Mrs Hale, I Surrender
Chapter 261 - 260 Can’t Surpass the Dead? Payne Family Dinner Party

Chapter 261: 260 Can’t Surpass the Dead? Payne Family Dinner Party

"The cold night air chills the pillow, and the frost makes one timid to put on the morning makeup."

"It’s the season when it’s too cold to even want to get out of bed, but the Payne Family’s banquet is just around the corner, and Zoe Bell went to Payne Corps two days ago to pick up a ring that was custom made for her."

As soon as she got out of the car, Assistant Law greeted her with a pleasing smile, "You’ve arrived?"

"There was a bit of a traffic jam, sorry to keep you waiting."

"Not at all."

Assistant Law, who followed Tim Payne at Payne Corps and had some standing, was rarely seen being so obsequious.

"Although Zoe is Mr. Hale’s wife, Junior President Payne has set a lot of precedents for her," the employees discussed privately.

"For general client receptions, we have special reception rooms, but Assistant Law actually led her straight to the fourth floor to Junior President Payne’s office. This must have been approved by Junior President Payne."

"But she truly is very beautiful."

The gossip from below eventually reached Celine Payne’s ears.

She was also at Payne Corps today, picking up some jewelry that had been in for maintenance, to wear at the banquet.

When Zoe picked up the ring and was preparing to leave, she ran into her.

"Mrs. Hale, what a coincidence to see you here again," Celine Payne said as she initiated the greeting.

"Hello," Zoe replied politely.

"Picking up jewels?"

"Yes."

"How about it? Are you satisfied with the final product’s design?"

"Quite happy, I really like it," Zoe said, exchanging pleasantries briefly with her before leaving. Celine Payne watched Assistant Law tending to her with great care, and her hand by her side subconsciously tightened a bit.

The cousin sure treats her well.

It’s one thing to send a trusted assistant to receive her, but to escort all the way to the car too.

After Zoe had left and Assistant Law returned, Celine casually inquired, "Assistant Law, my brother seems to pay extra attention to this Mrs. Hale."

Assistant Law chuckled reluctantly, "Well, Little Wyatt is helping our family design the old mansion, and since she is Mr. Hale’s wife, there was an incident last time where she was intentionally troubled and felt aggrieved. We dare not neglect her this time..."

"Is that the only reason?"

"What else could it be?" Assistant Law feigned ignorance.

The boss hadn’t told her about Zoe’s identity; he certainly wouldn’t take it upon himself to be smart about it.

Celine laughed, "I don’t understand, just asking casually. It just seems my cousin treats her quite specially."

Could it be...

Not because of her eyes?

She’s been dead for so many years, yet my cousin still remembers her!

Pining for the dead, but always so lukewarm towards me, the living cousin.

My uncle and aunt suddenly returned to Capital City to renovate the old mansion. I thought they were finally moving on from the grief of losing their daughter, but the best room in the whole house is still left vacant.

They even transplanted a lychee tree.

Rumor has it that it’s an improved variety, since the climate in Capital City can’t sustain such trees.

Even my grandparents still think of her.

These years, I’ve always felt:

I can’t even compete with a dead person!

How ridiculous.

Once a person dies, they’re turned into a perfect person, inescapable in memory.

Because of that dead person, the Payne Family has never adorned festivities or held banquets in all these years. As the Payne Family’s young lady, Celine Payne was meticulously dressed. The sapphire necklace that matched her gown alone was worth more than ten million.

She should have been the most beautiful pearl at the banquet.

However, when people said that Mr. Hale had arrived...

All the focus shifted to the entrance of the banquet hall.

Even my uncle, aunt, and cousin personally went to greet him.

The Hale Family might be distinguished, but our families have never had dealings; there’s no need to be so flattering, is there?

The location of the Payne Family’s banquet was at the Hot Spring Villa, where all guests could stay overnight. The trees outside the villa were adorned with lights resembling lychees as if you were in a lychee orchard.

"The Payne Family has really put in the effort," Finn Hale noted from the passenger seat, with a glance at the couple who were in the back seat talking intimately throughout the trip.

Finn Hale was speechless:

They saw each other every day, was it necessary to be so nauseatingly affectionate?

They acted as if they had an endless stream of words for each other.

He had known better than to ride with them.

Especially since when leaving the house, his father had said, "Do you really need to take a separate car by yourself?"

And as a result:

He endured an entire journey of being swamped with their lovey-dovey display!

Aren’t you tired? Aren’t you thirsty? Does your leg hurt...

A journey of less than an hour felt like an eternity.

Was it because his niece-in-law had a ring made for someone?

She wore it on her hand, as if she’d rather show it to everyone.

Upon reaching the entrance of the villa, Zac Cruz opened the door; upon getting out of the car, Finn looked at him and asked, "How can you stand such a sickeningly sweet couple?"

Zac replied, "They pay well."

Finn patted his shoulder, "These days, making money isn’t easy."

Today, Zoe was wearing a new, modern Chinese-style dress, a pink cross-collar top with a white embroidered long skirt, completely covering her post-surgery ankle. A strand of silky white Australian pearls around her neck made her appear even more gentle.

"Here you are." Julia Yates saw her daughter still leaning on a cane and couldn’t help herself from rushing over to help.

"Mrs. Payne," Zoe greeted courteously.

After a round of seemingly theatrical, polite small talk, the group made their way to the banquet hall.

Finn Hale and Tim Payne were walking behind, appearing to be in an intimate conversation, but if you listened carefully, it was:

Finn: "You’re dressed quite decently today."

Junior President Payne: "Likewise."

"Today, I heard there’s a multitude of eligible young ladies, seems they all came for you, Junior President Payne. Do you have any you fancy?"

"If I liked someone, I’d definitely go after them. Can’t regret it when they’re taken."

Finn’s fingers tightened.

This person, as always, was detestable.

Mario Payne and Mrs. Payne could hardly stay away from their daughter, yet feared that people might notice something, so after arriving at the banquet hall, they let her move around freely.

Almost everyone’s eyes were on her, making her quite uncomfortable.

"Hey, Hale!" Suddenly, someone waved at them.

"Let’s go, I’ll introduce you to a friend." William Hale took her hand and walked towards the person who was calling out.

The man was wearing a light grey suit, his coat casually draped over a chair beside him. Before greeting them, he was leaning against it, absorbed in his phone.

His slightly long hair partly concealed his eyes, the image of casual arrogance emanating from his laid-back persona.

When he raised his eyebrows at people,

It was untamed wildness that filled his brow.

Upon seeing them, he stood up and came forward, "Sister-in-law, I had the pleasure of meeting you in person today."

"You look much nicer than in photographs and videos."

"Truly like a celestial being descending to Earth, no wonder Hale has been hiding his treasure and never let us meet you."

That voice...

Zoe felt inexplicably familiar with it!

"Please, have a seat, Sister-in-law," he insisted with warm enthusiasm, never taking his eyes off her.

"Still looking?" William said with a heavy voice.

"Can’t even look? The possessiveness of a married man is really scary."

Only then did Zoe suddenly remember.

When she had just gotten together with William, he went back to Capital City the next day, and then, the first time she called him, someone on the other end yelled out, saying he was beaten by his grandfather, it seemed...

It was this voice!

With its high-pitched clarity, it was highly recognizable.

"Michale Shaw, my friend," William introduced to her.

"Nice to meet you, Sister-in-law," Michale extended his hand to shake Zoe’s, but was discouraged by a glance from William, "Even shaking hands is not okay? I’m not your romantic rival, we’re friends, right?"

"I do wish I never knew you."

"What’s wrong with me? Have I embarrassed you?"

William nodded.

Michale was instantly at a loss for words but nevertheless smiled and encouraged Zoe to sit quickly.

They had a small circle, but Michale was the only one who came today.

His mission for the trip:

Blind date!

"Who has your Old Lady chosen for you?" William asked.

"Celine Payne, of course," Michale sighed.

"Why don’t you go and chat with her?"

"I don’t like her, but I can’t go against what my Old Lady wants, so I’m just showing up as a formality," Michale shrugged helplessly, "I just didn’t expect Little Wyatt to come. Look at these girls; their eyes are practically glued to him."

"Look at how popular our Little Wyatt is, absolutely incredible."

"What a pity, I’m not a woman. Otherwise, I’d also want to be your little aunt."

"The famous Mr. Hale from Capital City calling me little aunt, even thinking about it feels great."

William: "You can still go for a sex change now if you really want."

"I’m a full-grown man!"

"Do you even remember you’re a man? Imagining being my little aunt? You sure dare to dream."

"I..."

"Ah—" Zoe couldn’t help but laugh out loud.

"However, not all these young ladies tonight came for Little Wyatt; there are some there for Junior President Payne, and I’ve also heard that the son of the Shea Family from Sealand could also be attending tonight."

Zoe had figured it out, this Michale...

His enthusiasm for gossip was on par with Little Wyatt.

"The Shea Family?" Zoe was particularly attentive to this surname.

"Sister-in-law, you’re new here, so you might not understand. The Shea Family isn’t from Capital City; they’ve only arrived in recent years. Although they’re nouveau riche, they’re very powerful and quite low-key. It’s said that the Shea son is also a top scholar."

A top scholar?

Zoe gripped her cane a little tighter.

It couldn’t be...

That coincidental.

There are so many people with the surname Shea in the country.

"What’s the Shea son’s name?" Zoe inquired.

Michale shook his head, "The Shea Family has protected their privacy well, I guess they don’t want people who seek favors to disturb him, so I’m not quite sure of his name."

"I see."

"I don’t know the Shea son, but I’m quite familiar with Chairman Shea. If you’re interested in meeting them, I can make the introduction for you."

Before Zoe could reply, she heard a familiar voice.

"Zoe!"

Her cousin had arrived.

And at that moment, the Shea Family’s car also arrived at the entrance of Hot Spring Villa.