Married to the Secret Stanger

Charles Baker stormed into his office, slamming his fist onto his desk.

His sources had mentioned it to him but he never believed it, even when he confronted her about it. How could his own daughter get married without his knowledge?

Unless… she was hiding it on purpose.

A dark smirk crept onto his lips.

If Joanne was keeping her marriage a secret, then there had to be a reason.

And that meant…

It could be used against her.

—

Charles' Investigation Begins

Charles wasted no time.

"Find out everything about Joanne's husband," he ordered his investigator. "I want names, connections, finances—everything."

The investigator nodded and left immediately.

Charles sat back, swirling a glass of whiskey in his hand.

If Joanne had married a wealthy man, then he could use her to his advantage.

If her husband was weak, he could manipulate him.

If he was powerful, he would force Joanne to act as his leverage.

Either way…

Joanne wouldn't escape him.

—

Meanwhile, At King Manor

Joanne sat in the luxurious living room, still processing everything that had happened at the hospital the other day.

She had never expected Alexander to personally visit her mother.

Even more shocking—her mother adored him.

Linda Baker had looked at Alexander like he was the perfect son-in-law.

And worst of all?

Alexander had played along flawlessly.

She sighed, rubbing her temples.

This marriage… was getting more complicated by the day.

Just then, Frederick walked in.

"Mrs. King, Mr. King will be arriving soon," he informed her.

Joanne nodded absentmindedly, but then she paused.

There was something about Frederick…

A knowing look in his eyes.

She narrowed her gaze. "Frederick, how long have you been working for Alexander?"

Frederick gave a small smile. "For many years."

Joanne hesitated before asking the next question.

"Do you know why he agreed to marry me?"

Frederick's expression didn't change. "That is something only Mr. King can answer."

Joanne exhaled, feeling frustrated.

She was beginning to realize something.

Alexander King didn't do anything without a reason.

So why had he really agreed to this contract marriage?

—

Charles Hits a Dead End

The next morning, Charles sat at his desk, eagerly awaiting his investigator's report.

But when the man finally arrived, he looked pale.

Charles frowned. "What did you find?"

The investigator cleared his throat, placing a thin folder on the desk.

"Sir, it's strange… It's as if Joanne's husband doesn't exist."

Charles' eyes narrowed.

"What the hell does that mean?"

The investigator shifted uncomfortably. "There are no marriage records under Joanne Baker's name. No public wedding, no registration, no trace of a spouse in her financial records."

Charles slammed his fist onto the desk. "That's impossible!"

The investigator swallowed hard. "Sir… It's like someone erased all evidence of the marriage."

Charles' blood ran cold.

Who had the power to erase an entire marriage from existence?

His heart pounded as a terrifying thought crept into his mind.

Could Joanne's husband be someone powerful?

Someone far beyond his reach?

For the first time, a sliver of unease settled in his chest.

—

Alexander's Next Move

That night, Alexander sat in his private study, swirling a glass of whiskey as Frederick stood before him.

"Charles Baker is digging, just as we expected," Frederick reported. "But he's hitting dead ends."

Alexander smirked. "Let him dig."

Frederick hesitated before continuing.

"Sir, what will you do if he refuses to back down?"

Alexander's smirk faded, replaced by a cold, dangerous glint in his eyes.

"Then I will remind him…why he should never cross me."