Mrs Hale, I Surrender
Chapter 157 Gather at the old house, a dog came in.

Chapter 157: 157 Gather at the old house, a dog came in.

Zoe Bell quickly took a shower, her left leg throbbing with a sour ache. She cursed under her breath, blaming William Hale for his torturous methods.

And yet, while that person brimmed with energy, she felt as if her vitality had been drained.

Supporting her waist, she managed to wash her hair.

She put on some makeup to look better, having felt a bit of a headache from drinking last night.

She had no idea how much her cousin had drunk.

At that moment, Hannah Johnson was still curled up in her cat’s nest, sunlight spilling into the room. Fanta, well-fed and watered, had lounged in the sun for a while and meowed a few times beside her owner’s ear.

As a result—

Hannah scooped up her chubby cat into her arms.

Fanta, frightened, scrambled everywhere, finally waking her up.

"Are you finally awake?" Yumi Johnson sat on the sofa, "You said you were going out to find Zoe last night, but you ended up drinking? Drunk as a skunk, competing with the cat for territory, you really are something."

"I’ve told you before, when a girl is on her own, drink less..."

Yumi rambled on and turned to walk into the kitchen.

Hannah crawled out from the cat nest, and like a lazy big cat, wrapped her arms around her mother’s waist from behind, "Are you making porridge? Mom, I knew you cared about me the most."

Drinking porridge was the most comforting after a night of drinking.

"Don’t touch me, you reek of alcohol, and you’re covered in cat hair."

"Just a hug, come on."

Hannah’s voice was lazy, as if she were cooing.

Usually strong and domineering outside, she always showed a daughter’s tenderness when she was by her mother.

"Alright, go take a shower now, get rid of that smell of booze."

"No rush."

"Your grandma is back."

Hannah’s face changed slightly, "When?"

"She’s already arrived in the Capital City."

"She said on the phone a few days ago that it was too crowded because of the national holiday, and she’d come back after the festival, right?" Traveling from her residence to the Capital City required taking the highway.

"With such a big incident at home, how could she sit still?"

"Did she call you?"

"Yes, she’s arranged to meet this afternoon at the old house and wants us all to dine together tonight."

Hannah looked at her wristwatch—oh my, it was already eleven o’clock.

She hurried to the bathroom.

**

Zoe Bell and William Hale finished their lunch and carefully selected some gifts. She also brought some of the Harmony Fragrance Beads she had just made and set off for the Hugh Family’s ancestral home.

The ancestral home was not close to Yarden; it was a one-and-a-half-hour drive.

Situated in Suburb of Capital City, one could see two stone lions sitting at the gate from a distance, a classic representation of a wealthy family, showing signs of restoration yet still exuding an ancient charm.

Especially eye-catching were the few unique black pines at the entrance.

The old house was large and empty, evidently rarely inhabited.

"Ever since Grandpa died, and Grandma went to the countryside for recovery, it has been almost uninhabited," William Hale explained.

Zoe Bell nodded.

Upon entering the courtyard, they heard a familiar voice.

"Zoe!" Hannah was feeding the red carp in the yard, "Come over quickly."

Being there for the first time, Zoe inevitably felt restrained.

Hannah hurriedly came forward to take her hand, "Don’t be nervous, Grandma isn’t home right now."

"Grandma isn’t here?" William’s expression remained unchanged.

"She’s returned to Capital City, and she went straight to visit Grandpa and Aunt without even stopping at home, and she’s also visiting the temple, that’s why she arranged for us to come in the afternoon," Hannah explained, glancing at Zoe Bell with a smile, "Back when Grandpa was seriously ill, Grandma went to the temple to pray. Grandpa got better for a while, though he eventually... But every time Grandma returns to Capital City, she always visits the temple to fulfill her vows."

Zoe Bell understood; it was a spiritual solace.

After all, the loss of both her daughter and husband must have been a huge blow to her.

Soon, sounds of cars approached again.

Accompanied by footsteps, Liam Hugh and Molly Hanson arrived.

Molly Hanson had dressed up deliberately, unlike her usual seductive manner, but instead dressed like a respectable housewife; the two held hands, their hands also carrying quite a few gifts.

"This is truly bad luck!" Hannah Johnson scoffed coldly, "This is the first time I’ve seen someone so shameless."

"Utterly despicable, she even dares to bring her back here."

"At her age, isn’t she embarrassed!"

"Liam!" Molly Hanson was startled on seeing Hannah Johnson.

"Hannah, watch your words!" Liam Hugh, seeing her, was seething with anger, "You made a scene at the apartment, causing everyone to know, what more do you want? I warn you, my patience has limits."

Hannah laughed lowly, "Then just keep enduring, I won’t change anyway."

"My temper varies with people, I give the treatment deserved by what people are."

"Expect me to welcome shameless people with a smile? How thick-skinned are you!"

"I’m only reflecting whether I’ve been too polite to you."

Liam Hugh could never win against her in words, his face turning livid with anger.

"This is the ancestral home, I do not want to argue with you!"

"Then hurry up and leave, save the embarrassment in front of grandmother."

Hannah said, glancing at the butler coming out from the house, "Uncle King, a dog got in, have someone chase them out."

"Hannah!"

A dog?

Liam Hugh had really had enough.

Ever since the news had spread in the circle, wherever he went, people pointed at his spine; already harboring pent-up anger nowhere to vent, he charged forward, and then...

A voice came from behind, "Some people are getting more disgraceful, even moving to strike his own daughter?"

Brock Hale had arrived.

Dressed casually, exuding a scholarly demeanor, although similar in age to Liam Hugh, his overall bearing was entirely different; Molly Hanson couldn’t help but stare a bit longer.

But the instant their eyes met,

the chilling sternness in his eyes made her scalp tingle.

Although Brock Hale would call him ’brother,’ deep down, Liam Hugh was a bit afraid of him, gritting his teeth to endure.

Remembering the last time Brock had kicked and hit him, he still felt a dull pain in his abdomen.

"Uncle King, what are you standing there for? Get someone to guard the door, don’t let every Tom, Dick, and Harry in, don’t dirty grandmother’s eyes."

Molly Hanson was so angry she clenched her fingers but didn’t dare to speak out.

Simply lowering her head, pretending to look pitiful.

Uncle King cleared his throat, "Miss, what you’re asking, I’m afraid I cannot do."

"Hmm?" Hannah raised an eyebrow, "What do you mean?"

"The old lady specifically asked for her to come."

Zoe Bell had been silent until now, noticing Hannah’s expression suddenly change.

William Hale stood aside, silent.

His face always showed no sign of any emotional fluctuation.

But Liam Hugh sneered, "Did you hear that, your grandmother personally called to invite us."

Otherwise, he wouldn’t dare recklessly bring Molly Hanson in front of their mother.

Although by this time the entire Capital City knew about his affairs,

he hadn’t divorced yet and couldn’t afford to be too public about it.

Hannah gritted her teeth, stayed silent.

But at this moment, Molly Hanson smiled apologetically, "Actually, I know you’re not happy to see me, and I didn’t want to come either, but the old lady insisted on seeing me, I really couldn’t refuse her kindness..."

"If that upsets you, I am truly sorry."

Zoe Bell was speechless.

Truly shameless!

Those words were deliberately provoking her cousin, also a kind of confrontation.

Hannah, with her fiery temper, was almost driven to tear her face apart, but Brock Hale stepped forward, coming close, and gave her a look signaling her to stay calm.

"It’s hot outside, let’s go inside," Liam Hugh led Molly Hanson inside.

Yumi Johnson was already in the house, and the atmosphere instantly became tense and delicate.