Married to the Secret Stanger

Chapter 24: Joanne's Restless Thoughts

Joanne sat in her room, staring at her phone. The hospital had called hours ago, yet she still couldn't wrap her head around it.

Her mother's medical bills… completely paid off?

By anonymous benefactors?

She had thought of Alexander immediately, but why would he help her? This was a contract marriage—he had no reason to interfere in her personal matters.

She shook her head. No, it couldn't be him.

Besides, Alexander didn't even act like a husband. He was distant, cold, and only ever spoke to her when necessary.

So who had done it?

She considered asking Diana, but her best friend wasn't wealthy enough to cover such a huge sum. The only other possibility was her father—but that was impossible.

Charles Baker had cut her off the moment she refused to listen to him. He wouldn't suddenly become generous now.

Joanne sighed, rubbing her temples. "This doesn't make sense…"

But no matter how much she thought about it, she had no answers.

—

At King Multinational

Meanwhile, Alexander sat in his office, quietly observing the city skyline from the floor-to-ceiling windows.

He knew Joanne must have received the call by now. He could almost picture the confusion on her face.

She won't figure it out.

Frederick had ensured that all the money transfers were untraceable, and even if she suspected him, she had no proof.

But something about this situation left an unfamiliar feeling in his chest.

Was he truly doing this to help her?

Or was this simply the first step of something much bigger?

Before he could entertain the thought further, his phone buzzed.

It was Frederick.

"The arrangement has been handled, sir," his assistant informed him. "But I did some further digging into Joanne's situation, and it seems her father, Charles Baker, has been making things even more difficult for her."

Alexander's expression darkened. "Explain."

Frederick hesitated for a second before continuing. "He has been blocking potential opportunities for her at Indigo Design. He's making sure she has no financial security of her own. It seems he wants to force her to return to the Baker family."

A chilling silence followed.

Alexander's grip tightened on his pen. Charles Baker was trying to control her.

To force her into submission.

He thinks he can manipulate her life?

He was wrong.

A dangerous smirk played on Alexander's lips as he leaned back in his chair.

"She's mine now," he murmured.

And no one controlled what belonged to him.

—

Joanne's Unwanted Encounter

The next day, Joanne was heading to a coffee shop near her office when she heard a familiar, arrogant voice behind her.

"Joanne."

She froze.

Slowly turning around, she found herself face-to-face with Charles Baker.

Her father stood there, dressed in an expensive suit, his expression unreadable.

"What do you want?" she asked, keeping her voice steady.

Charles gave her a long, scrutinizing look before sighing. "You've suffered enough, Joanne. Come home. I'll take care of everything."

She clenched her fists. Now he wanted to act like a father?

"Why? So you can control me? So you can throw me aside when it suits you?" she snapped. "I'm done being your pawn."

His expression darkened. "Don't be foolish. You think you can survive on your own? How long before you come crawling back?"

"I'd rather starve than beg you for help," she shot back.

Charles sighed dramatically. "You're still as stubborn as ever. But you'll realize soon enough that you need me."

With that, he turned and walked away.

Joanne's heart pounded as she watched him leave.

She would never go back.

But deep inside, she couldn't shake the unease that settled in her chest.

Her father was planning something.

And she had no idea what it was.

—

A Silent Protector

That night, in the dark corners of a private surveillance room, Alexander watched the footage of Joanne's meeting with her father.

His fingers drummed against the desk as he listened to every word.

Charles Baker wanted to control Joanne?

Not on his watch.

Joanne might not have realized it yet… but she was under his protection now.

And no one would take her away from him.

Not even her own father.