Mrs Hale, I Surrender
Chapter 227: When in-laws meet, some are happy, some are surprised

Chapter 227: When in-laws meet, some are happy, some are surprised

The entire Hale Family was busy with preparations, wanting to make a good impression on the future in-laws.

Brock Hale received the message about meeting the in-laws and was stunned for quite a while.

He was secretly annoyed:

That little brat, William Hale, such a big matter, and only now does he mention it, without giving any prior notice for them to prepare in advance.

"Dad, are you very nervous?" Wyatt Hale rarely saw his father anxious and restless.

"It’s the first time meeting your sister-in-law’s family, definitely need to make a good impression, I’m thinking about what clothes to wear."

"..."

"Right, you go get a haircut, your hair is too long, looks unstable."

Wyatt Hale was stunned, "Dad, I’m still young, I don’t need to be steady."

Last time when his sister-in-law visited, Grandpa also complained about his hair, asking him to get it cut;

Now his father was also telling him to get a haircut.

What on earth had his hair done wrong?

Why was it always his hair that got the chop every time?

As a result, after he got his haircut and returned home, Brock Hale scrutinized it for a long time, "The previous hairstyle looked better."

Wyatt Hale was infuriated.

He dared to get angry briefly, but didn’t dare to act recklessly in front of his father.

"When you meet your sister-in-law’s family, remember to keep your mouth shut and speak less," Lily Lott advised her son, as after all, he was the only unstable element in the family.

Wyatt Hale was helpless, "Mom, do I look so tactless in your eyes? I know what to do at the right time."

"Remember your words."

——

Summerland

The Payne Family had a professional medical team; Zoe Bell wasn’t suitable for traveling by plane, and with medical staff accompanying her, the car couldn’t fit too many people. Mario and his wife didn’t want to leave their daughter, and William Hale thought that it wasn’t appropriate for the eldest cousin to take another car alone...

As a result, William Hale and Junior President Payne ended up in the same car.

Both of their assistants were present, with Assistant Law driving, and Zac Cruz sitting in the co-driver’s seat.

Neither of them liked to talk, so the atmosphere was inevitably awkward.

"Have you told your family that Zoe is a child of the Payne Family?"

Junior President Payne turned to look at the person beside him, the distance between them enough to fit another person.

"No."

"Why not?"

"I didn’t want to disrupt your plans," William Hale said cryptically.

Tim Payne, however, laughed out loud, no wonder everyone in the inner circle said that Mr. Hale was smart and resourceful.

Mario and his wife had been discreetly searching for relatives all these years, clearly not wanting to make a fuss, especially since the person behind Zoe Bell’s incident hadn’t been found. It was impossible to guard against a hidden attack.

They simply let the person behind the scenes mistakenly believe they had accepted the news of their daughter’s death.

Now that they had found Zoe Bell, they kept it quiet.

After returning to the capital, they must have other plans.

William Hale trusted his family members, but some things weren’t clear over the phone, fearing a careless slip might cause trouble, which was why the Payne Family hadn’t gone public and he hadn’t exposed it.

Tim Payne turned his head and looked at him for a long time.

"What?" William Hale was suspicious, "Did I say something wrong?"

"How long have you liked my sister?"

"..."

The question came so suddenly that William Hale paused for several seconds.

Junior President Payne continued, "I did some checks on what happened in Greenland, not comprehensive, but based on the timeline of you and Zoe being together, it seems like you’ve been planning for a long time."

"At critical moments, you’re there to take action, that girl must think of you as a good person."

"Little does she know, everything might be a setup by you, luring her into the game on purpose."

William Hale didn’t speak, which was as good as admitting to his speculation.

Zac Cruz almost laughed out loud.

"So, when did you start liking my sister?" Tim Payne was curious.

"If I say it was love at first sight, would you believe me?" William Hale’s voice was gentle, but his expression didn’t seem to be joking.

Tim Payne smiled.

He quite liked William Hale.

Capable, tactful, understanding of boundaries, knowing when to advance and when to retreat.

Most importantly, as he observed, he genuinely liked his little sister.

He was also grateful to William Hale for extending a helping hand when his sister needed it the most. He didn’t even want to think what her life might have been like if she had followed the arrangements and married Brandon Stone, being used as a tool by the Bell Family all her life, being deceived by Director Hall... What would her life have become?

"By the way, so Finn Hale currently doesn’t know about the relationship between Zoe and me?" Junior President Payne suddenly asked.

"Not sure."

"I’m actually quite looking forward to seeing what his expression will be."

"..."

William Hale just felt a headache coming on.

**

At this time, at the Old House of the Hale Family

After Finn Hale got off the plane, he went straight home, even so, he was still urged countless times by his father.

"Why so late? Weren’t you supposed to be home by three? It’s already past four," Old Sir Hale frowned.

"The plane was delayed, what could I do?" Finn Hale was travel-weary, "William and the others haven’t arrived yet, what are you rushing for? Calm down. You pacing around the living room like that makes you look particularly unstable."

"I am excited! Do you know how rare it is to find a lost relative?" Old Sir Hale said disdainfully, glancing at his rebellious son, "Alright, go freshen up and get changed."

Finn Hale nodded, he went to his room to change into new clothes and took the opportunity to bring out gifts from abroad.

Meanwhile, Old Sir Hale received a call from William Hale, saying they would arrive at the Old House in half an hour.

The old man hurriedly reminded everyone.

Especially sermons to his rebellious son:

"Finn, when you meet Zoe’s family later, don’t keep on a straight face, show some enthusiasm," he instructed.

"If you scare them away, I’ll hold you accountable!"

Finn Hale replied helplessly, "Dad, compared to my second brother’s looks, mine are far less frightening."

Quade Hale had a naturally cold demeanor, with deep and sharp features. When he stared at you, he indeed looked intimidating.

"Little brother, dad is lecturing you, don’t drag me into this," Quade Hale snapped back, already annoyed by returning to work, and here was his younger brother, causing him more trouble.

"Second brother, I’m just stating facts, I think I’m pretty easy-going." In the industry, everyone said that Finn Hale had an ethereal presence; though his aura was aloof, it wasn’t enough to scare people away.

"Finn, you really are not endearing," Quade Hale retorted.

"As if you’re any more likeable. I’ve always been curious, Second Sister-in-law is so nice, why on earth did she marry you?"

"..."

Wyatt Hale sat in the corner, initially engrossed in a mobile game, but now he was eagerly watching the "argument" between his two uncles.

"Alright, the kids are here, and you, as elders, should not be shaming yourselves," Old Sir Hale said sternly, "In any case, Zoe’s family must not be neglected."

After finishing the reminder, he glanced again at his son.

Telling him to be:

Warm, polite!

This damn kid, always causing trouble as soon as he comes home.

"Dad, stop staring at me. Relax, I know what I’m doing." He was not a three-year-old child, and he could handle big matters. He was merely curious, "How did she find her family anyway? I didn’t hear about her looking for them."

"It might be her family who found her." The Old Lady had been grinning ear to ear ever since she heard the news.

"Right, where did William take her to recuperate from her illness before?" Finn’s mind raced.

Probably the recuperation was a cover for recognizing relatives.

"It was in Summe..." Old Sir Hale didn’t finish his sentence when he saw a servant announce the arrival of a medical van at the gate; he immediately got up and strode outside, followed by the Hale family members.

The Hale family had a designated parking area, but since Zoe Bell had trouble walking, the car came all the way to the front hall entrance.

The car William Hale rode in followed closely behind.

The medical van’s door opened, and the accompanying medical staff got out first.

Then...

It was Mario Payne!

Finn Hale stood aside; as the uncle, all he had to do was stay composed. However, seeing a familiar face, he was instantly taken aback.

How could he not recognize Mario Payne?

The Payne family was an inescapable name in the design industry.

Following that, he reached out, helping his wife out of the car – Julia Yates, who had been very famous in the industry for her retro and precise designs. Since her retreat from the industry, there had been sighs and laments, feeling it a pity.

Even a slow-witted person like Wyatt understood the truth at that moment.

Sister-in-law...

Belonged to the Payne family.

If he could see it so clearly, so could the rest of the Hale family.

Everyone almost instinctively looked towards Finn Hale.

He remained expressionless, but his heart skipped a beat involuntarily, catching a glimpse of his nephew coming out of another car.

And the man getting out with him...

Was none other than his arch-enemy!

Tim Payne!

At the moment of eye contact, the man flashed him a sly smile.

All Finn felt was an oncoming wave of headache and dizziness.