Mrs Hale, I Surrender
Chapter 350 - 349 gifts, what to do if you like them too much

Chapter 350: 349 gifts, what to do if you like them too much

Sheng Family Mansion

Tim Payne wasn’t too surprised to see Finn Hale because due to the old house renovation, Finn had become a frequent visitor at home, whereas Sussie Lopez was caught off guard and had her hand grabbed by Julia Yates before she could react.

"You saved Zoe, I should have gone to the hospital to see you myself, but alas, my body is really letting me down..." Julia had a serious cold, making her voice very hoarse.

"It’s fine, and I’m even troubled by aunty cooking breakfast for me every day."

"That’s considering me an outsider."

Elder Mrs. and Mr. Payne chatted with her awhile longer before allowing Tim Payne to escort her back to her room.

Finn Hale was already talking with Tim Payne and naturally followed the two.

Zoe Payne had intended to follow them, but after seeing her uncle go, she said she would cook for her lifesaver herself and dived into the kitchen.

Once out of the elders’ sight, Tim inquired, "Today is Christmas, aren’t you off chasing girls instead of coming to my place?"

"It doesn’t interfere."

"You’re quite confident, I would really like to see what kind of girl could catch your eye."

"Don’t worry, when we make it official, I’ll definitely let you know."

"I thought you had a date planned today."

"Work is more important."

Sussie went into ’playing dead’ mode.

Just as they entered the room, Tim’s phone buzzed with a work call, and after answering, he turned to leave, giving Finn a meaningful look, "I need to go to the study, help Sussie tidy up a bit, she’s not handy with her hand."

Finn didn’t respond, his expression seemingly reluctant.

Tim was speechless, "Do me a favor, and I’ll buy you dinner later."

"Alright then."

"..."

Sussie was numb all over.

She really knew how to play the part!

Once Tim was gone, Finn turned and locked the door, prompting a frown from Sussie, "What are you doing?"

"What do you think?"

As Finn spoke, he closed in step by step, which set off alarm bells in Sussie’s heart, even more so than in the hospital. She backed away slowly, bumping into the edge of the bed, and her body wobbled...

She fell backwards onto the bed.

The next second

Finn took a few strides, leaned in close, his hands propped on the edge of the bed, her breath deepened, and as she looked up, he leaned closer and closer, his breath nearly touching her lips.

She’d just been discharged from the hospital, unmade-up, her face colorless, only her lips dabbed with some gloss, moist and...

Very kissable.

"Finn Hale, this is the Sheng household."

"The door is already locked."

"..."

Sussie clenched her teeth; why was it always like this, she would ask one thing, and he would reply with another.

She wasn’t as bold as Finn, her heart beating wildly, while the man in front of her wore a smirk, his breath on her face, and yet he hesitated to kiss her. His breathing slow and hot, each exhale teasing her nerves.

The dread of Tim returning at any moment terrified her.

Just as she was about to push the man in front of her away, Finn suddenly took something out of his pocket.

A necklace appeared before her eyes.

Made of Yellow Jade in the shape of a moon, surrounded by tiny diamonds like scattered stars, it was particularly delicate and beautiful.

"This is..."

"A Christmas gift."

Finn undid the clasp at the back of the necklace, moved behind her, knelt on one knee on the bed, and put it on her. The Yellow Jade, as it touched her neck, had a bit of a chilly feeling.

After putting it on, Finn adjusted her hair, and his fingertips brushed her nape, causing her breath to falter again.

Then,

A warm kiss landed behind her ear.

"Sussie, happy holidays."

Finn slightly tilted his head, his mouth almost pressing against her ear, exhaling warmth. She shrank, trembling lightly, a strange sensation spreading from her feet, her body going limp as if it didn’t belong to her.

His lips started at her ear, brushing down bit by bit...

Sussie wanted to duck away, but her waist tightened, her back pressed against his chest.

"I feel like I’m done for."

His breath burned hot as it lingered on her face, again and again.

Sussie bit her teeth hard.

She didn’t know if he would be finished, but if this went on,

she was certain she would be done for!

"I missed you so much, even though we were together all last night, and we’ve only been apart for a short while."

"Mr. Hale..."

Sussie wanted to push him away, but one of her hands was injured and lacked strength, while the other was still propping her up on the bed.

"How can I like you so much?" Finn laughed softly, "Tell me, why is that..."

His head was lowered, his voice hoarse.

She was done for,

this wasn’t the Finn Hale she knew.

After so many years of not seeing each other, how could he have changed so much?

She wondered if someone had cast a spell on him.

Tim had been gone for only five or six minutes, but when he returned, he found the room unchanged from when he left; the two people had made no effort to tidy up at all.

"Senior brother, why don’t you and Mr. Hale leave first, I can clean up by myself."

Sussie felt that playing a part between these two men would drive her insane sooner or later.

"Call me if you need anything." Since she was a girl—a woman with her privacy—Tim gestured for Finn to leave with him.

Before leaving, Tim cast a glance at his junior sister.

"Why is your face so red?"

"The heating’s too strong, I’m overheated."

"Is that so?"

The house was indeed warmer than outside because of his mother’s health.

Leaving the room, Tim glanced at him, feeling his old rival’s mood seemed quite uplifted.

"How come I feel like you’re in a good mood?"

"Am I?"

"You didn’t take advantage of my absence to bully my junior sister, did you?"

"She’s the lifesaver of my niece and thus a benefactor to our household; how dare I bully her," Finn chuckled low, "If I had dared to do such a thing, not only you, but William wouldn’t let me off."

"That’s for the best."

While speaking, Tim took another look at Finn, "Does your profession hold an annual competition?"

"There’s an annual selection for the best architectural design. It’s unofficial but carries prestige and comes with a hefty prize. Are you interested?"

"The committee invited me."

Due to Finn, the committee did not dare invite Tim before; now that their relations had improved, naturally, they wanted to attempt to bring the two men together on the same stage.

It would certainly be a tale to tell in the industry.

"If you want to go, then go," Finn didn’t mind, and he also needed to build good relations with Tim.

"Will you be there?"

"Maybe, it depends on the timing."

"Do you have any work entered into the competition?"

"I do, but I won’t be participating in the awards."

Finn gained fame young and no longer needed any awards to prove himself.

Not participating in the awards was also a way to give newcomers a chance.

By the time Sussie finished tidying up, it was time to eat. The heating was on, creating a dry heat, and Julia had specially stewed pear soup for her to try.

"Thank you, auntie," Sussie said, taking the pear soup with both hands.

At a glance, Julia noticed a new necklace around her neck.

And she casually asked, "What are you wearing around your neck?"

It was an occupational hazard, being extremely sensitive to jewelry.

In an instant, everyone’s gaze fixated on her neck where the pendant was hidden beneath her sweater with only a bit of the chain peeking out. Even that...

was noticed?

It is said that the Hale Family residence is a dragon’s den, but it seems like the Payne Family was not a place to linger either!