Mrs Hale, I Surrender
Chapter 368 - 367 Happy New Year, liking each other is enough (2 more updates)

Chapter 368: 367 Happy New Year, liking each other is enough (2 more updates)

Sussie Lopez left the private room; the east-west corridor was deserted.

She furrowed her brow; was Finn Hale playing her? Just as she was about to go back, the door of the adjacent room suddenly opened. Immediately, a hand reached out, grabbed her wrist, and pulled her into the darkness...

—

Sussie’s breath tightened the moment the door closed, with only the neon light from the floor-to-ceiling window making the room look extraordinarily enchanting.

Her heartbeat quickened, thumping loudly.

Her heart pounded forcefully, constantly hitting her.

Only when she smelled that familiar scent did she feel slightly relieved. Sussie was pinned against the door by Finn, his hands propping on either side of her body.

He bent down, his breath blowing on her face.

Softly, warmly.

She reached out, trying to push him away, but her hands on his chest were held down by his.

Even through the clothes, it seemed she could feel his heart throbbing.

Her palms began to heat up.

"It’s been three days."

"Hmm?"

"I haven’t seen you in three days." Finn hadn’t visited the Payne Family lately, fearing to encounter Tim Payne.

He wasn’t afraid of Tim Payne, but the guy was in a bad mood, which would definitely affect Sussie’s mood.

He tilted his head slightly, his lips almost pressing against her ear, his breath warm. Her body shrank, slightly trembling, a strange sensation spreading from her feet, making her body feel limp as if it no longer belonged to her.

His lips lightly lingered, beginning at her tender cheeks, rubbing slowly...

"Haven’t seen you in days, did you miss me?" His breath brushed her skin, eliciting palpitations, "Hmm? Did you?"

"No."

Sussie struggled, feeling feverish all over.

"Mr. Hale and Boss Payne are still next door," Sussie frowned.

"The soundproofing is very good here."

"..."

Was that what she was talking about?

At this moment, Finn stepped back two steps and turned on the light, "Has Tim Payne been troubling you lately?"

"No."

Just because he was only her senior, he couldn’t meddle too much in her affairs, and that’s why Tim Payne was frustrated.

The key thing was that the teacher later called him to verify the truth.

The old man was very pleased.

He even said that he and Finn Hale were destined to become relatives and advised him not to dwell on the past.

Actually, the issues between him and Finn Hale were things from their childhood, and if there were any deep-seated hatreds, there really weren’t.

"Junior President Payne is a decent person; he wouldn’t likely trouble a young girl."

Due to the excessive quietness of this private room, the intermittent sound from downstairs reached them. Sussie cleared her throat and walked to the window. Below was a large square, now filled with many people, all waiting for the New Year countdown, a big screen displaying the countdown to 2024.

The square was bustling with noise and exceptionally lively.

As the New Year approached, more and more people gathered there.

The anticipation for the New Year seemed to block any wind or snow.

"Want to go down and join the fun? If we go now, we should make it in time," Finn walked over to her.

"No, it’s too crowded with so many people."

From here, it was a sea of people.

"There’s something about Declan Saunders, I owe you an explanation..." Finn began sharing the details simply with her, and Sussie felt indignant listening.

Actually, on the third day after the incident, she had seen Declan Saunders.

The incident had gotten too big; he lost his job, was banned from the entire industry, and was facing a huge claim from Finn Hale. He said he fell down the stairs, leading to severe injuries and hospitalization, and his parents specially came from their hometown, causing a commotion at the studio for a whole morning.

They said he ended up like this all because of the studio, demanding compensation.

Later, Declan Saunders came from the hospital especially.

He said, "I plagiarized, tried to win awards, all to be worthy of you!"

"If I keep being like this, you will never take me seriously. What you see, if not someone talented like Finn Hale, then someone rich like Michale Shaw, what am I?"

"I did all this for you!"

"Do you actually believe that noblemen like Finn Hale and Michale Shaw would truly like you? They are just in it for the novelty, toying with you. Once they catch you, and the novelty wears off, they will kick you to the curb!"

"You and I are the perfect match!"

...

Sussie Lopez found this amusing.

They liked her? They cared for her, so they pushed her out to take the bullet?

She could not bear this kind of love.

In the end, when the police arrived, the Saunders family finally calmed down. Reflecting on it, Sussie still thought Declan was psychologically twisted; clearly unable to resist temptations, yet he insisted on using her as an excuse.

"What are you spacing out for? It’s countdown time," Finn Hale gently reminded her.

Sussie looked up towards the window, and on the main screen, the countdown had already begun, with the crowd shouting along, "8, 7..."

She had originally been indifferent to the New Year activities, but perhaps influenced by the atmosphere, she couldn’t help but form a smile and silently joined in, "5, 4..."

As the countdown of 321 ended, all the neon lights on the surrounding buildings turned red.

A loud cheer erupted from the crowd.

Everyone was shouting, "Happy New Year!"

Sussie took out her phone, intending to take some photos, when suddenly Finn Hale turned his head and lightly brushed her cheek.

His lips felt as though they were on fire, so hot it seemed they could melt her face, gentle and soft.

They lingered on her cheek, the heat slowly seeping into her heart...

The fire ravaged her, burning all the way to the bottom of her heart.

"Sussie, Happy New Year."

Sussie pursed her lips, then heard him say, "I hope I have the chance to step into many New Years with you."

"Would you... give me that chance?"

His voice was very low, chafing softly.

Little by little, bewitching her.

His gaze followed her, staring intensely as if his dark eyes were an abyss pulling her in. Before she had the chance to respond, Finn had already leaned in and kissed her.

Unlike the usual kisses, this one was fierce.

Nibbling and biting.

His breath by her ear was deep and ragged, making her heart tremble with each sound.

Below, the crowd was releasing balloons, and in the corner of Sussie’s eye, dazzled by colorful balloons, the one kissing her grew even more audacious.

Thinking that the neighbors were all acquaintances made Sussie nervous and panicky.

This kiss,

Wet and confusing,

Was simply overwhelming.

When the kiss ended, she felt as though all her strength had been drained, and his hot breath on her face made her heart flutter.

"Mr. Hale..."

The two were so close, their body heat mingling, their breaths intertwining, causing her heart to flutter.

"Hmm?" Finn responded, his lips against her forehead warming her skin.

"Do you think I deserve you?"

At those words, he just smiled, "In love, there’s no such thing as deserving or not, just liking or not liking. One thing I am sure of is..."

"I like you, and you like me."

"That’s enough."

In that moment, it felt as if countless fireworks were bursting in her heart, making the entire world dazzlingly beautiful.

—

Meanwhile, next door

As the stroke of midnight sounded, those with partners hugged them, those with friends raised a toast in celebration, only Tim Payne stood alone, out of place amidst the lively New Year’s atmosphere.

Although he had drunk quite a bit, he wasn’t blackout drunk.

Looking around the entire private room, he furrowed his brow:

Junior Sister,

Where did you run off to again!