Married to the Secret Stanger

Charles Baker paced in his study, frustration seething beneath his skin.

His investigator had been useless.

Joanne's husband was a ghost.

But Charles refused to accept that.

No one could erase information completely.

He just had to dig deeper.

With a sharp inhale, he grabbed his phone and dialed a number.

"Find me another investigator. Someone who specializes in dealing with powerful people."

If Joanne's husband was hiding, then it only meant one thing—he had something to protect.

And Charles was going to find out what it was.

—

Meanwhile, At Indigo Design

Joanne arrived at work, trying to shake off the uneasy feeling that had settled in her chest.

Ever since Alexander introduced himself to her mother, things had felt… different.

She felt like she was being watched.

Diana, her best friend and co-worker, immediately rushed up to her.

"Joanne! You won't believe this!"

Joanne sighed. "What now?"

Diana grabbed her hand, shoving her phone in her face.

A headline stared back at her.

"Baker Enterprise CEO Spotted at King Multinational—A Secret Partnership in the Works?"

Joanne's stomach dropped.

"What the hell?" she whispered.

Diana grinned. "Your father is trying to get a deal with King Multinational! Can you imagine? If he succeeds, the Bakers will finally have some power in NYC!"

Joanne's blood ran cold.

Her father was dealing with Alexander?!

This was bad.

Very, very bad.

—

Alexander's Warning

That evening, Joanne sat stiffly in the King Manor's living room, waiting for Alexander to return.

She had to warn him.

She had to tell him that her father was dangerous, that he wouldn't stop until he got what he wanted—

But before she could even gather her thoughts, she heard the sound of wheels rolling in.

Alexander entered the room, his presence as cold and intimidating as ever.

He paused when he saw her sitting there, her expression tense.

Joanne stood up. "I need to talk to you."

Alexander studied her for a moment before nodding. "Go on."

She took a deep breath. "It's about my father. He—he went to your company today. He's trying to get a deal with you."

Alexander raised a brow, his lips twitching into a faint smirk. "I know."

Joanne froze. "You… know?"

Alexander leaned back in his wheelchair, completely relaxed. "Of course. He's been trying to dig into my business for a while now."

Joanne's hands clenched into fists. "Alexander, you don't understand. My father doesn't give up. If he thinks he can use me to manipulate you, he will—"

"I know," Alexander interrupted smoothly.

Joanne's breath hitched.

The way he said it…

It wasn't just understanding.

It was certainty.

Like he already had everything under control.

Alexander tilted his head slightly, his blue eyes piercing into hers.

"Joanne," he murmured, "do you really think your father can outplay me?"

Joanne swallowed.

She wanted to say yes.

She wanted to warn him that Charles Baker was ruthless, that he would stop at nothing to get what he wanted—

But as she looked into Alexander's cold, calculating eyes…

She realized something.

Charles Baker wasn't the predator here.

Alexander King was.

—

Charles Makes a Move

The next day, Charles received a confidential report.

A new investigator had finally uncovered something.

Something big.

Charles flipped through the file, his fingers trembling with anticipation.

His eyes scanned the page, reading each line carefully.

And then—

His breath caught.

His hands tightened around the paper.

His pupils shrank.

It couldn't be…

The man Joanne had married…

The one whose name had been completely erased…

Was none other than Alexander King.

The crippled heir of the wealthiest family in NYC.

The ruthless CEO of King Multinational.

And the untouchable man whose name made even billionaires tremble.

Charles' face paled.

For the first time in his life…

He realized he had made a grave mistake.