Mrs Hale, I Surrender
Chapter 294 - 293 Everyone understands, only he is an idiot.

Chapter 294: 293 Everyone understands, only he is an idiot.

Many people in the circle were waiting to laugh at Zoe Bell’s misfortune, as her online store was not large and her fan count had not yet reached ten thousand. Though it was profitable, the money she made was ultimately not much.

For such a trifling profit, she had a hand in causing the Hale Family to lose face, which was truly a lack of vision.

There were also many reports.

But instead of waiting for the Hale Family to kick her out, they were met with an official notice.

It closed down accounts spreading false information and stated that "Payne" had illegally employed Smith to publish fake videos and hire bots to spread malicious rumors, causing severe societal impact; as such, Payne had been detained by the authorities.

At the same time, Zoe Bell’s online store was unbanned.

Meanwhile, the Payne Family, led by Iva Payne, moved out of the Sheng Family Mansion overnight.

"Payne"?

It was almost equivalent to disclosing Celine Payne’s identity to everyone.

Everyone still remembered the incident at the Hot Spring Villa, and putting two and two together, it seemed likely that Celine Payne had caused this trouble out of revenge.

But how foolish!

The two had no direct connection; she was living the good life, carrying the title of Miss Payne, and even had the chance to have an arranged marriage with the Shaw Family. If she really could marry in, she’d lead a life of wealth and comfort, but instead, she chose to self-destruct.

Her actions not only affected herself but also her mother.

If things continued like this, the Payne Corps might soon have no place for her family.

---

Sheng Family Mansion

Iva Payne wanted to move back but was busy dealing with her daughter’s situation, so she only took some belongings and hurriedly left. The senior Paynes invited Zoe Bell to stay for dinner.

"Michale, you should eat before you leave too," the Old Lady said to Michale Shaw.

"Do as Grandma says."

Michale was at that time busy surfing the internet; he even went up to Zoe Bell to show her online comments, "These fair-weather fans online were attacking you before, and now they are all praising you."

"Not like me, I’ve believed in my sister-in-law from the start."

Zoe laughed out loud, "We’re not even close, why would you believe in me?"

"Because I’ve known Hale for many years, and I trust his judgment."

"However, with the recent situation, you’ve thoroughly offended Iva Payne. The Payne Family is in the midst of a power struggle, so it would be better to keep your distance from Junior President Payne for the time being to avoid getting caught up in the crossfire inadvertently."

Michale didn’t know about Zoe’s relationship with the Payne Family, and he meant well.

"Thanks for the heads-up."

"Don’t mention it, you’re my brother’s wife, after all. We should see each other more often."

"Plus, your leg is almost healed now. I know all the good places to eat and have fun in Capital City, I can take you out to enjoy."

"You want to take my wife out for fun, and what about me?" William Hale raised an eyebrow.

"You’re responsible for making money!"

"..."

"Hale, you don’t understand the world of us young people."

William Hale chuckled lowly, his gaze sharp as a knife, as if it were resting on Michale’s neck.

Someone was particularly joyful today; Celine Payne had been caught and couldn’t escape detention. After causing such a scandal, there was no way his family elders would bring up the matter of an arranged marriage again, which proved to be true when Grandma called.

"Michale, are you still at the Payne house?" Zoe, being close by, could clearly hear the Old Lady’s voice from the other end.

"Yes."

"Is it convenient to talk?"

"It is."

"Is it true that there has been trouble in the Payne Family?"

"Grandma, I was just about to tell you about this. Although Miss Payne has done wrong and has been caught, I firmly believe that she knows her mistake. Everyone makes errors and shouldn’t be written off for one. We should give her another chance. I’ve decided to officially pursue her once she’s out."

"..."

Zoe’s pupils dilated. What was he up to!

"Michale, Grandma thinks that small mistakes can be overlooked, but her current behavior is really inappropriate," the Old Lady also chose her words carefully, "and you’ve always been against it from the start."

"Love often comes unexpectedly."

"Stop talking nonsense."

"Grandma, don’t say that. I just have a thing for bad girls."

"Are you crazy!"

"Not just that, you also always say that I’m missing a screw."

"Michale, you little rascal, get rid of that thought right now. I will never agree to anything involving Celine Payne."

"Grandma, you’re breaking up lovebirds here. I truly love her."

"You used to say you wouldn’t marry anyone but Hannah Johnson."

"Bringing up the past is pointless."

"Anyway, you should stop thinking about her, or don’t blame me for breaking your legs."

After the Old Lady finished speaking, she hung up the phone, and Michale Shaw burst into laughter. Initially, it was his grandmother who insisted on arranging a blind date for him with her, cajoling and pressuring. He always liked to tease her a bit.

But when it came time for dinner, Michale Shaw couldn’t find any reason to laugh.

He didn’t know how the seating was arranged, but Zoe Bell ended up sitting between Julia Yates and Old Mrs. Payne, and as for himself...

To his left, Hale, to his right, his uncle.

Michale Shaw kept his head down the whole time.

"What, you’re not happy sitting with me and uncle?" William Hale’s lips curled up in amusement. Just before, he was all smiles, wanting to take his wife out for a good time, but now he seemed wilted.

"Or is it that... you feel you have nothing in common to talk about with me and uncle?"

"That’s true, you just said that we wouldn’t understand the world of the younger generation."

Michale Shaw was almost livid with rage.

He was just joking; how did he bring uncle into this as well?

Do you want me to die early?

Finn Hale was sipping tea, caressing the bone china cup, "It seems like Michale thinks I’m too old."

"Uncle, how could I dare? In front of you, I’ll always be the younger brother."

Hale: "If you call my nephew ’brother,’ does that mean I should address you as Uncle Shaw?"

Michale Shaw was about to lose his mind.

Can you uncle and nephew give me a break?

He looked up, his eyes desperately seeking help from Zoe Bell.

But Zoe Bell wasn’t in the mood to deal with him; she hadn’t known that the two elders before her were her own grandparents, and now she couldn’t help feeling a bit constrained.

And...

Grandpa is so scary!

"This is your own home; don’t be nervous." The Old Lady said with a smile, holding her hand.

But the next second, she couldn’t help but her eyes turn red.

Tears seemed to fall uncontrollably, leaving Michale Shaw stunned. Why is Grandma Payne crying?

"There are many youngsters present, no need to cry." The old man frowned.

"They’re all my own children, as if they would laugh at me. What’s wrong with me crying a bit?" Perhaps because of her age, the Old Lady’s tone sounded childishly stubborn.

"Your eyes just went through surgery."

"Grandma, please don’t cry," Zoe Bell offered her a tissue.

"Good child, you’ve suffered a lot these years out there..." The Old Lady stroked her hair, "It’s good you’re home; this year, our family can finally have a reunion dinner."

"This table is full of food you like, but I don’t know if your tastes have changed."

"My memory of you is still from when you were very young, and in the blink of an eye, you’ve grown into a young lady."

The Old Lady became even more emotional.

If it weren’t for Zoe Bell and Julia coaxing her, she probably would have cried for a long time.

Michale Shaw frowned and leaned closer to William Hale: "Hale, why do I feel a bit confused? What does all this mean?"

"Zoe is the Payne Family’s lost daughter."

"..."

Michale Shaw’s mouth gaped wide open.

He looked completely shocked and bewildered.

William Hale turned to look at him, "What? I didn’t tell you?"

Michale Shaw gritted his teeth, "When did you tell me? Hale, you’re not joking with me, right? Since when did the Payne Family have a daughter pop up out of nowhere?"

"You kept such a big thing from me?"

Looking at everyone at the table, the Hale Family probably all knew; it seemed he was the only idiot here.

Michale Shaw vaguely remembered Zoe Bell asking him for gossip about Junior President Payne, and his careless mouth even suggested that he might not like women.

He had just been advising his sister-in-law to stay away from the Payne Family, but now it seemed that he...

Looked like a complete fool.

Oh heavens, just strike me with lightning and kill me now!