CHAPTER 67: CHAPTER 67: MY SHANNON

Looking at Claire Yardley’s self-assured demeanor, Landon Sutton said, "Why are you acting out a melodramatic play in front of me? If Miss Yardley is here to visit, you may leave now."

"Landon, you’re driving me away for this woman? What does she have that I don’t? She’s been married! Have you lost your mind?!" Claire Yardley looked at Landon with disbelief, as if she couldn’t believe he was still siding with Shannon Quinn at this moment.

Shannon Quinn found it quite satisfying. She didn’t know whether to say Claire Yardley loved the wrong man or if her way of expressing love was too extreme. Either way, if she were a man, she wouldn’t choose someone so suspicious, unreasonable, and confrontational; just the thought was exhausting.

"You must have seen them when you arrived; there are two people by the elevator. Do you want to leave on your own, or should I call them to escort you out?"

Claire Yardley’s face turned blue with anger. She knew Landon wasn’t bluffing and would indeed have her thrown out, as she’d already suffered this once before.

Fuming, she glared at Shannon Quinn, feeling dissatisfied, and angrily threw the bouquet in her hand to the ground before storming off in her high heels.

The vibrant flowers smashed onto the floor, scattering petals everywhere.

"It seems that Miss Yardley likes you quite a bit."

"Just because he likes me, does it mean I have to like her back?"

Shannon Quinn chuckled, walked over, and bent down to pick up the flowers. But Landon Sutton stopped her, saying, "Leave it be."

Upon hearing his voice, Shannon paused and looked at him, puzzled. He continued, "We can have the cleaning staff take care of it later."

Originally thinking he had his own reasons for stopping her, Shannon squatted down and, while tidying up, said, "It’s not that delicate. Are you really allergic to pollen?"

"What do you think?"

Shannon picked up the flowers, arranged them, and placed them in the vase by the bed. Landon frowned and said, "Why put them there? Just throw them out."

"The person might be annoying, but the flowers didn’t do anything wrong."

Landon watched Shannon lower her head to arrange the flowers, and suddenly felt that time had softened, so he let her be.

Shortly after, a doctor came in to ask about his condition. After a brief examination, assuming Shannon was a family member, the doctor told her, "There’s nothing much to worry about, just avoid prolonged sitting. It’s best to rest in bed for the first few days, and try not to get up unless necessary."

"Okay, thank you, doctor."

Two young nurses followed behind the doctor, eyed Shannon, and whispered to each other as they left with the doctor, "Is this girl Landon’s girlfriend?"

"Looks like it, quite pretty."

"They do look well-matched."

Shannon overheard their whispers and awkwardly glanced at Landon, but luckily he didn’t seem to notice the conversation.

Strangely, Vincent Rhodes hadn’t messaged her at all these days.

Before, even catching a ride home with Aidan Lockwood prompted an immediate warning message from him, yet despite all her interactions with Landon Sutton recently, there was no response from Vincent.

Could it be that he hadn’t recovered from his last injury? Or was he too swamped with work to keep tabs on her whereabouts?

"Why are you in a daze? Pass me the medicine."

Shannon snapped back to reality, went to the drawer he indicated, and according to his instructions, poured out the pills, counted them out, and handed them to him along with a glass of water.

He tilted his head back and swallowed the pills with the water, making even the common hospital gown look distinct on him.

The slightly open collar and the sight of his Adam’s apple moving as he swallowed made Shannon involuntarily swallow as well, quickly averting her gaze afterward.

She silently reminded herself that even though Vincent hadn’t checked on her lately, she still needed to behave appropriately.

Though she was well aware that her relationship with Landon was entirely proper, her married status made such close interaction with an unrelated man improper.

After he finished his medicine, he naturally handed the cup back to her. As Shannon took it, she hesitated and said, "Since it’ll be a while before you’re discharged, how about hiring a caregiver to look after you?"

Upon hearing this, Landon’s eyes, which initially held a hint of laughter and satisfaction, suddenly turned cold as he looked at her, saying, "What? Afraid I’ll ask you to stay and look after me?"

Caught with her thoughts uncovered, Shannon showed a trace of embarrassment before laughing and saying, "No... It’s just that Ronan’s company seems quite busy. It’d be more convenient to hire a caregiver."

"If he’s busy, don’t you still have time?"

"What are you thinking? My work schedule is so hectic; how could I stay here and take care of you all the time? A day or two might be manageable, but if you’re staying for ten days or half a month, I really don’t have the time to manage you." That, and she wasn’t sure if she could handle it emotionally.

Landon chuckled at her straightforward refusal and said, "You know, a significant part of why I’m injured is because of you."

Shannon replied, "I’ll pay for the caregiver, at any rate. I can’t constantly look after you. My husband is understanding and generous, but I can’t take advantage of that."

"Had I known you were this ungrateful, I wouldn’t have saved you back then."

"Right, you’re my lifesaver, and I owe you for that," Shannon said, an idea forming in her mind, "Hey, how about this: you wanted me to design something for you, right? I won’t charge you a design fee in exchange for saving me."

Landon’s eyes held a clear disdain: "Do you think your life is worth just a design fee?"

"Then what do you want?"

Landon looked her up and down, and her heart sank at his gaze. She hugged herself, stepped back, and said to him, "Why are you looking at me so sleazily? I’m telling you, I’m a respectable person, don’t entertain any inappropriate thoughts!"

She swallowed and boldly said, "I’m warning you; it’s best not to target me. My husband is a big deal, and if you harbor impure thoughts, he’s bound to sort you out!"

Landon chuckled, teasing her: "What do you mean by inappropriate thoughts? What do you mean by impure intentions?"

He paused, his voice soft, low, and suggestively ambiguous: "Mrs. Rhodes, what are you thinking? Who’s harboring impure thoughts... really?"

Shannon didn’t expect him to turn the accusation on her, frowning in anger: "Well, you know in your heart!"

Still smiling, Landon slowly slid down, lying flat on the bed, and closed his eyes while pulling the blanket over himself, saying, "You don’t need to come over here. If you have time, just go back and take care of my Shannon."

Shannon’s frown deepened: "Your Shannon?!"

He opened his eyes, lazily looked at her, and chuckled, "Oh, I forgot to introduce her. The cat I picked up, I named her Shannon. Does it sound nice?"

"You’re crazy!"