Chapter 3 A Contractual Marriage

• A few days later, at Lison Medical Center...
• Jojo, now in a cleaner's uniform, moved through the hospital wards. After collapsing at the entrance, a kind woman helped her and offered her a part-time job. Making 120 bucks daily, she slowly saved up for her medical bills.
• "Jojo! The VIP ward patient had an accident again. Get over there and clean it up, quick!" the chief nursing officer called out.
• "On it!" Jojo responded promptly.
• She tackled all the unpleasant and exhausting tasks without complaint. Seeing so many goodbyes in the ICU made her value every second she had.
• After changing a patient's sheets, Jojo unintentionally ran into someone while heading to throw them away.
• A voice snapped, "Watch where you're going! Do you have any idea who you just ran into?"
• "I'm really sorry," Jojo swiftly stated, bending down to clean up the mess. When she finished, she realized the guy was still there. She gazed up and met a pair of piercing, cold eyes and a strikingly handsome face.
• Wow, he's really good-looking! Jojo thought, momentarily dazed.
• The guy narrowed his eyes as he quickly yanked down her mask. "It's you?! Trying to worm your way back to my grandpa, huh? Unbelievable!"
• "Hmm... I don't think we've met," Jojo replied, confused.
• The man coldly smirked as he retorted, "Oh, so you don't recognize me after vanishing from my place for a few weeks?" It was Shawn.
• "It's you!" Jojo blurted out. She sighed inwardly and wondered, Why do we always meet in such awkward situations?
• Jojo never anticipated seeing Shawn here.
• Coming across Shawn here caught Jojo entirely off guard. He'd been masked the last time she'd seen him, rendering him unrecognizable.
• As Shawn introduced himself just now, her thoughts raced. She briefly entertained the idea of escaping. Before she could act, Shawn seized her collar and yanked her back.
• "Thinking of making a run for it, huh? Try that again, and I'll have my guy break your legs," Shawn threatened, his tone cutting and serious.
• "No, please!" Jojo's face went pale with fear. She desperately wanted to explain that she had no involvement with the killer and was actually a victim, but fear kept her silent.
• Gripping her hands tightly together, she pleaded, "Mr. Lawson, I'm just a regular girl. You're a big shot; you don't need to bother with someone like me. Please, just let me go... I came to the hospital to make money for my treatment. I honestly don't know what you're accusing me of."
• Shawn frowned as he studied Jojo's determined yet vulnerable expression. Her eyes, wide with apprehension, reminded him strangely of the girl he had once met on a train.
• Snorting, he replied dismissively, "The old man lying in that bed is my grandpa. Did you even know that?"
• "I swear on my life! I had no clue. I'm here for treatment, not to get tangled up in your family matters. Even if I were ten times braver, I wouldn't dare approach him. If I saw you, I'd avoid you like the plague," Jojo swore earnestly, tears welling up.
• Her words really ticked Shawn off.
• He thought, I've chased after women like they're going out of style over the years, but she's the first to win Grandpa's approval. I can't believe she's as innocent as she appears.
• Shawn grabbed Jojo's arm firmly, applying a bit of pressure.
• "Ow... that hurts, stop it!" Jojo gasped, her face going pale.
• "You can't just grab me like this out in the open! Help!" She impulsively bit Shawn's hand, leaving a red mark, but he didn't even flinch.
• "Sh... Shawn, stop." A soft and old voice suddenly cut in.
• It was Shawn's grandpa, Rupert Lawson. His waking up prompted a group of specialists to rush into the VIP ward and check on him. After the checkup, they removed the kit.
• Later, Rupert took off his oxygen mask and signaled Jojo to approach. "Jojo, come here."
• "Mr. Rupert, is that really you?" Jojo exclaimed, shocked to realize that the man she'd been caring for was the same person she and her grandma had saved from a heart attack during a mountain herb-picking expedition.
• Rupert had been bedridden for a long time, hooked up to multiple medical devices. Jojo was so focused on caring for him that she didn't recognize him as someone she knew.
• She hadn't expected Rupert to age so much in just two years. Even more shocking was finding out that the tough-as-nails Shawn was Rupert's grandson.
• "Mr. Rupert, what's going on?" Jojo's eyes filled with tears as she shook free from Shawn's grip and gently held Rupert's frail hand.
• Rupert smiled as he replied, "It's just my usual problem. Why are you crying? Remember, you should be careful not to become an old maid who never gets hitched."
• Jojo replied with a soft smile, "You always know how to tease, Mr. Rupert."
• Rupert let out a deep sigh, giving Shawn a stern look. Shawn then approached them respectfully, though with hostility in his eyes toward Jojo. He addressed Rupert with a respectful "Grandpa."
• Rupert brought their hands together and turned to Jojo. "Remember what I told you? Despite his fiery tantrum, my grandson is a good man and works as a general manager for the company. I've seen enough corruption in wealthy families and always aimed to find him a wife with a spotless reputation. Jojo, are you interested?"
• Jojo was taken aback. Marry this cruel guy?!
• Before she could reject, Shawn wrapped his arms around her tightly from behind. His voice was cold as he whispered in her ear, "Grandpa's running out of time. I'll ensure you're left out in the wild if you dare refuse."
• Jojo had no choice but to shudder and force a smile as she nodded.
• After a brief chat with Rupert, Shawn took advantage of Rupert's need for rest to whisk Jojo away with him.
• Soon enough, Asher produced an agreement.
• "The deal's for a year. During that time, we'll live as a married couple. Once we get the marriage certificate, you're my wife. Take good care of my grandpa. The deal ends after a year," Shawn stated flatly.
• In his mind, he thought, Marrying this country bumpkin really messes up my image.
• Jojo felt surprised as she read it. "You'll fork over one billion after we split?!"
• "Any problems?" Shawn asked.
• Jojo replied cheerfully, "Of course not!"
• One billion is a huge pile! Perhaps I can use it for my brain cancer treatment or bring Grandma from the countryside for a better life, she thought, her face lighting up with a big smile.
• Seeing her reaction, Shawn's contempt for her grew. "Sign it now since you're cool with it."
• "Wait, I have one more ask. Can you pay the one billion monthly? I still need money for all my living expenses—food, shelter, the work," Jojo hesitated. She wasn't sure she could last the year without it.
• "How much do you need?" Shawn asked, but inwardly thinking she was pushing her luck.
• After a moment, Jojo demanded, "Ten thousand a month. That should do."
• Ten thousand was a small sum for Shawn, but he wasn't about to cave so easily. "You've got maids handling your daily needs at the Lawson Estate. I'll throw in an extra thousand bucks each month. Remember, no haggling with me. Got it?"
• "Fine," Jojo agreed.
• Honoring Rupert's last wish, Jojo vigilantly signed her name on the agreement, hoping to do some good along the way.