Mrs Hale, I Surrender
Chapter 312 - 311 Recognition Banquet, should call Zoe Payne now

Chapter 312: 311 Recognition Banquet, should call Zoe Payne now

In the banquet hall

The light refracted from the crystal chandelier was dazzling. Surrounded by the Payne Family Members, Zoe Bell slowly stepped onto the stage, radiant and celebrated by all, at that moment...

She seemed to possess all the beauty in the world.

"Isn’t Zoe Bell an orphan?" questions buzzed from below the stage.

"They say she got lost in an accident when she was little, it’s really not easy to have found her again."

"She’s quite the poor child. Had she never gotten lost and always lived with the Payne family, she would surely have been treated like a little princess and never would have suffered that injustice."

"No wonder Junior President Payne treated her differently from the start, did he recognize her early on?"

"Perhaps it’s a sibling telepathy."

...

Everyone tacitly agreed, not mentioning a word about Iva Payne’s incident.

It was heard she had a car accident and had already been sent to the hospital. Celine Payne, who deliberately caused the accident, was now in custody. Since the divorce had not been finalized, Jovan Gonzalez had rushed to the hospital to sign for the surgery.

In just a few hours, the Payne family’s situation had completely changed!

Mr. Payne took the microphone, giving a speech, "My apologies for the delay as I attended to some matters and kept everyone waiting. Thank you all for coming to the Payne Family’s family reunion banquet. I’d like to take this opportunity to introduce my long-lost granddaughter."

He smiled, beckoning Zoe Bell to stand beside him.

"This is my granddaughter, Zoe Bell."

"I hope everyone will look after her in the future."

Everyone exchanged glances.

This was Mrs. Hale, someone who commanded respect throughout Capital City; who would dare disrespect her?

Someone joked, "Shouldn’t Mrs. Hale change her name to Zoe Payne now?"

Mr. Payne continued, stating he would transfer half of his stock shares to Zoe Bell, and the other half to Tim Payne.

"Taking this opportunity, I’d also like to announce that Payne Corps will gradually be handed over to my grandson for management. I hope everyone, in consideration of my face, will look after each other when we meet in the business arena."

People were astonished:

Was this a transfer of power?

"Grandfather?" Tim Payne, not previously informed, was surprised.

"Don’t worry, your father and uncle will help you. I am old now, and now that Zoe is back home, it’s time I retired to enjoy my days."

The elder patted his shoulder, then turned to Zoe Bell:

"From now on..."

"It will be your young people’s world."

Emotionally hurt by his daughter, the elder’s face may not have shown it, but his heart was bitter.

He now just wanted to enjoy the happiness of family around him.

The Hale family stood below the stage. Wyatt Hale was the happiest, being more and more impressed with his sister-in-law’s increasing influence.

He really had an eye for things!

Logan Hale was speechless, "Anyone unaware would think it’s your family reunion."

"Aren’t you happy for your sister-in-law?"

"I..."

"You have no heart, cousin."

At this, William Hale glanced at Logan Hale.

As a fanatical fan of Logan, he instantly got angry, raised his foot to kick Wyatt Hale, causing Old Sir Hale to frown tightly, "You’re all grown-ups! Stop this nonsense; what an embarrassment to your sister-in-law!"

The two instantly quieted down.

Old Sir Hale looked around but did not see his disobedient son, "Where is that boy Finn?"

"He said he needed to change his outfit," William simply stated.

Finn Hale had just cooperated with Tim Payne in a staged scene; he needed to tidy up again before reappearing.

"I thought that boy had run off."

While searching for his son, Old Sir Hale glanced around the banquet hall at all the pretty young ladies; how could his son not get it?

Michale Shaw was shameless, already starting to deceive people into investing under Zoe Bell’s name, claiming Isaac Shea as his brother-in-law and Zoe Bell as his sister-in-law, swaggering about as if he was invincible.

Even Hannah Johnson was speechless, "Michale Shaw, have some shame!"

Suddenly, Michale Shaw moved closer to her, inspecting her from head to toe.

Isaac Shea’s face darkened.

He was staring at his own wife!

"Sis..."

"Is my makeup smudged?"

"You’ve gained weight."

"Get lost!"

Hannah Johnson didn’t feel fat, she pinched the soft flesh on her waist, it seemed like she really had gained weight.

She needed to diet.

Elsewhere, after the speeches ended, under the lead of Elder Mrs. and Mr. Payne, Zoe Bell met some of the Payne Family relatives.

Everyone she met said, "Congratulations."

And then complimented her beauty.

This was her first public event at Hot Spring Villa, and some people had disdainfully refused to speak with her, thinking she had risen through physical means. They called her Mrs. Hale outwardly, but their eyes showed scorn.

Now, however, they fawned over her, accustomed to bowing to the high and trampling the low.

Julia Yates worried about her daughter’s legs not having fully recovered, so after meeting close friends and family, she let her rest.

Zoe Bell wanted to find Wyatt Hale, couldn’t locate him, but in the corner of her vision, she saw someone resting in the most secluded corner.

That spot was remote and no one approached.

Except for a young man who came up to chat her up.

Her expression seemed a bit troubled.

Zoe Bell approached and overheard their conversation.

"... After the banquet, might I have the honor of taking you home?"

"Sorry, I have a boyfriend who will come to pick me up."

The young man was stunned for a few seconds.

"My apologies!"

Zoe Bell was stunned:

She had a boyfriend?

It wasn’t surprising, such a beautiful and elegant young woman, it was unlikely no one pursued her.

He hung his head and left, and that young woman only then noticed Zoe Bell nearby, and politely nodded, "Should I start calling you Boss Payne now?"

Zoe Bell smiled. She had arranged with her mother to go to the civil affairs department the next day.

Because in the Payne Family registry, due to an "accidental death", her account had already been canceled.

In the household registration system, she...

was a "dead person"!

If she wanted to use the identity of Zoe Payne, she still needed to handle some procedural matters.

"Why are you sitting here alone?"

"No acquaintances, and I don’t feel like socializing." She smiled while looking at the necklace on Zoe Bell’s neck, "It’s really beautiful."

"Thank you."

"You’re into interior design, could you show me some of the designs you’ve done?"

"Are you offering me a job?"

As job opportunities came to her unsolicited, the young woman was naturally pleased. She took out her phone, showed some photos, "If you need anything in this area, feel free to contact me."

Zoe Bell smiled and nodded. Out of the corner of her eye, she spotted Wyatt Hale’s figure, and she waved at him smiling, "My husband has arrived."

Wyatt Hale was actually there to find his uncle.

Old Sir Hale was worried he might run off.

Today was a big day for the Payne Family; given the special relationship between the two families, they couldn’t afford for him to leave midway.

Finn Hale hadn’t left, he just preferred to avoid mingling with people he didn’t know well and had hidden away for some peace. Now, he was reluctantly brought over by his overenthusiastic nephew.

Entering the banquet hall, Wyatt Hale immediately saw his wife and walked over to her.

Finn Hale, of course, also saw his niece-in-law.

After all, she was the only one at the event wearing a new Chinese-style dress.

He hadn’t planned on going over, his gaze lightly swept over Zoe Bell, but then he saw the person she was chatting with...

And he suddenly stood frozen in place.