Mrs Hale, I Surrender
Chapter 299 - 298 is a counterfeit, there’s a good show to watch (2 more updates)

Chapter 299: 298 is a counterfeit, there’s a good show to watch (2 more updates)

Zoe Bell saw her, but her heart sank a notch.

She was supposed to go to the Payne Family to pick up some incense sticks, but got so caught up in watching the drama unfold that she forgot her errand. Now with guests arriving, she felt extremely embarrassed.

"I’m really sorry, I haven’t retrieved the items yet."

"I’ll come back another day then."

"I’m truly sorry."

"I was too hasty."

"Please, don’t worry about it. Have a seat and enjoy a cup of tea before you go." Zoe Bell was hospitable, so her guest took a seat.

"Sister-in-law, who is that?" Michale Shaw asked in private.

"My guest."

"Does she have a boyfriend?"

"This is an incense shop, not a matchmaking agency. I don’t pry into my customers’ private lives," Zoe Bell laughed softly. "Do you like her?"

"It was love at first sight."

"..."

Zoe Bell didn’t believe his nonsense; Michale Shaw was just like Wyatt Hale, always bluffing.

She immediately warned him, "Keep your distance from my guests."

Michale Shaw was all talk and didn’t ask for contact details; he just sat with Wyatt Hale on the side, lamenting.

Everyone has two eyes and a mouth, yet why are some people born so good-looking.

Zoe Bell offered her guest tea, while secretly asking Finn Hale if he could come over.

"Cousin, hurry over, there’s a beauty here," Wyatt Hale whispered into his phone.

Finn Hale rubbed his temples.

Could it be...

Was it some kind of blind date arranged by Grandpa?

"I’m busy, not going over."

"Cousin, you’ll regret it if you don’t come," Wyatt Hale huffed.

"Don’t worry, I never regret my actions."

Wyatt Hale pouted and after hanging up the phone, he complained, "Never regrets his actions, huh? I wonder who ’chased his wife to the crematorium’?"

"Chased his wife to the crematorium? Is there some juicy gossip?" Michale Shaw immediately moved closer.

To him, gossip was more interesting than any beauty.

Especially if it’s about his cousin.

---

But Finn Hale really wasn’t free to go.

He had received a call from the construction site, saying that work at the Old House of the Hale Family would be suspended for a few days. Thinking something had gone wrong, he decided to check things out after work.

He found that, despite it being neither a festival nor a holiday, the Sheng Family Mansion was bustling with festivity.

"Mr. Finn," Celine Payne saw him and seemed as if she would rush over, yet she feigned composure.

Simon Hale remained silent.

"Please come inside."

"It seems your family is busy. I don’t want to intrude."

"My long-lost cousin has returned."

"What?"

Simon Hale was taken aback.

Although he hadn’t recently been staying at the old house, he hadn’t heard anything about the Payne Family taking Zoe Bell back.

"I have a cousin who was separated from us due to an accident years ago, and we just recently found her. Today is the day we’re welcoming her back home," Celine Payne said with a smile.

"Tim Payne’s sister?"

"Yes, not many outside our family know about this. Would you like to stay for dinner?"

Simon Hale didn’t refuse.

He was curious to see which daughter the Payne Family had conjured up now.

He had not yet entered the house when he heard a car pulling up. Soon, almost everyone from the Payne Family went out to greet the newcomer. A girl about twenty-four or twenty-five got out of the car, and indeed, she bore a slight resemblance to Julia Yates, looking shy and restrained.

"Good child, my dear granddaughter—" The Old Lady was the first to rush over.

Simon Hale frowned and glanced at Tim Payne, who stood not too far away with tears in his eyes.

What was this all about?

Why were they all embracing and crying together?

"Iva, you’ve worked hard on this matter. Finding our daughter for us, we will never forget this favor in our lifetime," Julia Yates said as she held on to Iva Payne’s hand, reluctant to let go.

It was arranged by Iva Payne?

"Is this really the Payne Family’s daughter?" Simon Hale frowned.

"A paternity test has been done; she is certainly my cousin." Celine Payne smiled too proudly.

Simon Hale, not wanting to disturb their family reunion, did not stay long.

Tim Payne saw him to the door.

"Today our family is just too busy, we don’t have the time to entertain you."

"Congratulations."

"Thank you, my parents will throw a banquet for her soon, to formally introduce her to everyone. If you’re free, we’d welcome you to join the fun."

"Of course, I’ll be there."

With such an exciting drama unfolding, how could Finn Hale possibly miss out?

---

Old House of Hale Family

When Finn Hale got home, Old Sir Hale snorted coldly, "Didn’t someone run away in the middle of the night? What are you doing back here?"

"The Payne Family is holding a banquet."

"Didn’t they just have one? Another one?"

"They’ve brought back their long-lost daughter and are going to formally introduce her to everyone."

"Oh..." Old Sir Hale responded, and then he sensed something was amiss. Such big news, and the Payne Family, being both respectable and thorough in their dealings, would surely have informed them. Yet there was no word at all. "What happened?"

"I met the girl today. She looks quite a bit like Mrs. Payne."

"You..."

Old Sir Hale’s pupils dilated.

This darn kid, talking about such earth-shattering news with not even a hint of expression on his face.

No wonder this rebel son suddenly came home.

He was here for the gossip.

That evening, all the Hale Family were present, and Zoe Bell admitted, "Indeed, a daughter has been brought back, but it’s not me."

Tim Payne was cautious in his dealings, and had conducted a DNA verification with Zoe.

She was definitely real.

Where had Iva Payne found such a fake?

"They say a DNA test was done?" Lily Lott frowned.

"Nowadays, some countries are even researching cloning. Humans themselves might not be real, let alone a piece of paper verification," Simon Hale said, "The test is done by machines, but humans operate them. If they want to fake it, there’s always a way."

"It’s a big world; it’s normal for people to look alike."

"Has Iva Payne lost her mind?" the Old Lady snorted coldly, "She dares to fake such a thing!"

"At first, when they suspected that Zoe ’passed away,’ Mrs. Payne fell ill, and Mr. Payne was too focused on caring for his wife to manage the company, which shows how important their daughter was to them..."

"Now, she’s merely trying to replicate what happened back then," William Hale analyzed calmly.

As long as Mario Payne and his wife weren’t focused on the power struggle, her chance would come.

Old Sir Hale furrowed his brows, "Are you saying that Zoe’s accident might be related to Iva Payne?"

"Speculation."

William had no evidence, and he chose his words carefully.

After Celine Payne’s incident, Iva Payne’s powers were stripped, and she was driven out of the family mansion.

From any angle, she needed to take action.

If it weren’t for the Paynes already recognizing Zoe and being so eager to find their daughter, perhaps...

She could really take advantage of this opportunity!

Although the risk was great, success would bring infinite benefits.

"It’s terrifying; no matter what, she’s the biological niece, and was so young. How could she do such a thing?" Wyatt Hale shivered as he listened.

Even though he lived in his home like an orphan, at least he survived.

He wasn’t murdered.

It seemed that the Payne Family was the real den of dragons and tigers.

At this moment, he looked at his stern grandfather, his intimidating father, and his stoic uncle, and suddenly found them quite amiable.

"Lily, what are you going to do about this?" Lily Lott looked at Zoe, with some concern.

"My brother said I don’t need to worry about it."

And the next day, the news that the Payne Family had found their long-lost daughter spread throughout Capital City. While most were surprised, they also sent their blessings.

The Payne Family announced they would hold a grand banquet, when they would formally introduce her to everyone.

Even the Hale Family received an official invitation, inviting them all to attend.

Hannah Johnson was stunned upon hearing the news.

She recognized every word on the invitation, but together, they baffled her.

She had been engrossed in the gentle company of a certain tea-colored Puppy recently and hadn’t met Zoe often. How could there suddenly be an imposter?

"Are you going to the banquet?" Isaac Shea asked.

"Definitely."

There was more drama to watch; how could she not go?

Besides, she was curious to see who had the audacity to pose as a Payne Family member.

Hannah went to find Zoe at the store, not feeling at ease. Instead, she unexpectedly came across Celine Payne and a girl who was with her, who, by her looks, Hannah could approximately guess her identity.

Well then,

This imposter sure had guts, bold enough to show up right in front of the real deal.