Mrs Hale, I Surrender
Chapter 225 - 224 Mr. Hale vs Junior President Payne, the Difficult Elder Brother-in-Law

Chapter 225: 224 Mr. Hale vs Junior President Payne, the Difficult Elder Brother-in-Law

Tim Payne just thought of Finn Hale and felt a headache coming on as he rubbed his temples.

He and Finn weren’t exactly archenemies.

Both being proud of their talents, it was inevitable for there to be some arrogance, with neither wanting to be outdone. Unfortunately, the design circle was small, and they were bound to run into each other. Over the years, some seniors had tried to ease the relationship between the two...

But to no avail.

They would never have guessed:

That their reconciliation came about because they had become relatives by marriage.

"Tim, are you not feeling well?" Julia Yates looked at her son.

"I’m fine."

"Why don’t you and your brother-in-law go back to rest first; you’ve been working hard lately."

"Mom, I’m fine."

Tim glanced at Zoe Bell and still took William Hale back to the Payne family’s vacation home by the sea.

At the entrance, two dogs and a cat were lazily basking in the sun, coexisting harmoniously.

"These are stray cats and dogs from around here; my mom feeds them. After a few times, they started waiting by the door around meal times," Junior President Payne motioned to William to follow him into the yard.

The two-story house was surrounded by a small garden where various flowers and plants were grown, and there was a large litchi tree in the courtyard.

Many Buddha Bells hung under the eaves, tinkling in the breeze, and a Buddha Pendant was hung on the door; even the yard’s floor tiles were engraved with lotus patterns.

The climate and environment were very suitable for recuperating.

——

Meanwhile, in the hospital

Because Julia Yates had cut her wrist and the other hand was intravenously infusing, it was inconvenient for her to eat, and Mario Payne personally fed her, but she felt nauseous after just a few bites.

"Does it not agree with your stomach?" Zoe Bell frowned, having noticed at lunch that her mother had eaten very little.

After eating, she went to the restroom again.

She must have vomited.

"No, it’s just a bit hot," Julia Yates didn’t want her daughter to worry.

Her physiological anorexia needed time to adjust.

"Let me do it," Zoe maneuvered the wheelchair to Julia’s bedside, took the spoon, scooped up some congee, gently blew on it to check the temperature, and then offered it to Julia.

It caused Julia to tear up again.

She opened her mouth, and bit by bit, she ended up eating most of the bowl of congee.

Mario Payne stood by, his face lit up with relief.

"Have you been doing well these years?" Julia had always wanted to ask her.

Slight ripples stirred in Zoe’s heart, but her lips maintained a faint smile, "Pretty well."

"Were you... in an orphanage? Or were you adopted?"

Some things, Mario understood, but Julia was unaware.

"I was in an orphanage before, but later I was adopted."

"Do your adoptive parents treat you well?"

"Quite well, they even sent me to learn dancing."

"That’s good; once I’m better, I need to visit them and thank them."

Zoe pressed her lips together and smiled, feeling bittersweet inside.

If only...

she could have found her family earlier.

Julia had no suspicions.

Later, the doctor came for rounds and discussed some medical issues with Zoe, while Julia, accompanied by her husband, went to the restroom to freshen up.

When he first met her, Mario had incomplete information.

In the era of the internet, with just a few clicks, he could easily find out about Zoe’s life in Greenland and of course knew how evil the Bell family parents were.

He initially didn’t want to tell his wife, fearing it would upset her, but if he didn’t, she would think the adoptive parents were good people, which would inadvertently hurt their daughter.

"Julia..."

"Hmm?"

"There’s something I need to tell you."

"Go ahead," she smiled looking at her husband, "Why the hushed voice, as if you’re sneaking around."

"Actually, these past years, she’s..."

When Julia came out of the restroom, Zoe was taking her medicine, smiled at her, and then got ready for bed with the help of the nurse.

Mother and daughter were in the same room but in different beds.

Mario then slept on the accompanying chair.

Deep into the night, with a faint moonlight casting a dim glow in the ward,

"Zoe..." Julia suddenly spoke, "Are you asleep?"

"Not yet."

Zoe couldn’t figure out why she couldn’t sleep.

"May I... sleep next to you?" Julia asked tentatively.

After receiving an affirmative answer, she got out of bed. The beds in the VIP ward were quite large, and it was not too crowded for two people. Zoe initially felt somewhat uncomfortable until Julia slowly moved closer and gently held her hand.

"Zoe."

"Hmm?"

"After we’re discharged, come home with mom. We have a big litchi tree in our yard. When it’s fruit-bearing season, the litchis are especially sweet. You used to love them when you were little..."

Julia Yates murmured, "I heard that after your leg heals, you’ll have your wedding. I’ll personally design all kinds of jewelry for you."

"My daughter, naturally, should have nothing but the best."

"Although it’s my first time meeting the Hale boy, I can tell he’s a good one. Your dad, your brother, and all of us in the Payne family, we’ll personally see you off to your wedding."

"..."

She kept muttering until she heard Zoe Bell’s breathing even and steady, then she stopped talking, holding her hand lightly and couldn’t help but choke up again.

Only then did she realize her daughter had suffered a lot.

She turned around and gently hugged her.

Being careful not to wake her, she moved very softly.

Fortunately, she had returned to her side.

—

Elsewhere

William Hale used Junior President Payne’s studio in the vacation home, dealt with some business, and also had a brief meeting with the company executives. Hearing a knock, Tim Payne pushed the door open and entered.

"Not finished yet?"

"Almost."

Zac Cruz stood to one side, just silently listening to the bosses talk.

Ever since he found his sister, Tim Payne’s mood hadn’t relaxed for a moment. He was always afraid it was all a dream, but now he felt somewhat settled, "Every year, when the lychees are ripe and we can’t finish them, my mom makes litchi wine and litchi honey. Interested in a drink?"

William Hale nodded, "Sure."

It was an offer from his big brother-in-law. He definitely couldn’t refuse.

"I’ll need about ten more minutes."

"Then I’ll wait for you in the courtyard."

Once Tim Payne had left, William Hale finally rubbed his temples.

Honestly, he was genuinely happy that Zoe Bell had found her relatives, but with the happiness came the realization that he now had in-laws, a big brother-in-law...

When he went to the courtyard, he saw Tim Payne sitting on a wooden chair in the center, with a folding table beside him bearing candles, a bottle of litchi wine, and some food platters.

The light danced, and the sea was right across from them.

Zac Cruz was amazed:

They sure know how to enjoy life.

"Are you usually very busy?" Tim Payne had already poured him a drink, "Do you have time to spend with my sister?"

Zac Cruz stood not too far off and took a deep breath:

His boss truly had it tough.

Busy with work and still having to deal with the big brother-in-law.

"If you’re willing, you can always make time." After William Hale spoke, he quickly changed the subject, "Is this house specially designed? Despite being by the sea, you don’t feel a hint of dampness once inside."

William Hale had been thinking, maybe Zoe Bell’s leg couldn’t handle the dampness.

But the indoor air quality system always showed normal humidity.

Tim Payne looked at him, "This house was designed by Finn Hale."

"..."

"It was one of his earlier design works. I liked it and bought it, but he doesn’t know. I must say, he is quite talented in architectural design."

William Hale suddenly didn’t know what to say.

He had intended to steer away from the topic of Zoe Bell but ended up...

Landing on his brother-in-law!

"Don’t be surprised. Although we are arch-enemies, it doesn’t stop me from admiring his talent." Although they were at odds, Junior President Payne did not skimp on his praise.

"By the way, has Finn Hale ever mentioned me at home? What did he say?" Tim Payne asked casually as he sipped his drink.

William Hale felt a headache coming on:

What was inevitable,

was bound to come.

If he said that Finn mentioned him, he would be asked what exactly was said. If it was praise, his big brother-in-law would probably not believe it given his brother-in-law’s personality.

So he spoke softly, "He hasn’t mentioned."

"Not at all these years?"

"Seems not, I can’t really remember."

"It looks like he truly doesn’t regard me at all, not even a mention." Junior President Payne raised an eyebrow, finding Finn Hale conceited as usual.

"..."

Zac Cruz, hearing this conversation, was wide-eyed and rarely saw his boss at a loss for words.

He almost burst out laughing.

William Hale frowned:

Could the comment be interpreted that way?

It’s no wonder his brother-in-law always said this Junior President Payne was a tough nut to crack.

"My mom’s homemade wine, how is it? Too sweet and not to your taste?" Litchi wine was inherently sweet and this wine was not strong in alcohol.

William Hale smiled, "No, it’s quite nice."

Actually, the wine...

was tasty,

but hard to swallow.