Chapter 13 The Clash of Wills

• For the next few days, Old Mr. Lawson called every night.
• He also instructed Arthur to prepare various nutritious soups for Jojo, claiming that since Jojo had married over, his granddaughter-in-law should be pampered, and Shawn should learn from him.
• Jojo was deeply touched and gratefully accepted all the soups.
• Shawn, however, began to grow suspicious. These soups seemed to be more than just for calming the nerves, as some could help with pregnancy.
• Is Grandpa so eager for a great-grandchild that he can't wait?
• Later that day, as Jojo descended the stairs, he called out to her.
• "What's up, Mr. Lawson?"
• "Can’t I call you if there’s nothing wrong?" Shawn frowned.
• The woman had given him the cold shoulder for the entire week. Even when they sat at the dining table, she wouldn't care about glancing in his direction.
• Does she think I'm some kind of wild animal?
• Shawn had never been treated like this. As the richest man in the capital, women usually threw themselves at him, but this girl was different.
• Feeling frustrated, Shawn ordered, "I told you to come and eat. Don’t make me repeat myself."
• "Eating with you? Are you leaving a tip?" Jojo blinked.
• Shawn was at a loss for words. He laughed in exasperation. "Jojo, are you obsessed with money? Tips and extra charges—the Lawson Family covers those for you. Are you that broke?"
• "Of course. How could someone like you understand the struggles of poor people like us?"
• "Oh? Tell me. What do you need money for?" Shawn asked.
• Of course, it's for my medical expenses… and prenatal checkups. Life needs money, man.
• Jojo wanted to count out every penny to Shawn on her fingers, but seeing his aloof expression, she gave up. "Shawn, someone born with a silver spoon like you wouldn’t understand our pain. Wait until you have starved for three days. You’ll know the taste of it then."
• Shawn frowned. "You went three days without eating?"
• "Yeah, there was this one year during a famine when Grandma and I could only drink watered porridge..." Jojo started, then broke off abruptly. "Do you need anything else? I'm pretty busy right now and don't have much time to chat. If not, I'll head off."
• Shawn laughed in anger. He dealt with billions, yet she told him she had no time for him.
• Asher, watching from the side, nearly burst out laughing but quickly silenced himself when Shawn glared at him.
• Shawn observed her.
• In just a month since she moved in, Jojo had transformed from a somber and thin girl to a vibrant and fresh beauty. She seemed to radiate vitality, her eyes bright and her smile dazzling.
• Realizing he had lost his composure, Shawn cleared his throat. "What are you busy with, coming and going so early and late every day?"
• "That’s all you wanted to ask?" Jojo frowned and said frankly, "Making money, what else?"
• Shawn was speechless.
• It made sense, but something felt amiss. He just couldn't pinpoint what it was.
• After a moment, he said, "Grandpa’s health has improved a lot, and he’ll be discharged soon. Make sure to spend more time with him, especially once he's home."
• "Don’t you worry. Since you promised me 100 million, I’ll act as a loving wife. If there’s nothing else, I’ll go."
• With that, she departed swiftly.
• Shawn’s face turned cold as ice.
• Fine, she's just a teenage girl. Why be upset with her? She doesn't even care about her status. Staying in the hospital as a nurse and dealing with patients' excrements, all while enduring teases from her colleagues? Why go through that?
• His expression softened as he thought about his grandpa.
• "Get ready. We'll visit the hospital after finishing up here."
• That night, in the city’s largest bar district, Jojo wore a short skirt. She served drinks as she moved between booths and the private rooms. When she emerged from one of the rooms, she grinned from ear to ear.
• "Awesome! Another two thousand in tips!"
• With this money, she could soon save enough for the medical checkup. If the surgery went well, she might even save her own life.
• She realized it had been a long time since she’d gone for a checkup.
• Satisfied, Jojo pocketed the money, but then a flash of light blinded her. She looked up to see a man with a camera pointed at her.
• "Hey, who said you could take my picture? Delete it."
• "Don’t worry, I was just playing around. I’m not a bad guy," the man said, spreading his hands, his eyes full of mischief. "This is a Polaroid. It prints photos instantly. Look."
• Polaroid? What’s that?
• Looking at the handsome and charming man in front of her, she couldn’t help but dislike good-looking, rich people, thanks to her bad impression of Shawn.
• This guy before her—the one with the Polaroid—was the epitome of that.
• "No bad guy will look like one. Anyway, it’s wrong to take pictures without permission."
• "Okay."
• Thinking she was a meek rabbit, he found out she was a firecracker. Chad became intrigued and handed her the two photos. "Here, take these as a gift from me."
• "Of course, it’s free. Did you expect me to pay you?"
• Chad raised an eyebrow. He glanced at her name tag and caught her name. "You work here? Alright, I’ll order two bottles of liquor as an apology. How about that?"
• "Two bottles? They’re expensive. Five thousand each."
• Jojo’s eyes lit up.
• The manager had said she would get a thousand per bottle sold. Two bottles meant two thousand. Her eyes sparkled with excitement, afraid the man would change his mind. "You said it. A man’s word is his bond. Pinky swear."
• Her eyes brightened, filled with hope.
• Really?
• Was it necessary to be so happy? While she went to get the drinks, Chad sent the photos to someone on WhatsApp. "Found a firecracker tonight. Mr. Lawson, want to bet? I’ll have her in bed within seven days."
• After sending the text, he waited.
• At the hospital, in a VIP room, Shawn was holding a translucent jade pendant, his dark eyes full of complex emotions. He didn’t even notice when Old Mr. Lawson was wheeled in by the nurse.
• It wasn’t until Old Mr. Lawson spoke up. "Still remember to visit me, huh? Hey! Why is the jade pendant with you?"
• "Huh?"
• "This belongs to Jojo," came Old Mr. Lawson's reply.
• Shawn paused, then handed the pendant to Grandpa. "Grandpa, you’re sure this is Jojo’s? How could a country girl have such an expensive pendant?"
• "Yes, it’s Jojo’s. I saw her wear it myself. She said it was her mother’s keepsake. Half is with her sister and half with her. She treasures it dearly."
• At the older man's words, Shawn shot up from his seat. That night, the girl beneath me with her innocent and tender gasps, the red peony on the pillow, the train ticket found at the guesthouse, and her faint, familiar scent all hint at Jojo being the woman from that night!