Mrs Hale, I Surrender
Chapter 228 - 227 Backstabbing the Uncle, Have to Play Along with a Smile (2 more updates)

Chapter 228: 227 Backstabbing the Uncle, Have to Play Along with a Smile (2 more updates)

The deep autumn sunlight should have felt warm on his skin, but Finn Hale only felt ice-cold, as if he were in the polar ice fields, with the chill wind whistling and seeping into his body.

Only his fiercely beating heart reminded him:

He was alive!

A few short seconds felt as long as years.

When his gaze met William Hale’s, his dear nephew even gave him a smile.

As if to say:

Uncle Finn, surprised? Hold steady!

In that moment, it was as if someone held a sledgehammer over his heart and smashed it down with force.

Even breathing felt difficult.

Because he had been backstabbed by his favorite nephew!

Such a big issue, and he kept silent about it. Well done, William Hale. I treated you like my own nephew, and this is how you repay your uncle?

Very good indeed!

After Mario Payne helped his wife out of the car, with medical staff assisting to bring out the wheelchair, he personally lifted Zoe Bell out of the car. He then turned to greet the Hale Family, "Old Sir Hale, Old Lady Hale, sorry to disturb."

They knew each other but were not close!

"It’s no disturbance, what are you saying?" Old Sir Hale snapped back to reality, then smiled, "Zoe is with you guys as..."

"She is my lost daughter." Mario Payne said beamingly.

"Congratulations!" exclaimed Old Lady Hale.

The Hale Family elders didn’t even know about the Payne Family having a daughter, considering the two families weren’t close. Except for Finn Hale, no one in the Hale Family knew, and hearing about Zoe Bell’s relation to the Payne Family was shocking and surprising to them as well.

"We heard from Zoe that you took great care of her, so we especially came to express our thanks," Julia Yates smiled. She was very thin, but her complexion was good.

"What are you talking about, we consider Zoe like our own child, taking care of her is what we should do. Saying thanks is too polite," Old Lady Hale sized up Zoe Bell, "I see Zoe seems to have put on some weight, seems like a good mood, you have taken good care of her too."

Zoe Bell just smiled slightly.

Since her mother couldn’t cook due to injury from a suicide attempt, she insisted the home chefs be creative and make different foods for her every day.

Her father wanted to cook himself, but her mother bluntly said:

"You cooking? I don’t want to lose a daughter a second time!"

Mario Payne’s face turned green.

His cooking was just not tasty, not to the point of poisoning someone, right? It wasn’t until Zoe Bell consoled him that he felt a bit better.

After the pleasantries, they finally introduced each other.

"Right, this is my eldest son, Brock Hale, and his wife..." Old Lady Hale introduced to the Payne couple.

Tim Payne stood next to his parents, greeting them as well.

Being the parents of his sister-in-law, Brock Hale was naturally very polite and respectful.

However, when it came to introducing Finn Hale, Old Lady Hale said, "This is my youngest son, Finn Hale. I’m sure you all know him, so no need for a long introduction."

Finn Hale felt very awkward at that moment!

Close in age to Tim Payne and accustomed to calling Mario Payne ’Uncle,’ he now wasn’t sure what to call them, and his thoughts shifted, "Mr. Payne, Ms. Yates, hello."

The Hale Family all struggled to hold back their laughter.

Simon Hale and Logan Hale, the brothers, stood in a corner away from the elders’ affairs. It was only Wyatt Hale who, having been instructed not to speak out of turn, wanted a closer look at the commotion, looking left and right.

He felt like there was drama everywhere!

Tim Payne, however, adapted graciously, and just like with his own sister, he turned to Finn Hale and said, "Hello, Uncle Finn."

Finn Hale: "..."

One word dominated his mind:

Scram!

"Come on, let’s go inside. Look at me, getting so happy I’ve been talking at the door for so long," Old Lady Hale said with a laugh.

The Payne Family, being guests, naturally walked at the front, surrounded by others.

Finn Hale glanced at William Hale, and without needing to say anything, they both walked at the very end of the group.

"What’s going on!" Finn Hale pressed in a low voice.

"Zoe has found her family, as an elder, aren’t you happy for her?"

"I’m thrilled out of my mind! But why the Payne Family?"

"That’s not something I can decide."

William Hale turned to Finn Hale, "Although you and Junior President Payne are sworn enemies, now that your enemy is your junior, to press down on him and hear him call you ’Uncle,’ don’t you think that feels pretty good?"

Although he was senior in status, now becoming the uncle of his sworn enemy, Finn Hale still felt as though the word ’Uncle’ popping out from Tim Payne’s mouth was deliberately revolting.

"Wyatt Hale, you little rascal did this on purpose! Remember, I am your uncle!"

"Now Junior President Payne is also my uncle-in-law."

"..."

Implicit meaning:

Currently, Tim Payne is more important than he is.

Finn Hale’s mouth twitched. This is his wonderful nephew.

After all the care he had showered on him since childhood, now, in an effort to please his brother’s wife, his own nephew disregards even his feelings. How splendid!

"Uncle, you can’t blame me for this," William Hale said frankly.

"I wanted to tell you several times, but you wouldn’t give me the chance. Like that time I called you and you didn’t even answer, what could I do?"

"If you can’t reach me by phone, you could have sent a message."

"I forgot I could send a message."

Finn Hale took a deep breath; he would have to continue being polite and enthusiastic once he entered the house.

Everyone was gathered around Zoe Bell, chatting warmly.

Only Wyatt Hale quietly approached his uncle, handing him his thermos and whispered, "Uncle, are you alright?"

"I’m fine."

"Grandfather asked me to tell you, as an elder, no matter what happens, you must always remain calm and composed."

Finn Hale didn’t say anything.

The Payne Family brought quite a few gifts this time.

Everyone in the Hale Family got something.

There were jewelry and jade ornaments; nearly every item was priceless. Although the Payne Family is discreet, even Wyatt Hale received an antique watch and a limited-edition gaming device.

This gaming console was something he had casually mentioned to Zoe Bell, saying it was particularly hard to buy.

Only a few were available overseas,

and they sold out as soon as they were released.

And now, it magically appeared right in front of him.

Indeed, she was his dear sister-in-law; he had mentioned it only in passing, and she had actually remembered.

He made faces at Zoe Bell, feeling like his sister-in-law’s coattails had gotten even thicker than before!

Indeed, there was meat to eat by following his sister-in-law.

In this family, his sister-in-law was his only kin.

—

Zoe Bell was a patient who needed plenty of rest and had been through the exhaustion of travel, so after chatting for a while, she was allowed to go back to her room first. Julia Yates, who did not want to leave her daughter for even a moment, naturally wanted to accompany her.

Old Sir Hale, Brock Hale, and others continued to chat with Mario Payne, with William Hale dutifully serving tea and water on the side.

Finn Hale sneered:

This was indeed the first time he had seen the boy so eager to please.

He never thought he’d live to see the day when the young man would bend over backward to serve tea to others.

Old Sir Hale glanced at his youngest son, then looked over at Tim Payne seated not far away.

He was quiet; perhaps he had nothing in common to talk about with them.

Old Sir Hale felt a stir in his thoughts.

He had been openly and covertly fighting with his youngest son over the years, and now that they were family, their relationship had to improve. So, he took a sip of hot tea and cleared his throat, "Finn, you’ve known Tim for quite a while, haven’t you?"

Finn Hale knew his father all too well.

With just one look, he understood:

His father was up to no good.

As expected, his father continued, "It’s stuffy in here and there’s still time before dinner. Why don’t you take Tim for a walk around? Our home environment is quite pleasant."

Finn Hale maintained a polite smile, looking at his father.

You really are a wonderful dad.

The crux of Finn Hale’s resentment lay here:

Nominally, Tim Payne called him "Uncle," but the two were of similar age, and he couldn’t exactly hold rank to intentionally pressure him by their generational difference.

As an elder, you must love and respect the younger generation.

You can’t always be petty with the younger ones, can you?

The said "Uncle" seemed like it gave him an advantage, but in reality, he gained no benefit from it at all.

Just like right now:

Not only did he have to wear a smile, but also had to accompany a stroll in the garden.

Tim Payne glanced at the person beside him, "Uncle, you don’t look too well. You don’t seem very happy to be out here with me."

Finn Hale smiled, "No, I’m quite happy."

Tim Payne struggled to hold back a laugh:

Happy?

So happy that you’re grinding your teeth?