Mrs Hale, I Surrender
Chapter 380 - 379 Welcoming the Bride: His Wife, the Most Beautiful (2nd Update)

Chapter 380: 379 Welcoming the Bride: His Wife, the Most Beautiful (2nd Update)

"Hale, what’s going on here? I feel like I’m about to lose my life over this," Michale Shaw, who loved to join in the fun and had been a groomsman for his relatives before, knew that the usual practice at the door was to ask for red envelopes or cigarettes; once you gave enough, you were let in.

What’s the Payne Family trying to do?

Are they after people’s lives?

"Here we are." Martin Yates smiled at William Hale, "Three chances – choose one piece of stone, and as long as jade is revealed, I’ll let you in."

Holy moly,

It’s gambling on jade!

William Hale wasn’t well-versed in this; he only knew that even gods can’t predict jade outcome, it’s either wealth or ruin with every cut; if it were that easy to guess, no one would be bankrupted over it.

He glanced at the dozen or so stones, seeing no difference between them.

His only choice was to look to his groomsmen for advice.

None seemed to have any idea where to start.

"Uncle Finn? You’re somewhat an expert, which one do you think we should choose?"

Finn Hale shook his head, "Why don’t you take a guess?"

Guess?

There are only three chances; what if they’re wrong.

"Better hurry up, don’t miss the auspicious time," Martin Yates said with a smile on his lips.

"Uncle Yates, what if all three attempts fail?" Michale Shaw asked.

"Then you guys might as well go back home," Martin Yates replied bluntly.

William Hale frowned.

But in the meantime, Tim Payne, standing behind Martin Yates, gave him a look:

Just choose any.

All these stones had been meticulously selected by Martin Yates, and every single piece contained something; this was his gift to Zoe Payne. As long as the raw stone was well-crafted, any jewelry could be made out of it.

Bringing them out for William Hale to choose was just to scare him.

It was improbable that they’d actually send him packing.

Detecting a traitor, Martin Yates turned his head and glared at his nephew, "Are you taking their side?"

"Mom is already rushing us inside, if you delay any more, she might come out to settle the score with you," Tim said.

Martin Yates huffed and said no more.

William Hale randomly selected one, and upon cutting, indeed, jade was inside.

Having passed this challenge, a bribe of red envelopes easily smoothed the way past the female elders and children, leading them straight to the door of the bridal chamber.

To get inside, William Hale had stuffed quite a bit of money through the door gap, largely demanded by Hannah Johnson.

The other bridesmaids felt uneasy about making things difficult, but Hannah had no such reservations.

After all, with her pregnancy, standing by the door, they didn’t dare to barge in.

"Sis, that should be about enough, shouldn’t it? Hale is your close cousin," Michale Shaw frowned.

"Today, even if he’s my brother, he has to hand over red envelopes quickly."

Michale Shaw was almost ready to turn his pockets inside out for her.

"Really, there’s nothing left."

"Then go on in."

William Hale walked in front, and immediately saw Zoe Payne sitting on the bed, dressed in a dragon-phoenix gown, the phoenix hairpin swinging at the sides of her head, and in her hands, she held a silk fan wrapped with embroidered flowers, half-covering her face, revealing those lychee eyes with laughter in them, watery and affectionate, causing him to stop in his tracks for a few seconds.

"Seems like the bride is too beautiful, and the groom is stunned, why is he standing still?" the surrounding crowd teased.

When Zoe had her makeup trial, Julia Yates accompanied her, so this was the first time William Hale saw her in full bridal make-up.

Faced with the teasing, he just smiled: "My wife..."

"Is naturally the most beautiful person in the world."

Hearing this, all his friends thought they were going to get goosebumps all over.

It was horrifying!

To think if you live long enough, you’re bound to witness anything.

Hale would actually speak sweet nothings.

To successfully take Zoe Payne away, a little bridal game was inevitable. No one dared to make things difficult for William Hale, and once the game was over and the wedding shoes were found, William Hale personally helped her put them on.

"Zoe, you look beautiful today."

William said, tilting his head and kissing her cheek, causing everyone to be astonished.

No one allowed him to kiss her, what’s he doing!

---

After the lively bridal pickup was over, it was time to serve tea to the elders.

Elder Mrs. and Mr. Payne along with the couple Mario Payne were all seated, with the two taking turns serving tea.

Mario Payne had been in low spirits these past few days.

Not until he tasted the hot tea brought by his daughter did he feel a wave of emotion, his eyes inadvertently reddening, "Good child..."

Registering the marriage is one thing, but personally sending off your daughter is another state of mind. Julia Yates looked at her husband, "Tonight, you’ll have to hold your daughter’s hand and personally hand her over to William. With the way you are now, I’m worried you’ll faint from crying on stage."

Mario Payne snorted, "That definitely won’t happen."

After leaving the house for the Hale Family’s, Zoe rested a bit before heading straight to the hotel to change makeup and clothes in preparation for the evening wedding.

**

Wedding Hotel

Zoe Payne was in the backstage changing and had something to eat to fill her stomach. During this time, quite a few relatives and friends came to give their blessings, and the gifts filled the entire rest room.

It was also at this moment that she saw Lucas Bell.

"Sis, happy marriage."

Lucas Bell had returned to the country on Christmas Eve. He just had been busy handling the mess left by Kevin Bell and hadn’t had the chance to come to the Capital City.

"When did you get here? Why didn’t you tell me in advance?"

"I arrived last night."

"I was too busy today, really didn’t have any time to look after you."

"No problem, Wyatt has been with me."

Wyatt Hale’s task today was to take good care of Lucas Bell.

"By the way..." Lucas coughed, "today, Brandon Stone is also here."

Brandon Stone?

That name was long unheard of.

Zoe Payne thought back to the time when she had been engaged to him. Since he found out about her relationship with William Hale, it seemed like she hadn’t seen him again. Now that she thought about it, the events of the past six months felt like a dream.

Brandon Stone was speechless.

Their families had business dealings with William Hale, so naturally, their marriage also received an invitation.

He didn’t want to go.

He could just hide at home and play dead.

Because as long as Zoe Payne and William Hale made any noise or there was any news, he, the ex-fiancé, would be dragged into the limelight.

People would say he was blind and heartless for not holding onto Zoe Payne.

Others would call him a scumbag of the highest order,

a trampy mess!

He had already mended his ways, what more did they want from him?

He even pretended to be sick to avoid the wedding, but his father said straight out: "As long as you’re still breathing, you must attend. Or is it that after all this time, you still can’t let go of her?"

Brandon Stone was about to lose his mind.

It wasn’t that he couldn’t let go; he just didn’t want to be subjected to public scorn.

Moreover, his status was too awkward. Still, upon seeing William Hale again today, the usually stern Mr. Hale was exceptionally polite. Upon taking his seat, he played dead, but his father still insisted on him socializing.

Brandon Stone wished he could just knock himself out!

Today, nearly all of the prominent figures within Capital City were present. There were many acquaintances, and before the wedding began, they all gathered together to chat and laugh.

But as a few entered the wedding venue, the atmosphere suddenly shifted subtly.

"What’s going on?" Sussie Lopez sat next to Hannah Johnson, originally looking down at her phone but feeling the change in the mood.

"The Jones are here," Hannah Johnson said, eating sour apricots.

Sussie Lopez followed everyone’s gaze, and at first glance, she noticed a very beautiful girl.