Mrs Hale, I Surrender
Chapter 263 - 262 has set her sights on the younger uncle? Quite ambitious!

Chapter 263: 262 has set her sights on the younger uncle? Quite ambitious!

Michale Shaw was the type who loved a good spectacle and wasn’t afraid of stirring the pot. Glancing sidelong at Isaac Shea, he leaned in close to Hannah Johnson and murmured, "Sis, make a show of it."

"What do you mean?"

"Link arms with me."

Hannah frowned, still not quite grasping the situation, when Michale had already grabbed her wrist and hooked it into his arm.

Isaac Shea’s countenance crumbled instantaneously.

Staring hard at Hannah, he subconsciously moved to follow her, but was blocked by William Hale, "Young Master Shea, hold on a moment. After the dinner, we should talk."

"..."

William Hale was grave.

"Today is the Payne Family’s banquet. Young Master Shea wouldn’t want to overshadow the host, I trust."

Isaac Shea nodded, "You’re right, Mr. Hale."

If he barged out now, grabbing Hannah and leaving, they’d definitely become the talk of the Circle of Capital City tonight. William, having concluded, guided Zoe Bell away.

Only when it was just the Shea Family did the parents fuss over their son.

"What’s going on?" Mrs. Shea saw her son looking beside himself. "Don’t scare me, alright?"

Chairman Shea snorted, "It’s obvious, isn’t it!"

"His girlfriend is Hannah Johnson!"

Mrs. Shea laughed aloud, "We’re truly mother and son, our judgment so alike; I think she’s quite nice."

"Don’t celebrate just yet, didn’t you feel the tension just now? That girl was clearly upset." Without knowing the details, Chairman Shea just patted his son on the shoulder. "Get a grip on yourself, and rejoin the dinner."

Isaac Shea nodded.

——

In the main hall

Leaving the VIP room, Hannah quickly pulled her hand from Michale’s arm and warned him, "Don’t you dare target Isaac."

"I..." Michale was speechless.

Good heavens!

I haven’t done a thing.

"Sis, I’m being wronged here. The Shea Family is a major client of mine, I wouldn’t dare offend Young Master Shea." Michale whispered, "I’m just curious, what do you like about him?"

"It’s none of your business."

"How can it be none of my business? You rejected me back then, saying I was too young, now you pick up a younger boyfriend. What has he got that I don’t?"

"His face."

One line, and Michale was stricken as if hit by lightning.

What does she mean?

Calling him ugly?

My face made it onto the unofficial top ten handsome men of Capital City list. Sure, it’s not official, but good enough proof I’m not bad-looking. And she calls me ugly!

That Isaac Shea...

Admittedly, not bad.

Michale, with a downcast face, upon spotting Finn Hale, hurried over to complain, "Uncle, sis is bullying me! She called me ugly."

Finn Hale raised an eyebrow, "Isn’t that the truth?"

Michale deflated entirely, and when William Hale and Zoe Bell arrived, he was nursing a glass of wine, disconsolately sipping by himself.

"What’s the matter?" Finn glanced at Hannah, who was mingling happily with others. Seemingly unharmed, but Finn, knowing her since childhood, saw there was more to it.

William Hale kept his expression neutral, "Remember Isaac Shea?"

"I do."

"The Sealand Shea Family."

With a thoughtful rub of his glass, Finn understood.

"He seems especially close to our cousin," stated William Hale.

Finn raised an eyebrow.

Yet the expression he wore revealed no surprise, composed and imperturbable.

"Uncle," William looked earnestly at him, "you knew already, didn’t you?"

"Didn’t I tell you?" Finn stated bluntly.

"..."

"I thought you would’ve noticed, given how conspicuously I’ve reminded you to look after Hannah when Mr. Shea first visited us. You’re smart, I assumed you had figured out their relationship long ago."

William took a deep breath, then glanced at his wife.

Zoe Bell pointed towards Celine Payne onstage, "Miss Payne looks truly beautiful today, especially with the sapphire necklace around her neck."

William sighed helplessly.

Merely patting her hair, he offered, "If you like it, I’ll buy you one."

Finn could hardly bear to watch.

So eager to question me, and yet he doesn’t interrogate his own wife?

Zoe Bell looked guilty, clearly she was in the know.

When Isaac Shea arrived at the dining venue with his parents, he instantly saw Hannah laughing and talking with someone.

It was as if the earlier incident hadn’t affected her in the slightest.

By then, the banquet had begun.

Mario Payne took the microphone to speak, "Thank you all for taking the time to attend our Payne Family banquet..."

The standard pleasantries.

Standing by his side were Julia Yates and Tim Payne.

Lastly, he said, "We’re hoping for everyone’s support in Capital City going forward. I hope you all enjoy the evening and forgive any shortcomings in our hosting."

Michale Shaw whistled, "Mr. Payne’s words suggest he plans to stay in Capital City. The Payne Family is bound to have some drama."

"What kind of drama?" Zoe inquired, drawing near.

"Sister-in-law, look at that family down there."

Zoe followed his gaze to see Celine Payne accompanied by a middle-aged couple; the man, past his prime, nonetheless retained a sense of youthful handsomeness on his face.

The middle-aged woman, in a black gown complemented by a diamond necklace, exuded a commanding presence.

"Iva Payne, Junior President Payne’s aunt, the Payne Family’s de facto powerholder, notorious in business circles for her strong-willed nature."

Michale, unaware of Zoe’s relationship with the Payne Family, began gossiping.

"They say she feared being shortchanged in inheriting family assets after marrying out, so she chose to have her husband join the Payne family instead. Her husband’s no fool either, serving as a vice president in the marketing department."

"Except for overseas business, they currently control most of the Payne empire."

"Can this Mr. and Mrs. Payne be happy with their return?"

"They want to secure a powerful match for Celine Payne. If the Payne Family were ever to divide, they’d have a stronger position."

"Just not sure why they’ve set their sights on me."

Michale sighed repeatedly.

"By the way, I heard the Payne Family has a private gallery with quite a few national treasures, each worth a fortune—truly rich beyond measure."

Zoe sipped her juice, "You sure know a lot."

"Absolutely, sister-in-law. Whose gossip do you want to hear next?"

"Junior President Payne’s."

"Him..." Michale’s face twisted in distaste, "Actually, there’s nothing. The man lives like an ascetic; people in the circle even speculate he doesn’t like women."

"Cough!" Zoe choked on her drink.

William felt a headache coming, "Try to keep it down."

"I’m just stating the facts. Junior President Payne’s private life is indeed very clean, though he has been linked to a recent rumor."

"Who?"

Zoe was curious about her brother’s affairs.

Michale grinned, "You."

"Me?"

"The circle is abuzz that Junior President Payne treats you differently, hosting you personally, helping with your designs."

Zoe found herself at a loss for words.

"Stop chatting, your match-made date is here," William alerted.

Michale looked up to see Celine Payne approaching.

He gritted his teeth, forcing the words through clenched jaws, "Of all things to fear, and it comes knocking. I wouldn’t dare step into the Payne den."

Yet, in the next moment, his face lifted with a forged smile, "Miss Payne."

"Young Master Shaw, it’s been a while."

"A while indeed."

"I know you’re not interested in me, I don’t have feelings for you either, but please cooperate for the family’s sake; my parents are watching from not too far away. Let’s perform."

Celine smiled as she spoke.

Michale, taking the cue, went along with a smile, "Sure."

"As long as I’m not really getting married to him, anything works."

"Mr. and Mrs. Hale, welcome to our banquet. Sorry for not being able to greet you earlier due to the busy arrangements," Celine charmed effortlessly with poise and grace.

William responded, "It’s quite busy during the banquet, you’re too kind, Miss Payne."

"Mrs. Hale suits the Chinese-style dress well, and that string of pearls complements your complexion."

"Thank you."

"We also customize pearls at Payne Corps, Mrs. Hale; feel free to take a look if you’re interested."

Zoe nodded, smiling.

She seemed well-educated and cultured; Zoe had been hearing praises since entering the banquet, setting Celine as the paragon of the Circle of Capital City’s young ladies.

And yet, Celine’s gaze shifted to Mr. Hale, "Mr. Hale, surprising to see you attending our busy banquet. You’ve been hard at work on the renovation of our old family mansion—it’s really demanding."

"Just doing my job, I get paid to do the work," Mr. Hale replied with cool detachment.

Unperturbed, Celine added, "I recently purchased a shop. Perhaps I could trouble you for a design?"

"Busy, no time."

"My apologies for the imposition then."

Mr. Hale didn’t say more, his phone buzzed, and he turned to answer the call.

Celine’s eyes stayed on him, unmoved.

Ready to follow him, Michale sidestepped smoothly, blocking her way, "Miss Payne, your parents are still watching. We agreed to put on an act; if you leave now, what about me?"

Celine responded with a smile.

In the depth of her eyes, a flash of disappointment was hidden, but well-concealed.

William, exceptionally perceptive, was stern.

Her parents wanted to secure an influential in-law for backing, so they could have stronger leverage in a future division of the Payne Family. This Miss Payne wasn’t interested in the Shaws, and now...

She had set her sights on his own uncle?

Ambitious indeed.