stages of our relationship, and he chose another woman over me because she's rich. Anyway, I only wanted to marry him to get back my mother's shares."

The man had a neutral expression on his face, making it difficult for her to discern whatever he had on his mind.

He looked so familiar in so many ways, but in all, he behaved as if they never met, so that relaxed her a little. Perhaps she was just overthinking it.

"Assuming I agree to your proposal, what do I gain in return?" He asked, hope resonated in Joanna's heart, but the question played on her mind, sending her into a daze. Joanna thought about the time.

She could still make it and get those shares, and then she could pay back this cripple for his kindness.

Strangely, he was so good-looking with a powerful vibe, but what did she have to give him at this point?

Her expression turned grim when she withdrew her hand from his and removed the 18k diamond ring on her middle-left finger. It was a family heirloom passed down from her great-grandmother, given to her by her mom for safekeeping.

Joanna always kept it with her, making her feel her mother's closeness to her.

"This is my most prized possession at the moment." Then she emptied her purse.

There was just $500 in there, but she gave them to him, wondering how she was going to survive until she got another job, but this marriage would mean she'll get the shares and no longer be broke.

"Have this too. As soon as I get my shares, I will pay you a hundred thousand dollars extra."

She expected something. A reaction. Something to give her a sense of safety, hope, or anything, but his expression remained aloof.

"You must have some rules as well," he spelled out, taking the ring and leaving the money where it was, but Joana only thought about the same rules she gave Logan.

"Well, the contract is meant for just six months. You can move in with me, but due to your condition, you'll have the bed, and I'll take the couch. You will escort me to events when necessary."

The man poured her more wine, which she did not drink due to what she was enduring with the first glass. "You don't mind my disability?"

She had mentioned before that she made the proposal because she had no idea he was a cripple.

Joana stole a glance at his legs, and since he sat on a chair, there was nothing unusual. However, if his ex said he was a cripple, then he indeed was.

"Well, for six months, I don't care about it. Do you have any conditions? You want to change anything?" Joana asked, trying her best to beat time and was amazed by the crippled man's demand.

"Yes. We have to sign a prenup. I don't need your money except this ring." He did not explain the reason for his interest in the ring, but Joanna was not ready to lose it.

The man gazed deeply at her, and she wondered if he was being foolish. Did he even have money? Aside from his good looks and neat casual outfit, nothing spelled luxury around him.

Joana frowned, wondering what he even had, but that would be to her advantage since she was the one getting shares worth fifty million.

"Done."

"There is more," he said seriously. Joana held his gaze questioningly.

"You must never fall in love with me, never question my movements or decisions, and you can never ever break this contract before the end of the six months, or I will sue you for a hundred million breach of contract."

Joanna was pastel, but then again, what did he have, and how could she fall for a cripple? His mysterious ways pricked her instincts, but she was too desperate to give it a second thought.

"Deal. But I will have my ring back when the deal ends. It's too precious to me."

He did not refuse but also did not agree, so she took it to be a yes. "I will put everything into writing, but we need to sign the marriage certificate fast."

The man stretched his hand towards her for a shake and introduced himself.

"Great. Call me Alex. I'm twenty-nine and an IT officer. You are?"

Joana felt at ease. It was a case of mistaken identity. It wasn't the man she thought it was because if so, then he would not have asked for her name, right? Also, that man she thought he was, was very powerful.

Her hand met his outstretched one firmly. "Joana Baker, twenty-four. I got fired from my job a few days ago, so for now, I'm searching, but not to worry, since you are working, we split all bills. If it makes you feel better, you are not my type of guy, so I will never fall in love with you."

She saw something strange flash in Alex's gray eyes, but it was gone before she could catch it.

"Alright, let's get married. So where is your car?" He asked. Joana let out a tight smile. Alex's condition would require a vehicle, but hers was still at the workshop.

Then she recalled Violet. "I will be right back. Just wait for me here."

She rushed to the private room to see Violet waiting for her, the varieties of sumptuous delicacies in front of her untouched. Joanna felt guilty.

"I'm sorry, but I just got a stand-in groom. Can I borrow your car?"

Violet frowned a little. "This car belongs to my brother. We did a swap because he wanted to surprise someone. So if you can wait for the waiter to pack all the food, then I'll give you a ride to wherever you are going."

"I'll take the offer, but my stand-in groom is coming too, and he's crippled," Joanna revealed. Violet seemed rather amused.

"Good. He won't cheat on you like Logan. You should marry him for real."

Joana was speechless but not in the mood for jokes. "Can we go now?"

After two hours, they both secured their marriage certificates. In front of the marriage registry, Joanna gave Alex her card. "I have to go see my dad. Call me if you need anything. But do you want me to get you somewhere?"

His condition worried her for leaving him like that, but she needed to get that money for her mother, and hopefully, she could pay for her car repairs too.

Instead of a response, she saw the man writing his contact behind her card. "You didn't ask for my number, but here it is. I already memorized yours."

Violet was stunned but kept her observation to herself until they reached her car. "Are you really leaving him there like that?"

Joana was conflicted and looked out of the window, but to her shock, she only saw the back of a familiar car, and Alex was not there.

"I hope I'm not dreaming, right? He's not there."

"Maybe a friend picked him up," Violet shrugged. "Where to next? I'm really starving."

Joana felt guilty but planned to give Violet a treat after receiving her shares. "To my dad's. I'll take your number and thank you later."

Violet did not accept nor reject the offer, but when Joana presented the marriage certificate to her father, she was met with a slap that sent her to the floor.

Visit freewe𝑏(n)ovel.𝘤ℴ𝑚 for the best novel reading exp𝒆rience

Chapter 5: Chapter 5 – Just a random girl

"Joan, what makes you think you can deceive us?" Her father thundered as Joanna's cheeks burned from the slap she had just received.

It took quite some time for her to lift herself from the floor and process what was going on, but when her gaze landed on Mia, who had a smug smile on the corner of her lips, Joanna faintly guessed what was happening.

Without another word, she stood up, ambled to Mia, and slapped her hard. It was not as strong as her father's, but enough to send Mia to the floor as well.

As usual, Mia screamed from pain, and her eyes instantly turned red, gaining the empathy of her father.

It greatly annoyed her that the two times Joanna showed up unannounced at their house, her mother was not at home to deal with her.

The first time, she was at the beauty parlor, but this time, she was out shopping.

Cole was vexed. "How dare you hit your sister?" He lifted his hand, about to hit Joanna again, but this time, she was prepared for him and warned seriously.

"Hit me, and your beloved daughter will pay for it. For every time you hit me, I will ensure to return it squarely through her. I might not like you, but I'm just giving you a little respect for age's sake."

Her voice was so calm that for a moment, one would think she wasn't the one speaking. It reminded Cole so much of her mother, and he felt as if he was talking to Monica.

Mia scrambled from the floor when she understood Joanna's plan and was not ready to be used as a scapegoat. Cole's palm, which was about to hit Joanna, tightened into an angry fist.

"You shameless girl. How can you fake a marriage certificate to escape getting married to Alexander?" He sniggered.

Joanna's arms folded across her chest when she got a fair understanding of her father's reason for hitting her.

He was not expecting the possibility of her getting married within the three-day ultimatum.

"Oh, I see. Well, see for yourself. This is not fake." She pulled out the marriage certificate from her handbag, waving it in front of him, but her heart sank into a bottomless pit when he snatched and tossed it on the floor.

"It still doesn't change anything. I never intended to give you those shares," he unintentionally revealed, regretting it, but it was just too late.

"What?" The news hit Joanna like a punch, but she was not ready to give up without a fight. Squatting down, she picked up the certificate, putting it in her handbag.

"Yes, you will, or I will sue you. Don't forget that mom is still alive."

If her mother presented proof of those shares, Cole would have no reason not to return them. Mia was afraid.

If the marriage certificate was real, then she would not be able to escape her marriage with Alexander.

"Dad, I don't think this marriage is real. If not, where is her husband? Anyone can fake a marriage certificate these days."

Cole nodded in agreement, though it pained him that Mia was not as smart as his illegitimate daughter, Joanna, who got married in just three days to get what rightfully belonged to her, but Mia had not been able to find a way around escaping her marriage to the paralyzed Alexander.

"Yeah right, where is this husband of yours?"

***

Alex arrived at the 50th floor of his office tower and gave the marriage certificate to his most trusted PA. "I want to know everything about her."

His PA, Edward, glanced at the document, and the mere heading got him elated. "Fiona proved herself to be a good woman. You were always right about her."

Edward was aware of the relationship between his boss and Fiona. Among the thousands of women, she not only caught his boss's heart but also agreed to marry him even in his predicament.

That must be true love, and Fiona sure deserved compensation, but Alex frowned deeply.

"Have you read the name on it?"

Edward rapidly checked the details on the certificate, his eyes wide as shock flung through him.

"What happened?" He wondered how there was a woman in the life of his boss, and yet, he knew nothing about her, but Alex was not in the mood to recount the embarrassing event from earlier.

"You have thirty minutes." The sternness in his voice gave no room for further delays, so Edward scurried out of the office and returned after twenty minutes.

"Sir, she's clean but has a load of problems. Her mother is admitted to the hospital for a brain tumor, and she urgently needs money for the surgery."

Alex did not show any expression on his face, rather asking. "Her parentage?" That was the most important aspect to him, but was hit with a tsunami.

"She's a half-sister to your betrothed." Edward wondered how his boss could just marry a random girl when he had Fiona. What if she had ulterior motives?

This was also a girl his boss planned to revenge on, so was that his reason for marrying her? It did not seem so from his boss's response.

"It can't be. There is no record of Cole having another child."

"Well, she is termed as an illegitimate child and not considered as part of the family," Edmund explained the details of the matter. Alex was still in doubt.

"I can't believe that I still married from there." He wanted nothing to do with the Bakers because of how greedy Cole and his wife were, but Edmund always had the facts, so this meant that Alex had made a mistake.

"Sir, does she know your identity? If you want, I can get Fiona for you." Edmund was glad to see the shock and regretful expression on his boss's face.

"No. Fiona rejected my proposal, but Joan has no idea who I am. To the best of her knowledge, I'm just a crippled IT officer."

"That's a relief. Then she isn't doing it for the money, and I guess she doesn't remember you from a few weeks ago."

Edmund was there when the incident happened. Joan had made his boss a laughing stock at that conference, and Alex was always bent on revenge.

His reason for being overly protective of his boss before was that he thought Joanna was after his wealth.

"Inform grandpa to cancel the arranged marriage. I..." His phone beeped, interrupting the conversation, so he checked.

'My dad doesn't believe I'm married. Can you come? I can send you the address.'

It was from Joanna, and just as he was about to respond, another message followed. 'If you are too busy? Then we can make it another day.'

'Send the location,' he responded, saying to Edmund. "Get me a cab. There is somewhere I need to be."

"Sir, What about Ike?" Edmund asked. Ike was both a driver and a bodyguard, so Alex would be well-protected, but now, he was going out alone.

Alex was running out of patience. This was the reason for the marriage, and he had to fulfill his obligation to Joanna, just as she would his.

"If you question me one more time, I will dock your pay."

"Consider your cab ready," Edmund said with a tight smile. Alex's temperaments were just too complicated.

Alex arrived at the Baker's mansion and saw the handprints on Joanna's face. Something moved inside him, and his gaze hardened.

"Whose fingers are printed on your face? We should cut them, don't you think?"