Alex's eyes burned into the young woman as she found her way to the front of the now silent courtroom. The soft yet, deliberate click of her heels was the only sound that could be heard, a complete contrast to the wild storm that brewed inside Alex. His right-hand man, Dan, tensed beside him, his lips held in a deep scowl.

“And who might you be?” Alex finally asked as she stood directly in front of him.

“Lauren. Melissa's half sister,” she said simply.

“The wedding contract was sent to Melissa, so why are you standing here in her place?” Alex asked coldly.

“Melissa has no interest whatsoever in you. To her, you're just another man in the queue dying to get a taste of her love,” she said as she looked at him. “But you'll never be able to get pass that queue.” She glanced at the wheelchair he sat on.

Alex raised a brow in question. He still didn't comprehend why she was standing there in front of him, offering herself willingly.

Lauren was obviously very different from her sister. She didn't look exquisite, nor did her beauty seem to catch every male's attention.

But there was something unique.

Her strength. Her posture.

Even with her cheap outfit, she stood like the most confident woman in the room. And something about that attitude made Alex more curious about her.

But still, Melissa was the one he wanted. He hadn't thought about getting tied to any woman apart from the woman who had rescued him.

Everyone had said he shouldn't be hopeful, Melissa will most likely never turn up for the wedding. Although, he still believed that the woman whose eyes held so much softness wouldn't put a man's disability above his true worth.

However, now, after waiting in the courtroom for more than three hours, he was sure that Melissa will never show up.

“Melissa does not want you_” she started, but Alex cut her off quickly.

“I get your point, now move on.” he narrowed his at her. The thought of being rejected by Melissa still pricked his skin.

“But you still need a wife. And I, in return, need your help.”

“So you want me to marry you instead.” It wasn't a question.

“You're a businessman, and I know how much you value a good, fair exchange.”

Alex's lips curled. He couldn't deny how the fire in her eyes made him feel some kind of way. He was unable to describe the feeling.

“Boss, we should talk more about this_” Dan tried to talk him out.

“No, we won't.”

He stared at Lauren, his strong gaze doing nothing to intimidate her.

Alex curled his lips.

She's made of steel, he thought.

“Do you have an idea of what you're getting into?” He asked. “As you can see, I'm not your typical whole man. Once you get in, there's never a way out.”

“I've had time to think about my decision well. I'm more than ready.”

He could see it now, her eyes– the desperation in her tiny voice. But it wasn't just that. There was something else, something that intrigued him…defiance and a mix of rebellion. This woman standing before him was truly a mystery he didn't know if he cared enough to solve.

But he was in a tight spot. Another door has been opened to him, and he would be a fool if he didn't run towards it.

He turned to the registrar, “Prepare the documents.”

At least now, he wouldn't disappoint his investors.

****

The marriage was finalized quickly, Dan constantly throwing a disapproving gaze at Alex. But, Alex was only focused on the woman sitting close to him in the car.

Lauren looked away from him, her eyes following the trees and houses as they passed by.

“You never told me what you wanted from me in return,” Alex finally said, breaking the comfortable silence. “What do you want from me?”

Lauren tensed by his side as she slowly turned to look at him. “Can we not talk about it here?” She pleaded with her eyes.

“You expect my boss to marry you without knowing what's up your sleeve?” Dan glared at her.

“He's already married to me,” Lauren spat back.

Alex watched them in amusement, a smile forming on his lips. But then his eyes suddenly returned cold again. “The jury's still out. Don't get ahead of yourself,” he said to Lauren.

“I just want us to discuss in a more comfortable setting. That's all,” she told him.

The car finally pulled up to the motion, Alex, helping his bride to step out of his sleek car.

Lauren watched in amazement as she went closer and closer to the house.

“Woah! You live here alone?” She asked, amazed, as her eyes continued to take in her environment.

“Yes, in this particular building. But my uncle and nephew stay in the other building.”

“Oh, I see. Your home is nice.” She genuinely said.

“It's your home now, Lauren,” he said, looking up at her. “…well, until I hear the reason you married me.”

“Oh…” Lauren turned her eyes away from him.

“Enough of the stalling now. What do you need my help with?”

Lauren looked up to find Dan already glaring at her. He really didn't trust her, that much she noticed. She knew his boss didn't trust her as well, but Dan made his own pretty obvious.

“My mother is very ill. I couldn't raise the money alone for her treatment.” She said, wincing internally at how she sounded. She sounded like someone who was selling her body for money. “I just had to do this.”

Lauren's words landed like gun shots to Alex's ears. He had really hoped Lauren was different…someone who didn't want him just for his wealth.

“So you married me because of my money,” he said coldly, his words coming out harsher than he had intended.

“No, that's not it. I married you to save my mother's life. The only woman who had been there for me when my father rejected me like a stray animal,” she said as she clenched her hands. “There's a big difference between the two.”

But this only made Alex's jaw stiffened. “What about your biological father? He's among the wealthiest men in the country. Why didn't you run to him instead?”

“My father hates me and my mother. He was the first person I reached out to. But he and his disgraceful family kicked me out of their dinning like a dirty rag, telling me that I wasn't worth a penny of theirs,” Lauren seethed as she recalled her encounter with her family.

Dan cursed quietly by his side, his hands clenching tight.

“So you thought the next best thing was to go into a marriage with the man who wanted your sister, so you could get him to fund all your bills,” Alex said, narrowing his eyes at her.

“Trust me, I'm as displeased with this situation as you are. But I'm not the only one getting something out of this marriage,” she looked down to stare at him directly. “You wouldn't have rushed the marriage that quick if you weren't in a tight situation yourself. And if I have to get a man to marry me to save the only person that matters to me, I won't hesitate, Alex,” she finished, his name rolling out of her lips like a prayer. “This marriage doesn't have to mean a thing. It's purely busi__”

Just before she could finish her statement, a voice interrupted her, making Alex turn around in fury, his hand tightened over the armrest of his wheelchair.