Mrs Hale, I Surrender
Chapter 313 - 312 Uncle suddenly enthusiastic? She already has a boyfriend (2 updates)

Chapter 313: 312 Uncle suddenly enthusiastic? She already has a boyfriend (2 updates)

They didn’t know what they were talking about, but they laughed brightly.

Their eyes shone like autumn water, perfectly picturesque.

She wore a very simple light-colored evening dress, exceptionally understated.

Yet it couldn’t hide the naturally beautiful color on her face.

The hand that Finn Hale rested at his side involuntarily tightened. At that moment, she turned her head, and when their gazes collided, she froze in place, as if her heart had been instantly captured.

He was wearing a casual suit with restrained eyes and brows.

Standing alone, he exuded a sense of refinement that flowed without being ostentatious.

The light falling on him seemed to cloak him in frost and snow, giving him an air of a cold, celestial being.

His figure suddenly entered her field of vision, startling her into an ashen complexion.

"Boss Payne, I have other matters to attend to, I’m leaving!" she said. She put down her wine glass, picked up her skirt, and practically ran.

"Hmm?"

Zoe Bell was stunned.

They were having a good conversation, why did she run off?

She had planned to introduce her young uncle to her, as they both studied design and should have shared interests.

Although they had met only a few times, Joy Watson had left an impression on Zoe as someone serene and poised, dignified and elegant. But now she was running away as if she had done something wrong.

Wasn’t it said that Finn Hale wouldn’t be coming tonight?

Did he just pop out of a crack in the wall?

The next second,

William Hale saw his usually calm and composed young uncle chase after her.

He raised an eyebrow:

Interesting!

The banquet hall was large enough for over a hundred guests and had many entrances. With the distance between them and Joy’s swift departure, Wyatt Hale lost sight of her as soon as he chased in the direction she had gone.

Again, she ran!

Wyatt Hale’s mobile phone vibrated—a call from his father—so he had to turn back.

Well, he had confirmed she was back in town.

That person...

she couldn’t escape.

Sometimes people are blinded by the obvious, always looking far off and neglecting what’s close at hand.

After searching for so long, she was actually right under his nose.

Even attending the Payne Family’s event.

"Where have you been? Hurry up and come for the photo." The old man glanced at his son, out of breath, wondering what he had been up to.

The Payne Family and the Hale Family were preparing for a group photo, a rare occasion when everyone was present.

"Looks like you didn’t catch up," William Hale noted, looking at his young uncle. "What’s your relationship with that girl?"

"It’s an elder’s matter, stay out of it."

"She seems quite familiar with Zoe, you sure you don’t want me involved?"

"..."

Wyatt Hale, generally a man of few desires and focused on design, where he had competed with Tim Payne, was rarely fazed by anything. Now, looking at his dear nephew, his gaze...

was like he wanted to carve a hole in him.

After the group photo, Zoe Bell left the banquet hall to grab something to eat, with William naturally following.

Wyatt Hale thickened his face and followed.

After all, he intended to cling to his sister-in-law’s coattails and be at her beck and call.

But he was surprised that his young uncle had come along as well.

The uncle usually had no interest in attending banquets; the fact that he hadn’t run off midway this time was unusual enough, let alone joining them for a meal.

After some small talk, William nonchalantly asked, "Who were you just talking to?"

"A client from my store. I met her this afternoon when I came over. Isn’t she exceptionally pretty?"

"I didn’t take a close look."

"..."

This response brought a smile to Zoe Bell.

He had just glanced briefly, indeed not taking a close look. With Zoe there, naturally, no one else could catch his eye.

"Sister-in-law, is it the exceptionally beautiful lady I saw once in your store?" Wyatt Hale quickly asked.

Zoe nodded.

"Sister?" Finn Hale raised an eyebrow.

"What else should I call her? I can’t exactly call her ’auntie’," Wyatt muttered. Though he didn’t know the details, his intuition told him that his uncle was behaving unusually today.

"Are you quite familiar with her?" William persisted.

"Pretty much, I think she’s a nice person. Right, she and my uncle have some connection."

Finn Hale remained impassive, simply stating, "Did she say she knows me?"

"No."

"..."

Finn Hale’s face darkened, and William Hale almost laughed out loud.

You rushed out anxiously, and yet, she didn’t even mention you.

This matter...

Could it be that Wyatt’s uncle is being overzealous?

Wyatt Hale was curious, "What fate does she share with my uncle?"

"She also does design work," Zoe Bell shrugged. "I originally wanted to introduce her to my uncle, but unfortunately, she left in a hurry."

William Hale glanced at his own uncle with a gaze that was meaningful.

"Indeed, there is fate."

Zoe Bell frowned.

Why did she feel that Mr. Hale’s tone...

was somewhat sarcastic?

"By the way, I only found out tonight that she has a boyfriend," Zoe said unintentionally, but William Hale visibly noticed his own uncle’s face darkened.

——

After the party ended, Zoe Bell was taken away by the Payne Family, and Julia Yates could finally hold her daughter’s hand publicly without wanting to let go, so William Hale couldn’t intervene, no matter how reluctant he was.

"If you miss Zoe that much, you can also move in with us for a few days," the Old Lady said to William Hale, very pleased.

But Mr. Payne was tough-mouthed.

He scrutinized William Hale, seemingly having many criticisms about him.

Originally, after finding his granddaughter, they should have been together as a family, and it would have been better to spend more time together, but unfortunately, since she was married, even if William Hale didn’t say anything, they couldn’t always monopolize their granddaughter.

This kid...

was quite quick on the uptake.

The fact that Zoe Bell was the Payne Family daughter stirred up much discussion in the circle. After the family recognition party, she stayed in the Sheng Family Mansion and barely went out.

With Joy Watson taking care of the business at the store, she was very reassured.

The old master checked all the collectibles at home.

He found more than ten counterfeits, which infuriated him half to death, but fortunately, some items were only switched by Iva Payne and hadn’t yet been sold to others.

Celine Payne was detained by the law because of intentionally causing an accident with malicious intent.

As for Iva Payne...

High-level paraplegia, she was sent to the hospital and had an amputation on the night of her arrival.

Ironically, she managed to survive.

The first thing she did after waking up was to be summoned for investigation by the police. Although the interrogation took place in the hospital room, it was enough to shatter all the pride of the proud-hearted Iva Payne.

The Elder Mrs. and Mr. Payne and Mario Payne went to visit her.

"Are you satisfied to see me like this?" Iva Payne, looking at her empty legs, wished she could die.

"Why don’t you repent even now?"

After all, she was his sister, and seeing her like this, Mario Payne felt both indignation and anger at her unyielding attitude.

"Where is Julia Yates? Why didn’t she come? I’ve become like this; she should be very happy, right? She should come to see me made a fool of. Why didn’t she come!"

Mario Payne didn’t say anything but just handed her a food container, "This is the meal she made for you."

"She said..."

"’I will never see you again in this lifetime.’"

"I don’t need it!" Iva Payne raised her hand and knocked the food container to the ground, scattering the food inside.

It was braised beef brisket and stir-fried shrimp—dishes that Iva Payne had cooked herself for her sister-in-law the first time Julia Yates entered the Payne household as Mario’s girlfriend.

She...

actually remembered!

Iva Payne was suddenly reminded of the time when their relationship was still good.

As the only daughter, Iva always felt lonely at home, and with Julia’s arrival, she not only gained a sister-in-law but also a best friend. She didn’t know when everything had changed.

"Do as you see fit." The Old Lady gave her a deep look and turned to leave.

Only after the footsteps in the corridor had faded did Iva Payne burst into loud sobs.

**

Recently, Tim Payne was busy taking over the company’s affairs. Although Iva Payne was not around, she had some loyal subordinates who needed to be cleared out, and he was swamped with work, while Julia Yates spent most of her time in the room working on designs.

Zoe Bell, having nothing to do, was basking in the sun in the yard.

Unexpectedly, Finn Hale arrived.

"Uncle? What brings you here?"

"Inspection."

The renovation work on the Sheng Family Mansion was expected to be completed before the new year, with a tight schedule that couldn’t afford any mistakes, so he often came by.

"I’m free, I might as well join you." The Sheng Family Mansion was so large that Zoe Bell had not yet fully explored it.

Finn Hale nodded in agreement.

During the inspection, Zoe Bell caught sight of the burning Incense Stick in a corner, and it suddenly came to her mind that she should send some samples to that girl, but with her current situation of being unable to go out and not knowing how many eyes were watching her outside.

The day after the family recognition party ended, quite a few people came to visit.

It was just the right time since the Sheng Family Mansion was being renovated, so she used the excuse of the house being dirty and messy, unfit to receive guests, and turned them all away.

She glanced at Finn Hale...

Maybe she should trouble her uncle to make a trip for her?

Zoe Bell frowned, but her uncle was somewhat difficult to deal with, and she feared he might not agree.

Moreover, since the recognition party, her uncle’s mood...

seemed not too good.

His look, as if he could devour someone!