Mrs Hale, I Surrender
Chapter 355 - 354 Unworthy of Love, Becoming His Burden (2 more updates)

Chapter 355: 354 Unworthy of Love, Becoming His Burden (2 more updates)

Tim Payne frowned, "What’s the deal with Michale Shaw? When did he start fancying Sussie?"

Finn Hale remained silent.

Meanwhile, Michale Shaw was holding roses, smiling as if he were basked in the spring breeze, but what Sussie Lopez said next was like a cold bucket of water dumped over him, "Thanks for your kindness, but I’m really sorry, I can’t accept these flowers."

"Why? Aren’t you single?"

"Because I don’t like you."

"..."

Michale Shaw was stunned.

"How can you know you don’t like me when you don’t even know me?"

"Because you’re simply not my type."

"What type do you like?"

"Talented ones."

That comment took Michale Shaw aback.

Talented?

Why did he feel like Miss Lopez was indirectly calling him dumb?

"Maybe if we spend more time together, you’ll find out I’m not bad," Michale Shaw persisted, following the example of Isaac Shea’s relentless pursuit.

"I think people’s preferences, just like their taste in aesthetics, are hard to change."

Why the turn to aesthetics?

Did she think he has poor taste?

"I’m not joking, you can seriously think about it. Let’s get to know each other a bit, and if you really don’t like me, then we can just be friends."

Michale Shaw was rather forthright, or else he wouldn’t have chased after Hannah Johnson and failed, yet still become friends with William Hale.

Love couldn’t be forced.

Sussie Lopez frowned, "Actually, there’s no need to get more familiar. I really don’t feel anything for you, and besides, I’ve already promised something to someone else, so it’s impossible for me to accept you."

"So..."

"I’m heartbroken."

Sussie Lopez pursed her lips, "We’ve never been involved, it doesn’t count as heartbreak."

"Miss Lopez, that’s hurtful."

"I just don’t want you to waste your time on me."

"Just take these flowers then, or else I’ll have to throw them in the trash." Michale Shaw stuffed the flowers into her arms, turned to pick up a gift, his face sullen like a bereft pup.

This spectacle made Tim Payne chuckle from a distance, "Looks like the kid has hit a wall."

"You don’t like Michale Shaw?" Finn Hale asked emotionlessly.

"Just doesn’t feel right."

"Then who do you think suits her?"

Tim Payne glanced at Finn Hale, unwilling to discuss his sister’s personal matters, "You sure are nosy."

"Just curious. If she really liked Michale Shaw, what would you do?"

"Wish them well."

"Is that it?"

"I’m just her senior fellow, who she likes, who she wants to be with, I can only offer some advice and not make decisions for her, after all, it’s her and someone else’s life from here on."

Tim Payne smiled, "But if someone bullies her in the future, as her senior fellow, I can still stand up for her."

Finn Hale was inwardly surprised, his eyes slightly arching, "You won’t interfere?"

"They’re all adults, why would I interfere?"

Besides,

his own love life was still a blank slate; how could he have any right to manage his sister’s matters.

"Besides, you were talking about pursuing a girl before, how’s that going? I’m still waiting to treat you two to a meal," Tim teased.

"It should... be soon."

Sussie Lopez hadn’t noticed her senior fellow and Finn Hale, and went back to her bedroom with the flowers. Michale Shaw, meanwhile, hung his head as he went to meet Elder Mrs. and Mr. Payne, causing Mr. Payne to chuckle lightly, "What’s wrong, young Michale?"

"Grandpa Payne, do you think I’m that bad?"

"Not at all."

"Then why don’t the girls I like, love me back?" With Hannah Johnson before and Sussie Lopez now, Michale Shaw began to doubt his life.

He had thought there was at least a chance.

But right after giving a bouquet, he was directly rejected.

He truly was...

Such a pitiful guy.

"Eat a meal before you leave." The Elder Mrs. and Mr. Payne were enthusiastic, so Michale Shaw could only agree. He even sent a message in the group chat, telling everyone: "[@everyone, the young master has been heartbroken, feeling down, who’s up for a drink tonight.]"

Next, William Hale sent a red envelope.

After everyone in the group grabbed the red envelope, they didn’t forget to thank the boss.

Michale Shaw was furious. "[Old Sir Hale, what do you mean? I’ve had a breakup and you send a red envelope?]"

"[Verbal comfort is too scarce, financial comfort is truly substantial.]"

"[...]"

That seemed to make some sense, too.

Only a fool wouldn’t grab a red envelope.

——

After Sussie Lopez returned to her room and handled some work on her computer, she wanted to draw, but her injured right hand just wasn’t cooperating. Just as she was getting a headache, someone knocked on the door.

"Who is it?"

"Me."

It was Finn Hale.

Sussie Lopez’s breath hitched. He was really bold.

This was the Payne Family’s house, broad daylight, and he was knocking on her door; if her senior brother saw, it’d be over. She hurriedly opened the door and dragged Finn Hale in, "What are you doing here?"

"Looking for you."

"You’re really bold."

"Are you drawing?" Finn Hale abruptly changed the subject. "Can your hand manage? Need help?"

Sussie Lopez gritted her teeth. Free help from such a pro shouldn’t be wasted.

Finn Hale knew very well what he wanted, no need for extra chatter. As he drew, his gaze fleetingly checked the roses by the window, and Sussie Lopez noticed his gaze and instinctively explained, "Those were from Michale Shaw."

"Is that so?"

Finn Hale’s tone was light, his thoughts unreadable.

Sussie Lopez’s attention stayed on the design, pointing out, "Design a small ventilation window here..."

"I heard that on Christmas night, you told them that you had a crush on your own teacher?"

Sussie Lopez froze breathlessly.

The next second,

her wrist was grasped as Finn Hale looked up at her, his eyes filled with amusement, "Sussie, who did you have a crush on?"

"..."

That was utterly asking the obvious!

As Finn Hale helped with the design, he received a call from his assistant asking if he would attend the upcoming annual best design competition. He usually skipped it, the assistant was just asking as a routine.

"When is it?"

"Three nights from now."

"If there’s nothing else, then I’ll go."

Since Tim Payne was likely attending, Finn Hale aimed to get on good terms with him recently.

Hearing this, the assistant was a bit startled. "Then I’ll contact the organizers."

Sussie Lopez’s gaze flickered as she asked seemingly casually, "After all these years, you haven’t changed your assistant?"

"He’s competent, and I’m used to him, never thought about changing."

"Always being your assistant, I thought with his skills, he could be an independent designer."

"Personal choice, I guess."

Sussie Lopez nodded.

Some phrases flashed through her mind:

"You don’t deserve it!"

"If Mr. Hale discovers your real identity, how do you think he’d handle you? Don’t assume, just because he’s a bit special towards you, that you are very important. He despises office romances the most. You might want to check out what happened to those who have confessed to him in the past."

"A person like you could only be a burden to Mr. Hale."

...

"What are you daydreaming about?" Finn Hale tapped her head lightly. "You look a bit off."

"The wound on my arm is a bit itchy, uncomfortable."

"Let me see."

"No need, it’s just a normal part of the healing process."

Finn Hale fell silent, but Sussie Lopez’s mood was clearly off.

He had a keen sense...

Could the problem be with his assistant?