Mrs Hale, I Surrender
Chapter 135 This cousin is really amazing (2 more)

Chapter 135: 135 This cousin is really amazing (2 more)

The atmosphere in the room was awkward until Zoe Bell looked towards Yumi Johnson beside her, "Has cousin not arrived yet?"

"That girl..." Yumi Johnson said helplessly, "I just messaged her, and she hasn’t replied."

"She’s been very busy, I haven’t seen her in three or four days. If it weren’t for wanting to meet you and William, I guess she wouldn’t have shown up."

Although it was a complaint, Yumi Johnson’s mention of her daughter still came with a smile at the corner of her lips.

"It’s normal to be busy with work. What does she do?"

"She started a small company and is so busy that she’s hardly ever seen. I don’t even know what she’s up to. She leaves early, comes home late, always so secretive."

"That’s good, though."

Liam Hugh noticed the two chatting enthusiastically and frowned deeply.

"A girl running a company."

"Going out to be an entrepreneur for a few years, she doesn’t even know what her company is called, always evasive, who knows what she’s actually up to out there."

"Girls should be like Serena, gentle and sensible."

"Running a company inevitably involves socializing. She, a girl, hanging out with a bunch of men all day, and not young either, not even thinking about marriage. Once married, she should stay at home, support her husband, and teach her children, instead of running around outside for nothing!"

Zoe Bell distinctly felt Yumi Johnson’s face change slightly beside her.

"Say a few words, and that’s enough!" Yumi Johnson frowned.

"Who says girls must get married? If they are not in love and willing, it’s better not to marry."

"Not getting married? What sort of behavior is that!" Liam Hugh’s face turned livid.

Day by day, how come nothing goes smoothly!

Even his wife had to oppose him.

Yumi Johnson continued, "Her happiness is more important than anything."

"It’s exactly because you indulge her too much that she..."

Yumi Johnson suddenly stood up.

Any trace of gentleness in her eyes disappeared.

The atmosphere instantly became tense.

Liam Hugh was startled.

Probably considering it was the first meeting with Zoe Bell, Yumi Johnson took a deep breath and did not confront him head-on, "I’m going to the restroom."

"I’ll accompany you," Zoe Bell stood up, following her.

Once they left the private room, Yumi Johnson sighed, "I’m really sorry, making you see such a farce on our first meeting. He is just that kind of person."

"William isn’t really interested in Serena Conner, don’t take it to heart. It’s just him getting carried away, trying to set them up."

Zoe Bell nodded, "I’m not taking it to heart."

Yumi Johnson went to the restroom while Zoe didn’t follow her inside.

It was apparent that the affection between the couple was very ordinary.

It was also unknown why they had married back then.

Were the marriages arranged, a match made, or had they once loved each other, only to end up getting sick of seeing each other?

——

While Zoe Bell was waiting, she glanced at the paintings hanging on either side of the corridor.

One painting, brightly colored and with sharp contrasts yet harmoniously unified, caught Zoe Bell’s eye, and she looked at it a bit longer.

Then she heard someone say, "This is a Ferdinand painting."

Zoe Bell did not turn around, recognizing the voice as Miss Conner’s.

"He is one of the representatives of French Post-Impressionism, known for romantic colors and delicate brushwork." Serena Conner moved closer to her, "Miss Bell, don’t you know?"

Zoe Bell remained silent.

"Actually, if you just look more and learn more, you’ll slowly understand all these things. But some things can’t be achieved just by hard work..."

"After all, many people work hard their entire lives and still cannot achieve class mobility."

"The gap between people of different levels and classes isn’t just the distance of a painting."

Zoe Bell was speechless.

Miss Conner was really persistent.

"Brother Hale may just be intrigued by novelty right now; Miss Bell, don’t really fall for it," Serena Conner, relying on her superior family background, naturally looked down on Zoe Bell.

She’s just a dancer who relies on her pretty face.

"Serving with beauty, after all, doesn’t last long."

Zoe Bell chuckled lowly, "Miss Conner, are we that familiar?"

"What do you mean by that?"

"If we are not close, what right do you have to criticize my relationship with Mr. Hale?"

"Although I am not as wealthy as you are, nor do I have such a high level of education, at least I know one should have some dignity."

Serena Conner’s face slightly changed, "You ..."

"Clearly, you come from a good family, and your parents sent you abroad to study; surely they didn’t expect you to rush into being someone else’s mistress."

Serena Conner’s face turned ashen with anger.

"You’re just a mistress kept by Brother Hale; do you really think you are someone significant? Do you know who I am? Do you know who my father is? I’ll tell you, once you get dumped, you’ll face the consequences!"

"What are you planning to do to her if they break up?"

A sudden female voice interrupted their conversation.

This voice sounded somewhat familiar.

When Zoe Bell looked in the direction of the voice, she saw a person not far away dressed in taro-colored silk shirt paired with white suit trousers, holding a briefcase in one hand and draping a coat over the other arm.

Beautiful fox-like eyes, shining and lively.

Graceful yet with a cold allure.

Apart from those eyes, she greatly resembled William Hale’s biological mother, but she was not of a gentle type; her whole presence exuded a strong leading lady aura, bright and commanding.

Is this William Hale’s cousin?

Serena Conner seemed very afraid of her, her face turning exceedingly uncomfortable.

Stammering, visibly uneasy.

"Tell me, and let me hear as well, how do you plan to get back at her?" She leaned against the corridor edge, smiling, "I seem to have come at just the right time to catch an interesting scene."

"I was just joking with her," Serena wheedled with a forced laugh.

"Today is our family dinner; why are you here?"

"I just happened to visit Uncle Hugh, and he insisted on bringing me along."

"Serena Conner, that kind of talk might deceive this young girl but not me," she chuckled lowly, "Don’t you think I know what you’re up to?"

"It truly was out of Uncle Hugh’s hospitality that I couldn’t refuse," Serena gritted her teeth.

"Anyone with a bit of tact would know not to impose on a family dinner, even if invited by my father out of politeness; they would not brazenly follow."

Serena Conner bit her lip, the flesh of her lower lip turning pale from the pressure.

"Do you always just listen to whatever my father says? Don’t you have a brain to think for yourself?"

"I’ve told you before, William doesn’t like you; consistently visiting our home is just a waste of time."

"With that time, you might as well improve yourself. Surely, there’s more to your life than men! Moreover ..."

"This man is already taken!"

Serena Conner’s face turned deathly pale, "I ... I have something else to attend, I should..."

"If you have things to do, you’d better go home then."

"My coat and bag are still in the private room."

"I’ll have someone send them to your house."

"About Uncle Hugh," Serena still couldn’t let go.

"My father, I will handle it, naturally. What? You want to worry about my affairs too?"

"That’s not what I meant."

Serena Conner, clearly intimidated by her, cast a resentful glance at Zoe Bell before angrily turning and walking away.

Zoe Bell pursed her lips.

This cousin is truly formidable.

No wonder she could get Mr. Hale to make coffee, even mastering the art of latte art.