Mrs Hale, I Surrender
Chapter 198 Uncle Makes Things Difficult for Zoe? Holding a Grudge to This Day (2 Updates)

Chapter 198: 198 Uncle Makes Things Difficult for Zoe? Holding a Grudge to This Day (2 Updates)

Wyatt Hale coughed as he leaned close to her ear, his voice subdued, "Sister-in-law, when did you offend Uncle?"

"I didn’t."

Although they lived under the same roof, the Hale family’s house was vast, and aside from meals, everyone was busy with their own things, rarely crossing paths.

She and Finn Hale had barely spoken a few words to each other.

Why would she provoke him for no reason?

"Sister-in-law, if it were anyone else, I would have helped you, but with Uncle," Wyatt Hale coughed dryly, "I really can’t handle it."

"Good luck to you."

Having said that, this useless fellow actually made the excuse of making a call and slipped out.

Zoe Bell was left to face Finn Hale alone, creating an extremely awkward atmosphere.

She nodded to him politely and called out, "Uncle."

Finn Hale nodded without saying anything.

Zoe Bell found a seat far from him. Finn Hale gently rubbed Sweetbean’s belly, and the little guy squirmed on his lap. "You seem very afraid of me?"

"Not really."

"Come a bit closer, it’s easier to talk."

With no other option, Zoe Bell had to steel herself and sit on a single-seat sofa slightly closer to him, giving him an awkward smile.

She really couldn’t think of when she had ever offended this elder.

Finn Hale stretched out his hand and poured her a cup of tea, "Try the Dahongpao I sent to mother last time."

"Thank you, Uncle."

Zoe Bell wasn’t well-versed in tea, especially under Finn Hale’s gaze; how could she really drink it? She just took a light sip.

"How does it taste?"

"Pretty good."

"This is from a mother tree’s Dahongpao, its yield is very limited." Finn Hale’s fingers continued to fidget with Sweetbean, "You see, once a person has used or eaten something superior, it must be very hard to convince oneself to settle for lesser quality."

Zoe Bell paused, "That’s what they mean when they say it’s hard to shift from luxury to frugality."

Finn Hale nodded, his tone nonchalant, "So..."

"Why did you go to Payne Corps for customization?"

Zoe Bell suddenly understood.

Apparently, it was because she had gone to Payne Corps!

Since the video had leaked, the location of the incident was easily discovered, so Zoe Bell’s visit to Payne Corps wasn’t a secret.

Although her cousin had mentioned that the relationship between Uncle and Junior President Payne was just average, she didn’t expect it to be like this.

Just customizing some jewelry, that’s too much.

And to call it inferior quality.

Hard to believe, Uncle, appearing so clear and noble, still harbored a grudge from many years ago.

Finn Hale played with Sweetbean, "Actually... if you want to design jewelry, you could have come to me."

Zoe Bell was stunned.

"Uncle, aren’t you into designing buildings?"

"I also dabble in jewelry design. Some people are famous, doesn’t necessarily mean they are the best, fame under their name can be quite misleading."

Zoe Bell just listened quietly.

Until Old Sir Hale came inside from outside, frowning, "Finn, do you have no shame?"

"Dad..."

"Just because you lost to someone, do you need to hold a grudge till now? Even going so far as to trouble a younger person, you’re really something," Old Sir Hale scoffed, then turned to Zoe Bell.

"Don’t listen to him, go to the Payne Family for customizing jewelry; they are professionals, don’t listen to your uncle."

"That kid from the Payne Family is so genuine and nice, unlike you..."

The old gentleman’s face was full of disdain.

Finn Hale raised an eyebrow, "Where is he excellent?"

"He’s not?"

"Then why did you lose to him?" Old Sir Hale was almost driven mad by this son usually, and it was a rare occasion to find something that dampened his spirits.

"That only proves, you are even worse."

Finn Hale’s face turned green.

One sentence left him utterly speechless.

Old Sir Hale seldom saw his youngest son at a loss and his heart leaped with joy, as usually, it was only he who became infuriated.

"If you were really capable, you would win against him fair and square. Why hassle Zoe? She doesn’t understand your rivalry, and this, Uncle, is quite a feat."

Finn Hale was also frustrated.

Out of the corner of his eye, he suddenly caught sight of Wyatt Hale standing at the door, silent.

Clearly, the old man had brought this young man as his reinforcement.

Zoe Bell was usually very kind to Wyatt Hale, and seeing her in trouble, he definitely couldn’t stand idly by.

As expected, Wyatt Hale bore the brunt of his uncle’s ultimate fury.

Almost killed by his glare!

To thank him for his support, Zoe Bell paid him his part-time salary in advance, adding quite a bit extra, and Wyatt Hale was so moved he was nearly in tears.

"Sister-in-law, in this family, although we are not related by blood, we are true relatives!"

"From now on, I’m no longer an orphan in this family."

Zoe Bell didn’t know what to say for a moment.

When William Hale returned, she specifically asked, "Uncle doesn’t seem the type to hold grudges."

"Because his life has been too smooth, but then he met that Junior President Payne from the Payne family..."

"He only lost once, right?"

"Not just once."

"..."

"To be precise, they’ve had their wins and losses, Junior President Payne has also lost to Uncle before. They are evenly matched; the fact that Uncle has remembered him for so many years shows that Junior President Payne is quite capable."

Zoe Bell nodded.

Being remembered by Uncle for so long was indeed an achievement.

William Hale then said, "Your going to Payne Corps, in Uncle’s view, is like joining the enemy."

Zoe Bell felt helpless.

She didn’t understand the conflict between the two men; had she known, she wouldn’t have gone.

**

In the following period, Zoe Bell was busy with the store in preparation for a major promotion event. Many stores were holding promotional sales, but the incense sticks in Zoe’s store were all handmade and couldn’t be mass-produced, making it really difficult to compete.

However, the online store had more traffic than before, and naturally, sales were good as well.

When she received a call from Payne Corps a week later.

"Miss Bell, hello, I am the assistant of Junior President Payne, my surname is Law."

"Assistant Law, hello."

"The initial draft of your custom rings is ready. When are you available for a meeting?"

"I’m free today; should I come to Payne Corps to meet you?"

Zoe Bell hadn’t expected the design drafts to be ready so quickly.

Her cousin had said that she received the initial draft only after six months.

It then took another two months to finalize the final draft.

The entire process, from start to finish, had dragged on for over a year.

"I’m currently in Eastern City, going to the company would be a bit of a detour; where do you live? If it’s convenient, let’s meet somewhere outside."

"That works."

Due to the video leak incident, Zoe Bell also didn’t really want to go to Payne Corps.

She had heard that gossip reporters were specifically waiting nearby.

She definitely didn’t want to be cornered by reporters.

The Old House of Hale Family was in the suburb of Eastern City. When Zoe Bell received the address, she found it wasn’t far and drove there. The place was set in a teahouse, where she could smell a faint scent of sandalwood as soon as she entered.

"Miss Bell." Assistant Law had been waiting outside, his eyes landing on the packaging bag she was holding.

The packaging had the logo "Triple & Double" printed on it.

He smiled, "Do you need help carrying that?"

"Last time Junior President Payne gave me a cellphone and helped me design for free, I really appreciate it. Since he likes incensed products, these are made by me, please pass them on to him."

As Zoe Bell spoke, she handed over the packaging bag.

Assistant Law smiled, "Why don’t you give it to him yourself?"

"Hmm?"

"Junior President Payne is waiting for you in the private room."

"..."

Zoe Bell was stunned; according to her cousin’s account, she had customized a whole set of necklaces and had only met Junior President Payne once.

Just for the initial draft interface, was it necessary for Junior President Payne to personally attend?