Mrs Hale, I Surrender
Chapter 301 - 300 Junior President Payne’s Handsome Man Plan, Going with the Flow (2 more updates)

Chapter 301: 300 Junior President Payne’s Handsome Man Plan, Going with the Flow (2 more updates)

Zoe Bell laughed so hard that she was nearly in tears, which showed that the impostor wasn’t very smart.

Iva Payne probably turned to him out of desperation, not really knowing him that well.

Instead of behaving like a proper Miss Payne, she chose to do things that aroused suspicion.

"Still laughing?"

"No more laughing, I just think that the brother has great charm." Zoe couldn’t help but laugh again, causing Tim Payne’s face to darken; it took her a while to soothe him before his expression softened.

"Brother, I’m very curious, what kind of girl do you actually like?"

"I don’t know."

Tim had never felt attracted to anyone; he had no specific standards.

"There’s this customer who’s really pretty, it’s a pity I don’t run a matchmaking service, and we aren’t very familiar; otherwise... I would definitely introduce her to you."

Tim just chuckled, "If you really have resources, you might as well introduce her to your uncle."

"He has someone in his heart."

"But that girl might not feel the same about him."

"..."

Zoe took a deep breath; you two really don’t get along, do you?

Is there a need to be so venomous?

You don’t wish any good for my uncle.

"By the way, how do you plan to handle this situation?"

"Don’t worry about it, just sit back and enjoy the show."

It was that phrase again.

Tim wouldn’t divulge a thing, and Zoe couldn’t pry it out of him.

——

After leaving her office, Tim Payne took Ophelia Wilson away, leaving Celine Payne behind, which infuriated her.

How could Cousin act this way!

"Brother, isn’t it inappropriate not to take Cousin?"

Ophelia sat beside him, glancing at him out of the corner of her eye.

"She’s not my biological sister. There’s nothing inappropriate. What do you want to eat?"

"Anything is fine."

"Then I’ll decide for you."

Tim had reserved the entire restaurant for just the two of them, complete with champagne, fine wines, and piano solo performance. Ophelia had never experienced such treatment; she looked up at the man across from her, and her face turned even redder.

The elegance and privileged air about him, and his special favor for her—a fool would not be moved.

"Stay away from Celine."

Ophelia’s heart skipped a beat, "Why, why?"

"She has been jealous of you since childhood. You’ve just returned home, and I’m worried she might give you a hard time," Tim continued. "There are certain things I’d prefer not to tell you, but you’re my sister, and sooner or later you’ll know—our family and Aunt’s family have had some conflicts recently, not getting along very well."

Ophelia nodded in acknowledgment.

Before the dishes were served, Tim handed her a box.

"What’s this?"

"For you."

Ophelia opened it to find a gold bracelet encrusted with pearls, "This is..."

"This is the pearl bracelet, I think it suits you well."

"Brother, this is too valuable."

"You’re my sister, no matter how expensive it is, it’s appropriate," Tim said with a smile.

"Thank you, brother." Ophelia had never seen such a beautiful bracelet, and when she looked up at the person across from her, her heart pounded.

Assistant Law stood not far away, silently watching.

Junior President Payne...

Are you planning to personally intervene?

It wasn’t easy.

After dining, Tim took her shopping, and by the time they returned to the old mansion it was very late; Celine Payne saw them and was furious.

That wretched girl, thinking she’s the lady of the house!

Tim escorted Ophelia back to her room, casually mentioning, "After the family recognition banquet, are you sure you still want to go abroad?"

Ophelia was startled.

This was what she and Iva Payne had arranged.

She had always stayed with the Payne Family, which inevitably risked exposing her, so she used the excuse of needing to go back to work, unable to stay long in the country.

Tim said, touching her hair, "I really don’t want you to go..."

"If only you weren’t my sister."

"What, what?" Ophelia Wilson doubted her own ears.

"It’s nothing, just get some rest."

Ophelia only felt her face grow hot.

Could it be...

that he had feelings for her...

She dared not even think it through.

At that moment, Celine Payne burst into the room, saw her flushed face, locked the door, and whispered harshly, "Ophelia Wilson, mind your own business and stop fantasizing about my brother."

"As if you’re even worthy of him!"

Ophelia’s face turned pale as she drooped her head, "It’s not that I want to, Mr. Payne is the one who told me to deliberately get close to him."

"Why would my mother ask you to do that?"

"I don’t know, probably... she hopes I can get on well with Junior President Payne, hoping I can pry some information from him."

Ophelia knew very well that if any scandal involving her as a "sister" with Tim Payne emerged,

the reputed Junior President Payne, famous throughout the Capital City, would have his reputation completely destroyed!

After all, such matters utterly disregard human relationships.

That woman...

was determined to destroy Mario Payne and his wife’s only son!

Given that his daughter was disappointing and her age was not on her side, Payne Corps would inevitably fall into Tim Payne’s hands.

"What did my brother give you?"

"A bracelet."

"Let me see it."

Celine Payne was not short of fine things, but felt such a bracelet was unmerited by her and straightaway confiscated it, infuriating Ophelia to no end.

"This was given to me by my brother."

"Then I’ll return it to you, dare you accept it?"

"..."

"Don’t forget your place!" Celine warned, "After the party, I’ll have you sent abroad!"

Ophelia nodded in acknowledgment.

Yet, internally, she was far from satisfied.

Humans are always greedy.

Especially the words Tim Payne had just said, which stirred some fanciful thoughts in her already unsettled heart.

If Junior President Payne did have feelings for her, if he could marry her, then wouldn’t she...

After all, once Iva Payne was done using her, she was to be sent abroad, and even with some money, it wouldn’t be enough for a lifetime.

—

Tim Payne didn’t stay at the old house tonight, but returned to his own place; Assistant Law brought over many documents, nearly bursting into laughter at his boss.

"Am I funny?" Tim Payne asked coldly.

"Junior President Payne, would you like to take a bath?"

"Do you think I’m dirty?"

"..."

Assistant Law hadn’t anticipated that his boss would opt to use a beauty trap.

Such a big sacrifice!

If he provided a bed, that imposter might boldly consummate with his boss right there.

"I think you are very noble, sacrificing yourself; I admire that," Assistant Law managed, stifling a laugh.

"It’s almost the end of the year."

"Yes."

"You probably don’t want your year-end bonus."

Assistant Law’s laughter vanished.

Ever since Ophelia Wilson arrived, she was always deliberately close to him, and Tim Payne was not foolish; some of her actions were not befitting of a sister’s.

Restrained and meek in front of elders, yet bold enough to knock on his door late at night.

Her contradictory nature naturally aroused suspicion.

She dared to act this way, obviously encouraged by someone.

Iva Payne, fearing she couldn’t control the situation, chose Ophelia Wilson carefully—needing someone clever and adaptable, but not too smart as things could easily spiral out of control.

He couldn’t let his aunt’s goodwill be in vain.

Might as well go with the flow and enter the game.

But he wondered about the effectiveness of the knife his aunt had prepared for him...