Mrs Hale, I Surrender
Chapter 411 - 410 Jerk Regrets, Wants to Come Back? (2 more updates)

Chapter 411: 410 Jerk Regrets, Wants to Come Back? (2 more updates)

To prevent Mother from knowing, it was the sister who met with trouble that night.

A lie, in turn, requires countless lies to sustain.

"I can sense her attitude toward you... it doesn’t quite seem like that of a lifesaver," Julia Yates remarking sharply as she observed her son, "The way she looks at you, very indifferent."

"What should the expression toward a lifesaver look like?"

"At least one of excitement and gratitude."

"She was working."

Julia could only chuckle and reflect, "This girl seemed nice, both her appearance and personality comfortable, how did she get cheated on?"

"Perhaps that Jeans boy is blind."

"I heard she was really fond of that Jeans lad, but then to be betrayed like that at the engagement party, she must be devastated, surely crying in private a lot, such a pitiful child."

Tim Payne smirked bitterly.

In private, she probably couldn’t hide her glee.

"What is that look on your face!" Seeing her son’s expression, Julia had a hint of disdain.

"What’s wrong with me?"

"That poor girl is miserable enough, can’t you have a bit of empathy? No wonder you’re still single."

"..."

Tim Payne was indeed at a loss for words.

All he could do was sigh; Cressida Jones had played her part too well.

Initially, many found the happenings at the engagement party strange, but since Marigold Jones decided to fatally harm her own reputation, proposing such malevolent intentions, it was easy for her to frame someone using a video as leverage.

All blame then rested on her.

And Cressida Jones was seen as the purest, innocent flower.

Perhaps only Tim Payne knew:

She was extremely cunning.

Feeling pity for her struggles and with the New Year approaching, Julia decided to pay her a bit more, Cressida was hesitant to accept but couldn’t refuse the offer graciously. She even specifically warned Julia about certain flowers to avoid during pregnancy.

As she was about to leave, Tim was standing in the courtyard; she greeted him.

"Is Junior President Payne free lately?"

"Is there a matter?"

"I promised I’d treat you to a meal, I’m quite flexible with time," Cressida Jones didn’t want to owe anyone, "It depends on your schedule."

"The company is not busy lately." Tim Payne didn’t directly answer her question.

The implication was:

He was quite free lately.

Recently Payne Corps was merely shipping and taking orders, almost all the factories were on vacation, so Tim had not much to do.

Cressida Jones nodded, "How about... tonight?"

"That’s possible."

"Let’s get in touch later then."

After Cressida Jones left, Tim Payne was about to enter the house when he turned and saw his mother standing under a lychee tree not far away, looking at him with a half-smiling gaze.

"What were you talking about for so long?" Julia was curious.

"She said she appreciated my help, and wanted to invite me to dinner."

"You didn’t refuse, did you?"

"..."

Before Tim could respond, Julia shook her head continuously, "No wonder you can’t find a girlfriend to this day, you really should learn more about social interactions from Finn Hale, that’s a real gap in your upbringing that I overlooked."

Julia deduced from her son’s usual behavior that he might have declined Cressida Jones’s invitation.

Tim was speechless.

How could even this be linked to Finn Hale.

Though Finn had been a bit unreasonable, using house refurbishment as an excuse to chase after his junior, visiting his home daily. Now that he succeeded, he hadn’t even seen him once.

He could only lament:

Human hearts—

Are indeed fickle!

About half an hour later, Zoe Payne and William Hale arrived, Julia’s attention completely shifted to her daughter, no longer minding her son.

Mario Payne also took William aside specifically to advise:

"Emotional swings can be quite significant during pregnancy, you need to be more considerate and spend more time with her."

"Don’t focus all your attention on the child after Zoe gets pregnant, still keep her as your top priority."

...

William Hale carefully noted down everything.

His main priority lately was to accompany Zoe Payne.

All members of the Hale Family were happy, except for his uncle Quade Hale:

Because,

He had to re-enter the workforce at his age.

The patriarch made it clear:

He should worry more about the company’s affairs, and give William more time to accompany his wife.

After voicing minor complaints, the patriarch coldly snorted, stating that as an uncle, he was inadequate, as an elder, he was not loving enough toward the younger generation, and sighed over minor tasks, which was truly unbecoming.

After William talked with his father-in-law, he felt anxious.

Even when Zoe Payne was eating, he had to check if the food was suitable for pregnant women.

Tim Payne chuckled lightly:

It’s hard to tell, but Mr. Hale seems to be quite lovestruck.

But he was worried his mother might bring up matchmaking again, so right after dinner, he hurriedly rolled back to the office and asked Assistant Law, "Did you order the flowers for our home today?"

"They were from an acquaintance, and Miss Jones’s flowers and plants are beautiful and inexpensive."

"Acquaintance?" Tim Payne raised an eyebrow. "Are you close with her?"

"..."

Not knowing how to respond, Assistant Law deliberately changed the subject, "Junior President Payne, shouldn’t you keep an eye on Jade Essence?"

"What’s happening with Jade Essence?"

"You know, Mr. Gonzalez’s newly established company offers lower prices, stealing some of our clients."

Assistant Law pursed his lips, understanding somewhat; Junior President Payne, being proud of his talents, seldom participated in social gatherings. In contrast, Jovan Gonzalez was adept in networking and constantly poached clients.

"Shall I arrange some dinner meetings for you?"

"In our business, ultimately, it’s about the design itself," declared Tim Payne bluntly.

Jade Essence’s designs mostly followed popular trends—whatever was hot, their designers would mimic.

But as designers,

It’s not about following trends but setting them.

Otherwise, you can only make quick cash, which isn’t sustainable.

While they spoke, Tim Payne’s cellphone vibrated, a message from Cressida Jones: [Junior President Payne, I’m so sorry, it’s almost New Year, and the shop has many orders. Dinner tonight might be late, should we reschedule?]

Tim Payne raised an eyebrow. [I’m not in a hurry.]

[I can definitely finish by seven o’clock. Maybe you can think about what to eat tonight?]

Seeing that it was time to leave work, Assistant Law knocked on the door to inquire, "Junior President Payne, should I drive you home?"

But instead, he heard him ask, "Do you know where Miss Jones’s flower shop is?"

Assistant Law was stunned.

Was he hearing things?

Out of the blue, why ask about the location of her flower shop? If he wanted to order flowers, a phone call would suffice.

Tim Payne wanted to pick a restaurant near her flower shop and after selecting a place, he messaged Cressida Jones and went there early.

He would pass by the flower shop on the way to the restaurant.

Assistant Law even pointed it out specifically, "That’s Miss Jones’s flower shop."

He never thought Junior President Payne would actually ask Miss Jones out for dinner.

Quite unexpected.

And yet...

To claim there’s nothing between them?

Tim Payne hummed affirmatively, simply giving it a glance.

The micro-cement design, elegantly simple, the entire door made of glass, allowed a clear view of the various bouquets and green plants inside, resembling a Monet garden.

Through the glass, it was visible she was tidying up, probably about to leave.

"Junior President Payne, we’re already at the door, maybe pick up Miss Jones together?"

Before Tim Payne could speak, he saw a Bentley stop at the front of the flower shop. Assistant Law commented, "That must be another business opportunity coming up."

But unexpectedly, the person who stepped out from the car...

Was Beckett Jeans!

He was even holding a bunch of roses, Assistant Law gritted his teeth: "Damn, what is this shameless scumbag up to?"

"If Miss Jones likes him so much, won’t she take him back if the scumbag regrets his actions?"

Tim Payne watched as Beckett Jeans grabbed her hand...

Dark undercurrents surged in his eyes.