Chapter 6 – You have no right to refuse

Joana was amazed by Alex's guts but was glad he was standing up for her. This was what the marriage arrangement was all about in the first place, but she just did not expect him to act it out so realistically.

"Never mind, just let it go." A strained smile settled on her face. The slap was nothing compared to her mother's condition.

Besides, Alex was still lower in rank than her scum father, and Cole could make his life miserable.

Mia was upset that it was true and the man was indeed good-looking, but gosh. There was a great error in him. That could be the only reason why Joana got married so fast.

"Joana, what is the difference between this man and Alexander? This man is in a wheelchair and he looks broke, but Alexander, though paralyzed, is rich.

Alex had a look of disgust in his eyes at the sight of Mia. 'She's more repulsive than in her photos,' he thought to himself, glad to have escaped the arranged marriage with her.

At this point, he was glad that Joanna came by when she did, but he also found out the complications of the Baker family.

Cole was happy that Mia was finally getting some brains. "Your sister is right, and she's smarter. No wonder you are still bent on your mother's shares. I won't give them to you."

"You have no right to refuse. The condition is for her to get married, so whether I meet your criteria or not, what belongs to her should be given to her," Alex stated in a cold tone, his voice taking dominion with an air of authority that got Cole frowning.

'This cripple sure thinks so highly of himself. Who is he to act so high and mighty in the first place?'

"You are her husband, so shouldn't you support her? Why should it matter if she has shares?" Disdain laced his voice as he spoke, but Alex warned seriously.

"That's because they belong to her. Remember, what you don't give to the rightful owner, someone might just steal it in the end."

Cole was not too dumb to deduce a threat from calm words, asking, "What are you implying, and who do you think you are?"

It was so strange to him how this cripple had a strange air of authority around him, though not luxuriously dressed.

Those kinds of confidence were only reserved for the high and mighty, but somehow, he seemed to have them all, which was a matter of concern.

"I have said what I have said, so if you are as wise as you look, then choose carefully. Or perhaps, looks might just be deceptive."

Cole was furious, deducing the subtle insult thrown at him. So unnerving of a man who had no use of his legs.

Alex had overstayed his welcome. "Security, get this cripple out of my house," Cole seethed, but Joanna was equally upset.

His father lied to her, which was unexpected. Not after she had been shunned by him for all these years, and what she was asking for was something that rightfully belonged to her mom.

She could endure her father's disrespect, but it was not fair for Alex to be treated that way, especially in his condition when he was playing his part perfectly well.

"Dad, he's my husband, you are going too far."

"You are not important to me, so he isn't either," Cole hissed. Those shares would affect the company greatly if taken away, so how could he part with them?

This would not have happened if Joana had just agreed to marry Alexander. She would not have been here asking for it.

"Look at what you married? You followed looks and forgot about power and even legs. How can he defend you now? And wait a minute. Will he be able to give you children?"

His tone was now menacingly mocking.

Two bodyguards came in, and before their hands touched the wheelchair, Alex wheeled it away, causing one of them to trip.

With Cole being the closest, the bodyguard tried to hold the middle-aged man for support, but they both lost their balance, ending up on the floor.

Joana laughed, and as the second one neared Alex, all he felt was pain slashing through his foot. No one saw when Alex stepped on him so hard, he felt the blend of pain mixed with shock.

"Ahhh," he hopped on one leg and tried to check the extent of the injury. Luck was not on his side when he bent over a little as Alex struck him on the face.

"You!"

Cole glared at him, blown by the level of defense Alex put up even in his condition, so what would have happened if he was not in a wheelchair?

"Your security men are too weak. They can't even get a man on a wheelchair out of your house. How pathetic," Alex taunted.

Cole was so angry that he tried to pounce on Alex, but Joana blocked his path before shock registered on her face.

Her father would not have been able to reach Alex because the latter had even wheeled himself away. He was too fast with the wheelchair that he did not seem to need any help from anyone.

"You two should get out of my house and never come back," Cole yelled. Alex replied firmly.

"You will be the one calling her to come back." He was sure of it and was going to make Cole pay for it.

"That will never happen. Who the hell do you think you are? I will destroy you," Cole yelled. It was a promise, and he was certain to do so, but Alex smiled evilly.

"Bring it on. If you must know, I'm an IT officer. I can do a lot of things."

Cole scoffed. "Pttf, a mere IT officer. I will make sure to get you fired."

Alex did not say anymore, wheeling himself out as he already confirmed a few things. Joanna followed, but reaching the entrance, her mother's condition brought fear into her heart.

"Thanks a lot for standing up for me, but I have to go to the hospital. My mom is sick, and it's already getting late."

She already flagged down a cab before Alex could utter a word, but as she was about to enter the cab, she stared at him. "Where are you headed?"

Alex shook his head. "None of your business."

Joanna's teeth gritted together. He was protective of her minutes ago, and a second later, he was just being rude. Indeed, it was in the contract. She was not supposed to question his movements.

There was no time to argue, so she sat in the cab and left. Two minutes later, a Bentley parked in front of Alex, and the driver walked to his side, helping him to the back seat as well as watching out for cameras.

After ensuring that Alex was comfortable, he carried the wheelchair into the boot of the car. When he returned to the driver's seat, Alex was on a call.

"Edmund, clear all of Joanna's mother's medical bills but make it anonymous. As for her father, destroy him."

"Sir, your grandpa would not agree and might help him back to his feet," Edmund hinted. Alex thought of another way and responded.

"Then start slowly, all traces should lead to Salvatore Black and look into how Joana lost her job. Make sure she gets it back with double salary."

"On it, sir." Before the call ended, his driver, Ike, received a call, paling with it.

"Sir, your grandpa is furious after hearing the news about your marriage and has instructed me to bring you and your wife."