Mrs Hale, I Surrender
Chapter 255 - 254 Is her reputation bad? Not worthy of Mr. Hale?

Chapter 255: 254 Is her reputation bad? Not worthy of Mr. Hale?

When William Hale and Zoe Bell first got together, the Circle of Capital City buzzed with gossip. Many believed that the adopted girl from the Greenland Bell Family was quite scheming, quickly climbing the social ladder right after ending a previous relationship.

I couldn’t believe it...

She was already Mrs. Hale.

The key was what William Hale said publicly:

Asking for a status?

He granted Zoe Bell dignity.

This explicitly told everyone:

In their relationship, it was Zoe Bell who had the upper hand.

The sudden revelation threw the Hale Family into chaos, while other families watched the drama unfold, including the Payne Family Members, as Finn Hale was currently at the Sheng Family Mansion.

The Sheng Family Mansion had undergone several expansions, and the old blueprints were no longer fully referenceable, requiring his physical inspection.

"You’ve really been working hard these days." Julia Yates smiled as she handed him tea.

"You’re too polite."

At that moment, a girl in her mid-twenties walked in, looking sweetly at Julia Yates, "Hello, Aunt."

The elder Paynes had a son and a daughter—this was Aunt Payne’s only daughter—

Celine Payne, taking her mother’s last name.

"Finished work early today?"

"Some things came up, so I left early." She glanced at Finn Hale, "Mr. Hale, you’re here today too."

Finn Hale nodded slightly and continued drinking his tea.

"Mr. Hale, did you hear? Mr. Hale has announced that he’s married, to a Miss Bell. Do you know her?" she asked curiously.

"I do."

"So they really are married? Did they register?"

Finn Hale didn’t respond to her question, put down his cup, and looked at Julia Yates, "Mrs. Payne, I have some things to attend to, I must be going."

"Mr. Hale, I was just about to go out, how about a ride?" Celine Payne eagerly and intently looked at Finn Hale with anticipation.

"Miss Payne, where are you headed?"

"Grand Mansion Club."

"Sorry, that’s not on my way."

"..."

After Finn Hale left, she shrugged her shoulders and turned to Julia Yates, full of gossip, "Aunt, do you know Mr. Hale? He’s Mr. Hale’s nephew."

The relationship between William Hale and Zoe Bell was the hottest topic in Capital City.

"I do."

"It’s strange though. There are so many well-connected, beautiful girls in Capital City he could have chosen, yet he picked an orphan. Other than being pretty, I don’t see what’s so special about her. How could the Hale Family agree to their union?"

Julia Yates was composed and spoke softly, "What’s wrong with being an orphan?"

Sensing her aunt’s tone was a bit off, Celine Payne just smiled, "Aunt, you’re not often in Capital City, so you might not understand. Miss Bell’s reputation isn’t very good."

"Is that so?"

"She was previously engaged and hooked up with Mr. Hale right after breaking it off, causing her adoptive parents to end up ruined."

"But I heard that her adoptive parents weren’t good to her?"

Celine Payne paused, "But they did raise her, no matter what, she shouldn’t repay kindness with ingratitude."

"Was their downfall her fault? Or was it due to their own doings?"

"That..."

"What are you talking about?" Mario Payne came out from another room, interrupting their conversation, "Where’s Finn?"

"He’s already left." Julia Yates replied.

"Then we should be going too." Mario Payne looked at his wife.

They had previously arranged to meet Zoe Bell today as William Hale was returning to Capital City.

Mario Payne had noticed his wife’s displeasure and asked quietly in the car, "What’s wrong? Or are you feeling unwell?"

"Renovating the old mansion is really tiring; I have a bit of a headache."

"I’ve told you before, we could have let Tim handle these things, you need to rest more."

"It’s nothing."

...

Meanwhile, in Greenland, the public reveal of William Hale and Zoe Bell already caused a massive stir. Brandon Stone was stunned when he saw the news.

Kevin Bell and his wife were even more regretful after seeing it.

They couldn’t imagine that Zoe Bell had genuinely managed to enter the Hale Family’s doors. If they had treated her better and thus now being related to the Hale Family, how could they have fallen to such low straits?

"It must be fate!" Vivi Lange sighed.

"Do you think, when did they actually get married? Could it have been back in Greenland?" Kevin limped due to a previous leg injury, "Could they have been married then?"

"What does it matter?" Vivi Lange sighed heavily.

"She intentionally hid it to cut ties with us!" Kevin, albeit bankrupt, still had his business acumen, "That crafty girl!"

"Stop tormenting yourself. Zoe is a decent person; she helped Lucas when he was injured abroad, alone. I wouldn’t have known what to do!"

Kevin scoffed, "That was her duty!"

"We raised her for so many years; she ought to take care of Lucas."

Vivi Lange had no desire to argue further.

Truthfully, she was pleased that Zoe Bell married well.

Her own life was set; she only hoped her son would have a good life. Zoe was not ungrateful and would certainly take good care of him.

But Kevin Bell hoped he could still make a comeback, having just passed fifty.

**

Upon his return to Capital City, William Hale first met with the Payne Family Members.

Before Mario Payne and his wife arrived, he had been taken aside by Martin Yates for a private scolding, which he silently endured with good posture.

"I know you must have made thorough preparations, but I’m also worried about the what-ifs. What if Zoe gets into trouble?"

"Uncle, I know I was wrong."

Seeing his sincerity, Martin Yates didn’t press further, "I sent you a text earlier, why didn’t you reply?"

"I had too many messages; I turned off my phone."

"No wonder."

At the same time, Hannah Johnson had also turned off her phone. She was popular and had many friends, all curious about her cousin’s affair; overwhelmed, she simply switched off her phone.

After finishing work, she turned on her phone and called Isaac Shea.

They had agreed to meet today.

The calls went through, but no one picked up.

What happened?

Was he busy?

From just over six in the evening until nine, Isaac Shea neither picked his phone nor replied to messages, which made Hannah Johnson worry.

He couldn’t be...

Ignoring her, right?

Hannah Johnson wore black clothes, a hat, and a mask, stealthily avoiding reporters camped outside her apartment. She took a taxi to Isaac Shea’s school; she had driven to pick him up before and knew where his dorm was.

She knew the dorm building but not the exact room. She had no choice but to ask the dorm manager.

"Is Isaac Shea in the dorm?"

The dorm manager sized her up, as Hannah was heavily bundled up, the manager couldn’t help but stare, "Looking for Mr. Shea? What’s your relationship?"

"Girlfriend."

"..."

"What’s wrong?" Hannah noticed the dorm manager spacing out.

"Which year are you? Trying to sneak in with that excuse?"

Hannah was stunned, "Do many girls come looking for him?"

"Those few outside were also looking for him, but I’ve never heard about Mr. Shea having a girlfriend. If you really are, then call him yourself."

Helpless, Hannah hadn’t brought her ID with her, and the manager was convinced that she had come to "harass" Isaac Shea and refused to let her enter the dorm.

She continued to call him, still with no response.

Since she was already there, she had to see him at least once.