Naive Wife Of The Crippled Billionaire

"The CEO of Giant Tech, Asher Wood, who suffered a horrific accident three years ago, has been allegedly reported to be impotent," the newscaster announced, her voice sharp and unrelenting.

"It should be recalled that he was left permanently crippled by the accident. A trusted source has informed our team that the Woods family is in mourning over the current state of the presumed heir to the Woods enterprise."

"He was reportedly married but divorced just a week..."

"Turn that off!" Asher Wood's voice lashed out, raw with fury. His forehead creased, his jaw clenched, and his eyes darkened with a storm of emotions.

Parker, his ever-loyal assistant, scrambled to switch off the LED screen. Then he stood still, watching helplessly as his boss silently drowned in torment. It felt as though a thousand knives had been plunged into his own chest, witnessing the way Asher ground his teeth, an act of sheer will to suppress the agony that clawed at him.

"I'll contact the media director immediately," Parker said, pulling out his phone, ready to dial.

"No."

The single, icy word stopped him cold. Parker's breath hitched. He stared at Asher in disbelief. This news could destroy not just his reputation but his entire career. Shutting it down was the only logical move.

"Sir! The news-"

"I need a wife." Asher cut him off, his tone clipped and unwavering.

"Again?" Parker's face twisted with unease. Slowly, he averted his gaze. For two years, the Woods had searched in secret, hoping to find a woman willing to stand by Asher. But once they saw his condition, they vanished without a trace.

The last one had married him, only to leave just a week later, the moment she stumbled upon his medical report. Now, it was clear who had leaked the devastating truth.

"The last one ended in disaster," Parker spoke quickly, afraid of another interruption.

"Naïve. Unexposed. That will do." Asher's gaze locked onto him, cold, determined, unyielding.

"Contact Dr. Leonard Lewis immediately!" Asher ordered, his voice steely and unwavering. He gestured for Parker to wheel him out of the room.

Parker obeyed swiftly, gripping the headrest of the wheelchair. But just as he was about to move, Asher's phone rang.

"It's Mr. Jalen," Parker informed him.

"Don't answer." Asher's voice was cold, final.

Jalen, his best friend. No doubt, he had seen the news and was calling to check in. The last thing Asher needed was sympathy, another reminder of his shattered existence.

Parker hesitated but eventually returned the phone to its designated compartment on the armrest. Then, without another word, he carefully wheeled Asher out of the sitting room.

Four days later

Dusk was settling over the quiet countryside. Aurora Smith sat motionless on the walkway beside a sprawling grape farm. Her head hung low, long strands of hair veiling her face. Even from a distance, her despair was unmistakable, her presence a picture of silent agony.

She had been sitting there for longer than she could remember, her body numb, her heart hollow. Her face, swollen from ceaseless tears, bore the weight of sorrow too deep to voice. Her eyes burned, yet the tears refused to relent.

Her nose was raw, running from the cold and the grief, and she sniffled repeatedly, wiping it with the soaked hem of her dress. The light drizzle that had begun hours ago had done nothing to move her. She remained rooted, lost in her own world of pain.

On the other side of the road, inside a sleek black car, Asher Wood and Parker sat in silence, their gazes locked onto her. Neither blinked. Neither spoke.

"She has been sitting there at the same time for the past three days," Parker reported quietly. "She only leaves when the farm gates close for the night."

Asher's eyes darkened, watching her intently.

Asher's gaze lingered on the information displayed before him, his sharp eyes scanning every detail. After a moment, he looked away, his expression unreadable.

"She's ideal for me. Get it done." His voice was cold, unwavering.

Parker hesitated, his concern evident. "Sir, are you sure about this?"

Asher had been married twice. The first lasted barely a day before ending in divorce. The second stretched to a week, only to collapse just as abruptly.

"Get it done!" Asher's voice thundered, leaving no room for argument.

Parker flinched but obeyed. He quickly unlocked the car door, stepping out into the damp evening air. The rain had ceased, but the earth was still slick with moisture. Without hesitation, he crossed the road, his eyes fixed on the lone figure sitting by the grape farm.

"Hey! You've been sitting here for a long time."

Aurora's head snapped up at the sound of the deep, unfamiliar voice. Her wary eyes darted toward the man clad entirely in black, his tailored suit, dark shades, and imposing presence making him look all the more intimidating.

Panic surged through her. Without a word, she scrambled to her feet, hastily dusting off her dress before turning to leave.

"I mean no harm, Aurora Smith," Parker called out, his tone measured yet firm.

Aurora's legs froze the moment she heard her full name.

Most people knew her simply as Aurora. Very few knew her surname was Smith.

Slowly, she turned, her wary gaze locking onto the sharply dressed man who was now walking toward her with steady, measured steps.

"I know your mother needs urgent surgery... and that you need 150,000," Parker said, his voice calm yet deliberate. "I have an offer."

Her breath hitched.

"Who are you? What do you want?" Her voice trembled, edged with panic.

"Call me Parker," he replied smoothly. "I want to help you... but I need something in return."

Aurora blinked rapidly, confusion flickering across her tear-streaked face. She shook her head, taking a step back.

"I have nothing to offer you. Good night." Her voice was firm, and she turned to walk away.

"Marry my boss, and your mother will be taken care of."

Parker's words cut through the night, stopping her in her tracks.

She spun around, disbelief etched into her features. "What?" she whispered.

Parker gestured toward the sleek car parked across the road. "My boss is over there."

Aurora's breath caught in her throat. That car, elegant, expensive, completely out of place in this quiet countryside, practically screamed wealth. Her heart pounded.

"I'm sorry," she murmured, shaking her head as she turned to leave again.

"Wait," Parker pressed, his voice urgent. "He will also ensure you get into university. He'll cover all expenses. Not just your mother's surgery, he will take care of her long-term. And you... you'll receive an allowance of 200,000 every month."

Aurora stilled.

200,000 every month? The offer was staggering, almost unreal. Too good to be true. Suspicion crept in.

"Do you just go around asking random girls to marry your boss?" she asked, her voice softer now, laced with doubt.

Parker exhaled, shaking his head. "I don't have that kind of time." He took a step closer, his gaze steady. "I've known you for a while, Aurora. I know you work at that farm. I know your mother, Lacey, worked there before she fell ill. I know you're her only child. And she's your only family." His voice dropped slightly, the weight of his knowledge settling over her. "Shall I go on? Because I know you well, and so does my boss."

Aurora gaped, her breath hitching as shock rippled through her. Her wide eyes locked onto Parker, her brows furrowing in disbelief.

"You..." she faltered, words failing her.

Parker didn't wait for her to recover. "Think about my offer and the benefits that come with it," he said coolly. "I'll be back at this time tomorrow for your final response."

Then, without another word, he turned and strode away, leaving her rooted to the spot, her mind spinning.

She watched him cross the road, slip into the sleek car, and drive off. The hum of the engine had barely faded when the blaring honk of a truck jolted her from her daze. Her heart pounded as she turned on her heel and ran home.

That night, sleep never came.

Her mother's weak, pained groans filled the tiny room, each one slicing through Aurora like a blade. But it wasn't just that, it was the conversation with the stranger. His words clung to her, suffocating her thoughts.

Who was he, really? How did he know so much about her? And why was he speaking for his boss? Wealthy men and their arrogance! she thought bitterly.

Her gaze drifted to her mother, curled up on the small bed, her frail body restless in agony. Aurora's chest tightened. The doctor had said that if the surgery wasn't done within two weeks, her mother wouldn't survive.

150,000. An impossible amount. There was no one to borrow from, no way to earn it in time.

A sob caught in her throat as the realization settled deep in her bones.

Wouldn't it be better to marry and save her mother than refuse and watch her die?

At that moment, with desperation clawing at her soul, Aurora made her choice.

She would save her mother.

The next evening, as usual, she emerged from the grape farm after work and sat on the walkway to enjoy the serene evening. Near dusk, she noticed a car pull up across the road-the same expensive car from the previous day.

The door opened, and a man stepped out. She recognized him instantly: the same man from the previous night. He wore a navy blue suit, sans sunglasses. So he was serious? Well, she had decided to save her mother.

She stood, watching him until he crossed over and approached her. "Hi, Aurora!"

"Good evening. I accept the offer," she said promptly, causing Parker to raise his eyebrows.

"You'll need to sign an agreement," he said, and she frowned.

"Agreement?"

"My boss doesn't want to be deceived. Let's sit over there and finalize it," he suggested, gesturing to a small coffee shop.

"I can sign it here," she insisted. Entering a coffee shop with a well-dressed man would attract attention she didn't want.

Parker retrieved a document and a pen from his jacket. "Here."

She glanced around cautiously; fortunately, it was dusk, and she wouldn't be easily recognized. She skimmed the document without reading thoroughly and signed at the bottom, then handed it back to him.

"Wait at the bus station in two days. I'll pick you up in the morning," he instructed, then walked back to the car.

Aurora watched him momentarily, then, with a heavy heart, headed home.

"Done," Parker announced as he entered the car, holding up the document for Asher to see.

"Your flight is in an hour. I'll pick her up in two days," Parker said, carefully placing the document into a briefcase.

"I've informed Davis; he will pick you up. The media has been handled," he explained while securing the briefcase. Task completed, he started the engine and drove off.