Mrs Hale, I Surrender
Chapter 264 - 263 Loyal Puppy, Did My Cousin Fall for It? (2nd update)

Chapter 264: 263 Loyal Puppy, Did My Cousin Fall for It? (2nd update)

William Hale shot Michale Shaw a look and passed a message with his eyes:

"Keep an eye on her and don’t let her disturb the Younger Uncle of Hale Family."

Michale Shaw was speechless:

Are they all treating me like a tool?

Anyway, sweet love is not meant for him.

Hannah Johnson used him to block Young Master Shea.

Now he has to ward off suitors for the Younger Uncle of the Hale Family?

As they were talking, Tim Payne took the initiative to come over and invite William Hale and Zoe Bell to meet his parents.

For outsiders, it was just ordinary conversation.

The Hale Family were always the focus of flattery and favor everywhere they went—Mario Payne and his wife were especially kind to them, which was normal.

But some also speculated:

"First Junior President Payne shook hands with the Younger Uncle of the Hale Family to make peace, and now Mario Payne and his wife are actively engaging in warm conversation with Mr. and Mrs. Hale. Are they trying to win over the Hale Family to help them in the power struggle?"

"With the Hale Family’s help, they’d be like a tiger that has grown wings."

"I thought before, with Mario Payne and his wife being away from Capital City for so long, they might not be able to outfight Iva Payne and Martin Yates. Even tonight, Yates didn’t show up, giving them no respect at all. If the Hale Family takes sides, the situation will be completely different."

"Yes, the Hugh Family and Shaw Family, who have good relations with the Hale family... will definitely support Mario Payne as well, making it really tough for Iva Payne to break the situation."

"There’s a way to break the situation."

"How?"

"The Hale Family has many grandsons. If Celine Payne could marry into their family..."

...

Mario Payne and his wife, on the other hand, weren’t thinking that far. They were only worried that their daughter’s leg hadn’t recovered yet and feared she was too tired.

Even though she was hiding it.

Julia Yates looked at her, and the love in her eyes couldn’t be hidden.

"Mom," Celine Payne had already walked up to her mother. "Is that the Zoe Bell you mentioned to me?"

Iva Payne glanced over her without focusing too much.

"Mm."

"Those eyes do look similar. No wonder my cousin looks at her differently."

"Not just that—Auntie’s gaze is so tender when she looks at her." Celine Payne hummed lightly. "Just because her eyes are similar, it’s been so long since my cousin sister passed away, can’t Auntie move on?"

"You haven’t been a mother; you don’t understand these feelings."

"No matter how similar, she isn’t her." Celine Payne muttered. "Everyone else is wearing evening gowns, and only she is unique, wearing that modern Cheongsam or whatever, attracting everyone’s attention. It’s really annoying."

"Besides the string of pearls around her neck being valuable, everything else on her is street market clothes."

"Keep your voice down," Iva Payne reminded.

Celine Payne sulkily closed her mouth.

"I told you to have a good chat with Michale Shaw. How did it go?"

"Mom, I don’t like him."

"Have you taken a liking to Finn Hale?"

Mother knows best. Celine Payne didn’t respond, which was as good as an admission.

"Don’t foolishly imagine things. Finn Hale has been fighting with your cousin for years. Don’t you know what kind of person he is? Don’t hope wildly! He’s not a man you can control," Iva Payne warned!

"Then I can choose someone else. Why does it have to be Michale Shaw?"

"Among that circle, Michale Shaw is the most naive and easy to handle. The Shaw Family’s personnel structure is simple. Old Mrs. Shaw and Mrs. Shaw are regulars at Payne Corps, and they are very nice people. If you really could marry into their family, would you worry about not having good days to come?"

"I heard he used to chase after Hannah Johnson?" Celine Payne frowned.

"So what?"

"Someone that Hannah Johnson didn’t want, I should want?"

"That’s because she’s short-sighted. She’ll regret it later," Iva Payne said, glancing at Hannah Johnson not far away. "Look at the men surrounding her right now. Which one can compare to Michale Shaw?"

"That Mr. Grant is even less than nothing!"

"Actually, the Sealand Shea Family is not bad, but they have been in Capital City for a short time and their roots are still shallow."

Celine Payne didn’t say anything.

And at this moment, Hannah Johnson was indeed surrounded by many men trying to get close to her.

"...When the banquet is over, Miss Johnson, do you have any plans?" Mr. Grant asked with a smile as he appraised Hannah Johnson.

"I’m having dinner with my cousin. Would you like to join us, Mr. Grant?"

To be in the same company as Mr. Hale?

He wouldn’t dare.

After he left feeling snubbed, this triggered laughter from his companions.

"Mr. Grant, I thought you had some great skills, but you were just turned away, weren’t you?"

"Shut your mouth!"

"Hannah Johnson isn’t just any woman; you can’t handle her."

"Did you see Young Master Shea? His eyes fixed on her, never moving away. I guarantee, that guy is definitely into Hannah Johnson."

"If it’s the Shea Family, let’s just rest; we can’t compete."

Mr. Grant stared at her intently.

Reluctantly!

Among the single men present, probably more than half would want to be the Hugh Family’s final heir, with a beauty in their arms and access to the Hugh Family’s substantial wealth, not to mention hearing Mr. Hale call them ’brother-in-law’. Everyone would sharpen their heads to get in there.

Isaac Shea was nearly driven to desperation nearby.

Are these men flies?

Why do they keep swarming around his girlfriend?

Hannah Johnson’s face revealed no emotion, leaving Isaac Shea unable to grasp her feelings.

If he rushed over now and dragged her away, would she get angry?

The more he cared, the more cautious he became.

He was clever, but right now his mind seemed like a muddle, utterly incapable of calm thought.

The Shea parents watched their son with low laughter, resembling an ant on a hot pan.

Who would have thought this kid would see the day!

Hannah Johnson knew that Isaac Shea had been staring at her, because by now most of the people in the hall had noticed something between them.

That Puppy’s eyes...

Were as if he wished he could stick to her side.

Completely indifferent to the opinions of others, regardless of the occasion.

During this time, many people took the initiative to cozy up to him, but he ignored them.

He sent messages to Hannah Johnson, but she didn’t reply.

Michale Shaw couldn’t help but tease: "Sis, is that guy a human tracking device or what? Staring at you without even blinking—it’s hilarious. Where did you find such a loyal Puppy?"

"He keeps staring at you, looks quite pitiful."

"Sis, show him some pity."

The look in his eyes, even Michale Shaw felt uncomfortable.

No wonder he could win over Hannah Johnson.

With that pitiful look, even he couldn’t stand it.

"Puppy?" Hannah Johnson frowned, "Is that for you to tease?"

"Should I call him brother-in-law then?"

"Shut up!"

"By the way, how did you two meet?" Michale Shaw was dying of curiosity.

"Did he pester you relentlessly? That can’t be right; you don’t fall for that. Otherwise, you would have accepted my pursuit back then. Could it be that you made the first move?"

Hannah Johnson smiled at him, "If only you were mute, the whole world would be peaceful."

"..."

Hannah Johnson glanced at Isaac Shea not far away; he was being led by his parents to greet Mario Payne and his wife.

She casually took a glass of wine, downed it, and turned to walk out.

Mr. Grant saw this and immediately followed.

"Miss Johnson!" He hurriedly chased after her.

"Mr. Grant, let me be clear, I have no interest in you that way, so please stop bothering me," Hannah Johnson was not one to beat around the bush.

The man smiled, "I understand. I just wanted to talk to you about a collaboration."

"What collaboration?"

"May I have a word with you aside?"

"Let’s talk right here."

Hannah Johnson was standing by a hallway window at the time, feeling some kind of indescribable sensation in her heart after discovering Isaac Shea’s identity. She had drunk more than usual and was feeling very hot, stepping out for some fresh air.

Mr. Grant just smiled and started talking to her about work.

As they talked, Hannah Johnson began to feel something was off.

She often entertained and could hold her liquor; although she had drunk plenty that evening, she had a sense of moderation and shouldn’t have been drunk, but now she felt a strange heat throughout her body.

It was a bizarre heat.

She took a deep breath, "Mr. Grant, we can talk about work some other time. I need to use the restroom."

The man nodded.

As Hannah Johnson entered the restroom and started washing her face with cold water, she realized it did nothing to dissipate the heat; instead, her body felt increasingly worse.

Possibly...

She had been drugged!

Was it Mr. Grant?

That bastard!

She was very careful; when had she been drugged?

He wouldn’t dare drug her drink.

She rummaged through her bag for her phone, intending to call Zoe Bell, but found herself too weak to focus her eyes or to grasp the phone tightly.

"Clang—" The phone crashed onto the tiled floor.

At the same time, someone entered the restroom.

"Bang!" The door closed shut.