Mrs Hale, I Surrender
Chapter 259 - 258 Miss Payne, dignified and respectable

Chapter 259: 258 Miss Payne, dignified and respectable

Hannah Johnson wasn’t attending the banquet; claiming to be busy with work was just an excuse. A bigger reason was the recent scandal in the Hugh Family: Liam Hugh’s affair was the talk of the town. There were those who wanted to laugh at her, and others who attempted to seize the opportunity to marry her, consuming her family’s wealth.

She was exhausted dealing with these people.

"Sister, are you really not going?" Zoe Bell tried on a gown; her leg was inconvenient, so Hannah accompanied her into the changing room.

"Do you hope I’ll go?"

"I do." Zoe adjusted her clothes. "I don’t have many friends."

She turned and looked at Hannah. "Sister, please just come with me, okay?"

Hannah laughed. "When did you learn to be so coquettish?"

"If you’re really too busy, then forget it," Zoe sighed.

Hannah rubbed her temples.

What’s been going on lately?

Why does she keep encountering people who act coquettishly towards her? Isaac Shea did the same, and now Zoe was also doing it. She bent down and straightened Zoe’s dress hem. "If I’m free, I’ll go, okay?"

Zoe nodded with a smile.

"I always feel that formal gowns don’t suit me; none of the ones I’ve tried on fit properly."

Hannah’s gaze fell on Zoe’s still-healing leg. "I know an old tailor who specializes in modern Chinese-style clothes; I’ll ask him to make you a cheongsam with a shorter skirt. It’s more convenient."

Zoe nodded.

Formal gowns could be cumbersome, and she still needed crutches to walk, unable to wear high heels; it was always inconvenient.

She didn’t try on anymore clothes, while Hannah, on the other hand, chose two gowns and entered the changing room.

"Mrs. Hale, please have some tea," the attentive staff member refilled her cup, treating her as a VIP now that her relationship with William Hale was public.

"You don’t need to wait on me; go about your own business."

A group of people focusing on her made Zoe feel uncomfortable.

At that moment, other customers entered the VIP reception room. Zoe took a sip of tea and checked her online store on her phone, only to hear the staff greet someone with a smile: "Miss Payne, you’re here?"

"Yes, just passing by to pick up some clothes."

"Your measurements have been adjusted; would you like to try them on again?"

"Okay."

When Zoe looked up, the girl had already entered the changing room.

About five or six minutes later, she emerged, the ice-blue gown accentuating her fair, translucent skin. Her face was small, with a pair of beautiful almond eyes, and her features were delicate down to the fine hairs on her head—she exuded an air of being cherished and pampered. A diamond bracelet on her wrist was particularly eye-catching.

"Miss Payne, you look so pretty in that," the people around her didn’t skimp on compliments.

"Thank you." Celine glanced sideways and only then noticed Zoe Bell sitting not far away.

For a moment,

She was startled!

Those eyes...

were too beautiful.

They resembled lychee eyes, which is why some people found them similar in appearance.

But Celine Payne’s looks were at best delicate, with a good temperament; she didn’t have the stunning beauty of Zoe Bell.

The first time Celine heard of Zoe Bell, it was because the social circle was abuzz with rumors that she was being kept by William Hale as his mistress.

The second time was when she heard from her colleagues that her cousin had personally attended to her.

She was curious then. She was not familiar with William Hale, but she knew her cousin’s personality well—he was indifferent even to his own family, always stern-faced and the same toward everyone, except for the Old Lady of the Shaw Family. He didn’t seem to make exceptions for anyone to jump the queue for custom orders.

Just what was so special about Zoe Bell that her cousin would make an exception for her?

Photos and videos just couldn’t capture the reality.

But now, seeing her in person,

Those eyes... they were alarmingly similar to her deceased cousin’s.

"Ning—" Hannah hurried out of the changing room, having heard someone outside calling Miss Payne.

"Sister Hannah, it’s been a while," Celine greeted her with a smile.

Although not close, many people referred to Hannah Johnson that way in their social circle.

"Hello," Hannah said politely.

"Are you here to try on a gown as well?"

"Yes."

As they conversed, they naturally sat down together. Hannah introduced Celine to Zoe. "This is Zoe Bell."

"Nice to meet you." Celine extended her hand.

She even kept her fingers well-maintained, unlike Zoe, who had ballet injuries on her feet and now rough hands from making perfume.

"I’ve heard about Miss Bell before but never had the chance to meet you. You’re even prettier than in your pictures; no wonder Mr. Hale is so smitten with you," Celine said, assessing her with a pleasant personality.

Zoe just smiled. "You flatter me."

"It’s you who’s modest. I’ve heard you’ve won countless dance awards; that’s really impressive. Unlike me, I have no particular talents," said Celine, sizing her up. "Miss Bell, your eyes remind me of someone I knew who has passed away."

Zoe was surprised but showed no change in expression. "Is that so?"

No wonder her brother took a special interest in her at first sight.

It seems these eyes really have something unique.

"You must come to our family’s banquet. My uncle and aunt would surely like you if they saw you."

Zoe just smiled.

"Have you chosen a dress yet?" Celine asked with a smile.

Hannah shook her head. "Not yet."

"It’s rare to meet, and I had wanted to invite you for a cup of tea, but I have something else to attend to, so I’ll leave first. Let’s chat more next time we meet." Celine appeared graceful and magnanimous.

As Hannah prepared to pay for her gown, she learned from the staff that Celine Payne had already charged the bill to her own account.

It was clear; she wanted to foster a good relationship with them.

After getting into the car, Hannah laughed softly. "No wonder Celine has such a good reputation in the social circle, nobody ever speaks ill of her. She really handles herself well."

Celine spoke and acted in a way that was very likable.

She glanced at Zoe. "Why are you silent? What do you think of your cousin?"

"She seems quite nice so far."

"So far?" Hannah rested her chin on her hand. "What do you mean?"

"Mom, Dad, and my brother took me to see my uncle, but we never met my aunt’s family. It’s odd, isn’t it?"

"Indeed..."

Usually, when a family finally finds their lost daughter, relatives and close friends should be notified, even without much fanfare.

It made no sense only to tell her uncle and not inform her aunt.

Hannah took a deep breath. "Are you suspecting there’s something amiss in your aunt’s family?"

Zoe shook her head. "It’s not clear, but my brother said that when we got separated years ago, it was no accident."

"Is the person behind it in the family?"

"Hard to say."

Zoe spoke, then moved half an inch closer to Hannah and hugged her arm. "So, not everyone in the Payne Family may be happy about me returning..."

"Sis, are you really okay with me going to the banquet alone?"

"Keep me company?"

Hannah chuckled. "You’re thinking of going by yourself? Where does that leave your husband?"

"Mr. Hale can’t compare to you; I still like my sister best."

Hannah was quite pleased.

"I understand. Unless something special comes up, I will certainly go."

"Can I come to your place for dinner today?"

"..."

Hannah, unable to refuse, called Isaac Shea to ask him to prepare more food.

In the end, Zoe not only ate,

But also packed a big bag of roasted oats and dried fruits to take home. She ate, drank, and took things with full gusto.

"Zoe Bell, you could at least leave some for me; you’re really not shy at all," Hannah laughed softly. She never used to be like this. Who had she learned this from?

Wyatt Hale, that guy?

"It’s all in the family; why be shy," Zoe smiled at Isaac. "Right, brother-in-law?"

With that ’brother-in-law’, Isaac felt he was floating on air, his soul nearly soaring.

He went back into the kitchen, declaring he’d make her a yogurt bowl.

Hannah just watched as her little puppy busied himself, wishing he could give everything tasty in the house to Zoe to take home.

After Zoe left, Isaac looked at the gowns that were now wrapped up in a large bag. "Why are you buying dresses?"

"The New Year is coming; there are lots of events, and many places where I’ll need to wear a gown."

Hannah had already told Isaac she wasn’t going to the Payne Family banquet. It didn’t feel right to change her mind now, so she didn’t mention it.

Isaac simply nodded and smiled.

The two... harbored their own thoughts.