Mrs Hale, I Surrender
Chapter 284 - 283 Zoe acknowledges a grandma? (2nd update)

Chapter 284: 283 Zoe acknowledges a grandma? (2nd update)

Old Lady Hale’s right ring finger bore a very simple gold ring.

From its style and wear, it seemed quite old.

"Do you like this ring?" Old Lady Hale suddenly spoke up.

Zoe Bell was taken aback for a moment, staring at someone else’s possession felt impolite, and she smiled awkwardly.

"It just seems to have a unique style."

"Of course, it’s a design from decades ago, no longer available now."

"You can tell it’s an older style, but it’s still very pretty."

"This is my wedding ring, worn for over 50 years."

"Then your relationship with Grandpa must have been very good."

"Not bad," said Old Lady Hale while glancing at the ring on her ring finger, "Unlike the delicate and good-looking rings of today, your ring on your hand is quite nice. May I take a look at it?"

Zoe Bell nodded.

She took off her ring and handed it to her.

As Old Lady Hale took the ring, the medical record bag that had been resting on her lap slid off, spilling its contents all over the floor. Just as she bent down to pick them up, Zoe Bell said, "Don’t move, I’ll get it."

"Your leg doesn’t look very convenient."

"It’s fine, just picking up some things."

Zoe had already noticed that her walking stick was very special; it appeared to be retractable and foldable, with some button devices on it. Her first impression was that it somewhat resembled a white cane.

But this old lady seemed to have normal vision.

After looking at the ring, Old Lady Hale gave it back to her and then asked, "What happened to your leg?"

"I got hurt by accident, had a minor surgery. Are you here at the hospital for..."

"A health checkup."

"Did you come by yourself? No family member accompanied you?"

"My old man went to pay the bills."

Zoe Bell nodded, then heard her ask:

"Your ring, it’s a matching set, isn’t it?"

Zoe handed her the organized medical report, "Yes, I’m married."

"The ring is very beautiful."

"Thank you, the designer is quite superior."

Old Lady Hale just smiled, "Nowadays, young people don’t want to get married. My grandson doesn’t even want to go on arranged dates. I didn’t expect you to marry so early."

"I met the right person."

"Judging by the way you talk, your relationship with your partner must be quite good."

"He treats me very well."

"In life, it’s rare to meet someone you like. I hope that my unruly grandson can also find a good match soon rather than just focusing on work all the time."

"It means fate has not arrived yet."

"Judging by your accent, you’re not from Capital City."

"I grew up in Greenland."

Even though Zoe spoke without much of an accent, there was still a difference compared to a native Capital City-born resident.

"You smell really nice, there’s a hint of sandalwood, but it’s not just that."

"You have a good sense of smell, I made the incense myself."

"Is it for sale?"

"I have an online store."

Zoe Bell would not miss the opportunity to promote her shop.

"Don’t you have a physical store?"

"Not at the moment."

"I’m not very good at online shopping."

"How about... we exchange contact information? If you need anything, I can deliver it to your door," Zoe conversed with her in a friendly manner.

"That might be nice," Old Lady Hale took out a senior citizen’s phone.

But Zoe also reminded her, "Incense sticks and perfumes are different; they produce smoke. When the weather is cold, you still need to open windows for ventilation. The elderly and children are quite sensitive and might find the smoke irritating to their eyes. So when lighting incense, you must be especially cautious."

Old Lady Hale nodded with a smile.

They exchanged only a few words, and then it was Zoe Bell’s turn for her checkup. She greeted the old lady before leaving, while Old Lady Hale watched her back for a long time, Kyle Lowe noticed her, and gave her a few extra glances.

The only reason was that the Old Lady had an incredibly pleasant demeanor.

"Madam, did you know that lady just now?"

"No, I don’t. We just happened to strike up a brief conversation."

"She doesn’t seem like an ordinary person."

Zoe Bell just smiled. After all, it was just a chance encounter; who she was didn’t matter much to Zoe.

It wasn’t until the woman’s figure disappeared that Old Lady Hale retracted her gaze, caressing the walking stick in her hand for a long while before letting out a deep sigh.

---

Zoe Bell finished her check-up and received a call from her brother, who was waiting for her in the hospital parking lot. She looked around before getting into his car.

Kyle Lowe was speechless:

Siblings meeting up like they’re spies making a covert connection.

"How did the check-up go?" Tim Payne happened to be nearby meeting a client.

"I’m recovering well, but my ankle still lacks strength. It’s going to take some time."

Tim nodded, "Shall we have lunch together?"

"Sure. Should we invite Uncle?"

"No need, he’s gone abroad."

"When did he leave?"

"Yesterday."

Martin Yates hated goodbyes, so aside from Tim, he didn’t inform anyone before leaving.

Zoe lowered her head to send a message to William Hale, informing him she wouldn’t be coming home for lunch, and casually asked her brother, "Have Grandpa and Grandma returned to Capital City yet?"

"Not yet, they said they’d be back in three or four days."

"They were supposed to come back next month. It’s quite sudden that they changed their plans."

Tim Payne was no fool.

The change in their return to Capital City happened right after the banquet.

Most likely, they heard about the incident that occurred the morning after the banquet, and Celine Payne probably called them in tears claiming she was wronged.

He knew his cousin well.

Normally prim and proper in public, but spoiled by her mother, she had caused troubles since childhood.

When his sister was born, Grandpa and Grandma gave her a baby lock and a small bracelet. When Celine saw them, she got jealous, saying her sister’s were nicer and accused Grandpa and Grandma of favoritism, making a fuss for a while.

His sister was premature and had a difficult time growing up.

It was natural for the family to be more affectionate towards her.

Moreover, she lived abroad with their parents for years, so Grandpa and Grandma were naturally overjoyed whenever they came back.

That caused Celine to act petulant.

Distorting the truth was something she did often.

She even claimed that once Grandpa and Grandma had a granddaughter, they didn’t need her anymore.

She insisted she was the true Payne Family eldest daughter, and that her sister was just the second young mistress...

Even though the elders gave them equal presents during festivals, she insisted her sister’s were better and wanted to exchange.

She was young then, and had been scolded by Grandpa.

Her parents didn’t hold it against her, either.

As she grew up, her aunt disciplined her strictly. That’s why to outsiders, she appeared elegant and proper, and she put on a good show in front of Grandpa and Grandma too.

Now, having been at a disadvantage, she was certainly playing the victim first.

Anyway, since Grandpa and Grandma weren’t in Capital City, they were oblivious to the details and didn’t know what she had said.

Tim could guess why the elders decided to return to Capital City earlier, and naturally, Zoe could too, "Brother, do you think... Grandpa and Grandma might not like me?"

"Don’t worry, they won’t."

"Grandpa and Grandma used to adore you the most. Grandma’s eyesight is failing, firstly because of work, and secondly due to her crying over your disappearance."

Poor eyesight...

Zoe’s thoughts drifted back to the Old Lady she had met at the hospital.

In the middle of the conversation, her phone vibrated; it was the Old Lady she had just exchanged contact information with, "Hello, hello, Grandma."

Tim raised an eyebrow.

The tone was very polite, clearly not Old Lady Hale.

It seemed his sister had found herself another grandmother from somewhere.