Mrs Hale, I Surrender
Chapter 282 - 281 Thank you, Puppy: A Master at Brewing Tea (2 more updates)

Chapter 282: 281 Thank you, Puppy: A Master at Brewing Tea (2 more updates)

Iva Payne hurriedly pulled her daughter to their feet, "Then we won’t bother you any longer."

"What kind of talk is that, why don’t you stay for the meal?" Lily Lott said with a smile.

But Old Sir Hale had already made his point so clear that even if Iva Payne and her daughter wanted to stay, they would feel too embarrassed.

"Perhaps next time. My husband is waiting at home for us to have dinner." Iva Payne said with a smile.

"Then I’ll see you out." Zoe Bell stood up.

"You have difficulty walking; let me do it," Lily Lott suggested, indicating Zoe Bell to sit back down.

Never before had Iva Payne and her daughter swallowed such a silent grievance. Only when they headed to the parking area did they find out that today’s visitors were Hannah Johnson and Isaac Shea.

They knew each other and exchanged pleasantries upon meeting before parting ways.

"Hannah—" The Old Lady personally went out to meet her.

"Grandma! It’s so cold, why did you come out?"

"I missed you, it’s been so long since you came to see me."

"I’ve been busy with work."

"I think you’ve been busy dating. With a boyfriend now, you probably forgot about this old lady."

"What old lady? In my heart, you’re forever young." Hannah Johnson hooked arms with the Old Lady and didn’t forget to gesture for Isaac Shea to follow.

"Sis, you’re dating now, shouldn’t you treat us to a meal?" Wyatt Hale had already rushed out.

"All you think about is eating."

"Red envelopes can also work."

"Are you that strapped for cash?"

"I’m the poorest in the family."

"..."

The group walked through the corridor, laughing as they entered the house.

Sitting in the car, Iva Payne and her daughter just watched this scene quietly.

"Mom, these Hale Family people are really too much, especially that Wyatt Hale!" Celine Payne angrily took off her clunky gemstone earrings.

"You have the nerve to speak? If it weren’t for your stupidity, causing such a mess, the Hale Family, no matter what, wouldn’t have done this."

"Even if it’s my fault, you went there, not for my sake, then for yours and the Payne Family’s dignity, at least."

"What kind of people are the Hale Family, when have they ever cared about anyone’s face?"

If the Hale Family really were so easy to deal with, she would have long ago agreed to let her daughter pursue Finn Hale.

With the Hale Family being what they are, you can’t hide any scheming.

They certainly won’t like her own daughter’s cunning nature.

"I think they are just high and mighty, but very courteous to that Young Master Shea, with so many people coming out to greet him," Celine Payne muttered, "When my grandparents return to Beijing, I’m going to complain to them so they can back me up."

"How are they going to back you up? You made a mistake yourself, and you still expect them to stand up for you?"

"With your grandfather’s temper, it’s your luck he doesn’t hit you."

Celine Payne fumed with anger.

"Mom, if you and Uncle fought for power, whose side would Grandma and Grandpa take?" Celine Payne mumbled, "I remember they were especially fond of Auntie."

"Especially after my cousin died, she’s been sickly all the time."

"Back then, Grandma was so sympathetic towards her."

"It wouldn’t be an act, would it? Now that Payne Corps is thriving under your management, perhaps they want a piece of the action."

"If they favor Uncle’s family, and with the support of the Hale Family, Hugh Family, and Isaac Shea dating Hannah Johnson, if the Shea Family gets involved, do we even stand a chance?"

Iva Payne sat silently and didn’t respond.

Her sister-in-law was in poor health; it showed on the medical records and didn’t seem like an act.

Furthermore, she had once attempted suicide.

No act could justify mistreating oneself to that extent.

She knew that over the years her sister-in-law had refused to accept her daughter’s death, so they had been quietly searching for her whereabouts, unsure if they were still looking even now.

Could it be,

That she has moved on from mourning her daughter?

Or could it be the daughter has been found?

---

Meanwhile, in the Hale Family’s living room

Isaac Shea, as a distinguished guest, received a warm welcome from everyone, but Hannah Johnson still asked, "Was that Payne Family mother and daughter just now? What were they here for?"

"Making an apology visit," Wyatt Hale clicked his tongue.

"They brought gifts for my sister-in-law, but she didn’t want to accept them; they even tried to make it a moral issue, claiming not accepting would mean not forgiving Celine Payne."

"Dressed up like a peacock, clearly not sincerely here to apologize."

"Besides, why should we have to forgive just because she apologizes?"

Lily Lott frowned, "You talk too much."

"Mom..."

"Wyatt," William Hale suddenly spoke up, "did you just say you were the poorest in the family?"

"Am I not?"

"Don’t you work for Zoe?"

"My sister-in-law has been busy with her surgery, no time to make scents, and the online store has limited business."

"Then I’ll give you some pocket money later, don’t make it seem like our family mistreats you."

"Thanks, bro, you’re my real brother!" Wyatt Hale was instantly overjoyed.

He knew it, clutching onto his sister-in-law’s coattails meant a sure meal.

As they talked, Old Sir Hale looked toward Isaac Shea, "Mr. Shea, don’t be shy. We consider Hannah like our own granddaughter, one of the family. You should feel at home here; no need for formalities."

"Mm-hm." Isaac Shea nodded, "Then you shouldn’t call me Mr. Shea either. You can call me Little Shea or Isaac."

"Alright, I’ll call you Little Shea."

The Hale Family took a liking to Isaac Shea the first time he visited their home.

Now, they were even more satisfied with him.

Isaac Shea was different from all of the Hale grandsons, well-behaved and sensible, and he had a charming way of speaking.

Not like his own grandsons: the eldest’s lot, one never smiled, the other always grinning like a simpleton; the second’s, one obsessed with his studies, another fervent about fitness...

And then there was the third.

Old Sir Hale glanced at his rebellious son:

Look at him, speak nicely, and behaves properly.

The key is, he knows how to cozy up and get the benefits.

Unlike this pig of his, who’s good for nothing aside from getting on his nerves.

Can’t even snag a wife.

Finn Hale completely ignored his elderly father.

Simon Hale, however, snorted:

Little Shea?

Others might not know, but he was very aware of how standoffish this Mr. Shea was at school.

Seemed amiable enough, but particularly demanding when it came to academics. Many freshmen, fooled by his good looks, would enroll in his classes.

The result...

Devastation come finals!

And now he’s humbly calling himself Little Shea?

"Simon, long time no see," Isaac Shea noticed his odd expression and took the initiative to greet him.

"Mr. Shea," Logan responded politely.

That expression, as if to say:

Keep away, we’re not close!

"What’s the matter? You’re not holding a grudge against me, are you?"

"Of course not."

Simon Hale was that audacious.

Isaac Shea furrowed his brow slightly, "It was my fault, not telling you about Hannah and me. We are close, and I hid it from you."

"If you’re angry, I deserve it."

"Essentially, it’s all my fault."

Simon Hale: "?!?"

These words, so thick with the scent of tea.

You’re the one who deliberately hid it.

Isn’t it your fault?

He hadn’t noticed before how well he could act.

Logan Hale whispered to his brother, "Bro, does Teacher Shea study green tea in his experiments?"

"Scram—"

"Don’t show him your bad side; you can’t outplay him at this game."

Even Logan could tell that Isaac Shea was like a puppy with an innocent face, skilled in the art of the tea ceremony.

No wonder he could charm their cousin.

Wyatt Hale knew to curry favor early with his future brother-in-law.

"Brother-in-law, you’re even teaching at the university now. How come you are so excellent?" Wyatt kept calling him brother-in-law, sounding so affectionate, "If I’d met you earlier and studied like you, or if you could’ve tutored me, I definitely would’ve gotten into a better university."

"You’re a teacher, you’ve got your own methods for educating students."

Wyatt felt, this brother-in-law would be a great pillar to cling to in the future.

Good-natured, and most importantly...

Rich!

The other members of the Hale Family:

So we weren’t worth learning from, huh?

With grades like dogs**t, not even a god could save you.

William Hale frowned, ’Brother-in-law’ this, ’brother-in-law’ that—did this kid think he was dead?

Just gave him pocket money, and here he goes playing the death card.

Such audacity; seems there’s no one left in the family he respects.

Zoe Bell was just observing the charade when her phone vibrated, a message from her brother.

[Did auntie visit your place?]

[You are really well-informed.]

[She didn’t do anything, did she?]

[Nope.]

Iva Payne’s visit this time brought expensive gifts, clearly aimed at ingratiating herself with the Hale Family, yet it was all disrupted by Wyatt Hale.

Tim Payne: [Grandpa and Grandma returned to Beijing early.]

Zoe Bell paused, it seemed the Payne Family wouldn’t find peace for a while.