Chapter 11 Quest for Contentment

• Veronica looked utterly bewildered.
• "Do you know each other?" Shawn frowned.
• She snapped out of her daze, instinctively wanting to shake her head in denial, but her throat felt like it lumped, and she couldn't speak. She could only smile weakly, clutching Shawn's arm.
• The two stood together like a perfect couple.
• It turned out that he had intentionally lingered at the department store just to see Veronica.
• Jojo clutched the torn marriage certificate tightly. Yes, Shawn and Veronica are from the same social status. Without Old Mr. Lawson, he wouldn't even spare me a glance.
• "I lied. This marriage certificate was made by some street vendor for twenty bucks. It's worthless," Jojo chuckled lightly, bowing deeply. "Mr. Lawson, I'm sorry for causing you trouble."
• "I knew it. How could Mr. Lawson be interested in Jojo?"
• "Being exposed in public has led to Jojo's embarrassment."
• As the comments continued, the sour feeling that she felt intensified. She turned to run but was stopped abruptly.
• "Stop!"
• "This is bad. Mr. Lawson is angry."
• "Jojo is in trouble now."
• A chill ran down Jojo's back. She bit her lip, turning back around. "Mr. Lawson, is there something else?"
• "Shawn, what's going on?" Veronica's heart raced. She's supposed to vanish in the mountains but has now reappeared and is associated with Shawn. This is akin to a ticking time bomb.
• Could it be that Shawn knew that the woman that night wasn't herself?
• She didn't dare think further and gripped Shawn's arm tightly, demanding an explanation.
• "Jojo is indeed my nominal wife. The marriage is legal and stamped," he admitted with honesty.
• Now, everyone's mouths were agape.
• Veronica was flustered too. "How is this possible? You said you wanted to marry me and to take responsibility for me. How can you be with Jojo?"
• "Veronica." Shawn hadn't expected Veronica's reaction to be so intense.
• That day on the train, she had been as gentle as a lamb. Now, seeing her like this stirred a sense of disquiet in Shawn.
• His cold expression and hardened tone prompted the others to excuse themselves. He patiently explained, "I promised to take responsibility for you, and I will. I also said I would decide when we marry as well."
• "But you've both got a marriage license."
• "My marriage with her was arranged by Grandpa," Shawn confessed. Despite his impatience, he continued, "I promised to marry you, and I won't go back on my word."
• "Great, I knew you wouldn't lie to me."
• Veronica's mood swung like a pendulum. So, Old Mr. Lawson arranged their marriage.
• From the looks of it, her secret had not been discovered by Shawn. She smiled right away and said, "Yes, I trust you."
• Veronica was ecstatic as long as Shawn acknowledged this marriage—whether it was his second or third because it secured her coveted position as Mrs. Lawson.
• Seeing Shawn comforting Veronica like this, Jojo felt her heart weighed down.
• She stood there, unsure of what to do.
• Now, she felt like an outsider.
• "Veronica, wait for me downstairs. I have something to deal with," Shawn said.
• Veronica hesitated to agree but was confronted with his cold demeanor; she had no choice but to comply.
• Before leaving, she gave Jojo a triumphant look.
• Only the two of them were left in the hallway.
• "Now, are you satisfied?"
• "What?"
• "Jojo, you went to great lengths to gather a crowd and force me to admit our relationship in front of everyone. Are you satisfied now? Fulfilling your vanity?" Shawn's smile lacked warmth, his eyes icy as he asked, "Is this what you wanted?"
• At his words, Jojo's face instantly paled. "Are you suggesting that I staged this? To force you to acknowledge our relationship?"
• "Isn't that the case?"
• He had misjudged this girl from the countryside.
• He had assumed she would quietly get through the year, take the money, and they would have no further obligations to each other.
• However, beneath her innocent exterior, she was quite calculating—she acted weak and pitiful before attempting to insert herself into his life.
• Perhaps all of this is because I brought Veronica to see Grandpa today.
• Disgust was evident in Shawn's eyes. "Jojo, I suggest you behave yourself this year. Don't covet what isn't yours, or I'll teach you the meaning of power."
• The taste of power?!
• Does he think he is in a TV show?
• Jojo was furious. "What gives you the right to think that of me, Mr. Lawson? You were the one who wanted to marry me. You even promised me 100 million. Now, you're blaming me instead. Don't you find that ridiculous?"
• "Are you unhappy to marry me?"
• "I—"
• Being able to get that much money, of course, made her somewhat happy.
• Suddenly, a wave of severe nausea surged up. Jojo couldn't argue with him anymore. She pushed Shawn away and hurried towards the public restroom at the end of the hallway.
• ...
• Jojo felt completely drained after vomiting.
• "Baby, please behave and don't trouble Mommy, okay?" She rubbed her stomach gently, her eyes soft. It wasn't the right time to argue with Shawn. She needed to recover, deliver the baby, and set aside some money for her grandma.
• She wouldn't be easily defeated.
• "Why are you still here? The VIP ward's elderly man needs help again. Hurry up and clean." Suddenly, a nurse hurried over.
• Jojo nodded. "I'll go right away."
• The VIP ward housed Old Mr. Lawson.
• Jojo quickly gathered the nursing equipment and rushed over.
• He hadn't woken up yet when she arrived. As she did her routine, she was familiar with it, gently and skillfully cleaning him up. Then, she prepared a basin of warm water to wash him.
• Suddenly, Old Mr. Lawson grabbed her wrist. "Jojo, tell me the truth. Did that brat bully you? Why are your eyes so red?"
• "No."
• Old Mr. Lawson didn't believe her. "Really? I know my grandson. He's as stubborn as a mule. He wouldn't know how to comfort a girl. That's why he hasn't dated anyone until now."
• Jojo's eyes flickered with complexity. Does he not know that Shawn and Veronica are together now? Of course, if he knew Shawn liked someone, how could he still arrange this?
• Jojo breathed a sigh of relief. "He even took me to buy a new phone and clothes this morning… Ugh!" Before she could finish, she rushed back into the restroom.
• A wave of intense nausea rolled over her, emptying her stomach of last night's food.
• Jojo suddenly felt a pang of sadness.
• Maybe she was more suited for simple things, like plain congee, and not extravagant seafood.
• "Jojo, are you okay? I heard you vomiting just now." Just as she came out of the restroom, she was met with Old Mr. Lawson's concerned gaze.
• Jojo didn't want him to worry, pretending to be shy. "It's all because of Shawn. Last night, he insisted on taking me out to eat all those expensive delicacies. I ate so much that it's embarrassing."
• "Hah, that kid."
• After comforting him, she finally left the room.
• The head nurse had called several times, but she didn't want him to worry, so she hadn't answered. Now, she called back and immediately heard a roar on the other end. "Come back now. Pack your things and get your loss!"