Mrs Hale, I Surrender
Chapter 415 - 414 signifies a partnership; she’s going on a blind date (2nd update)

Chapter 415: 414 signifies a partnership; she’s going on a blind date (2nd update)

The day after

Cressida Jones was awoken by the ringtone of her mobile phone. She would go to the florist shop on time every day, but when she drowsily opened her eyes, she was shocked to find herself lying in a hotel.

Maybe it was the hangover candy she had eaten, her head didn’t hurt too much. She had some fuzzy memories of last night.

Done for...

How could she have drunk so much in front of Tim Payne!

She picked up her phone, intending to check the time, only to discover a bank notification showing she transferred money at a little past two in the morning.

This amount of money...

A whole one hundred thousand!

How many flowers would she have to sell to make that much?

When she opened WeChat, she realized she had transferred it to Tim Payne, and last night’s events flashed through her mind like a carousel lantern.

What to do?

Can she get the money back?

She looked down at the slippers on the floor. The disposable slippers provided by the hotel ended up costing her one hundred thousand.

After she got ready and left the bedroom, she found Tim Payne still there. He glanced at her, "Ordered breakfast. Care to join?"

Assistant Law had also arrived; he originally stood by Tim’s side discussing work.

Upon seeing Cressida Jones he stepped aside.

Cressida Jones nodded.

She sat opposite Tim Payne, sipped her coffee, but her peripheral vision kept sizing up the man across from her.

He was wearing a woolen sweater, looking lazy and casual, every move carried an air of nonchalance, and his hair wasn’t as neatly tidy as usual. Bangs falling down partially covered his eyebrows and eyes.

He seemed much younger all of a sudden.

It was she who insisted he accept the money – how should she broach the subject to get it back?

This hundred thousand, to Tim Payne, meant nothing.

But ever since she went to university, she hardly spent a cent of the Jones Family’s money. This hard-earned hundred thousand really wasn’t easy to come by.

"About last night, I’m really sorry. I drank too much and caused you trouble," Cressida Jones took the initiative to speak.

"You said you were treating yesterday."

"Yes."

"I’m the one who paid," Tim Payne said nonchalantly as he ate breakfast.

"..."

Cressida Jones bit her lip.

This was really the end.

The dinner, the hotel stay, she even troubled him, there was no way she could bring herself to mention that hundred thousand again.

A meal costing a hundred thousand!

As Tim Payne said this, he looked up at her, "By the way, thanks for the tip you gave me last night, Miss Jones."

Assistant Law was flabbergasted.

What exactly happened after he left last night?

A tip?

What kind of service did his boss provide her?

His gaze wandered between the two, as if he sensed something unusual.

Cressida Jones chuckled awkwardly, wishing she could bury her head in her coffee cup.

"Did you also drink like this when you were outside?" Tim Payne asked in a casual tone.

"No, I seldom drink."

"Weren’t you afraid I might be a bad person who could do something to you?"

Cressida laughed, "That wouldn’t happen, you’re a good person, and... we’re kind of accomplices, I trust you."

Accomplices?

Assistant Law nearly burst into laughter!

Her phone suddenly vibrated, the contact name was [Silas Jones], she answered with a hello, "Dad?"

"Did you stay at the florist shop last night?"

Cressida Jones replied, "For the New Year, many people pre-ordered New Year’s flowers, it’s been quite busy."

"That won’t make much money. I have an old friend who introduced a match for you. Make some time to meet him."

"Dad, I just broke off my engagement with Beckett Jeans..."

"Are you still thinking about him?" Silas Jones snorted coldly, "Marigold is pregnant with his child, and even if you still like him, you should stay away from him, as he will be your brother-in-law."

"I know."

"The arranged meeting is settled then; I will notify you about the specifics later."

"Dad, I’m really busy..."

"Your grandma is having surgery after the New Year, and I’ve arranged the best orthopedic surgeon for her. You should know that Peter Lewis is already retired, and it’s difficult to get an appointment with him. If not for having strong connections, who would be able to ask for his help?"

The room was too quiet, and not that far apart, so when Tim Payne heard the name Peter Lewis, his thoughts stirred slightly.

After hearing this, Cressida Jones pursed her lips and said, "I understand, please go ahead and arrange it."

"Cressida, I’m your father, I wouldn’t harm you—trust me. The match I found for you is certainly the best."

After hanging up the phone, Cressida Jones had no appetite for breakfast. "Junior President Payne, I have a lot of things to take care of at my flower shop, I need to go."

After her hasty departure, Assistant Law leaned in and said, "The Jones Family has recently been in turmoil because of Mr. Hale. I heard the company’s market value has evaporated by nearly half. Arranging Miss Jones to meet someone is probably an attempt to sell her off to another family."

"Junior President Payne, do you want to find out who Miss Jones is meeting for the arranged date?"

Tim Payne remained silent.

After he returned to the office, he took the time to call his sister.

"Are you going to see Old Sir Lewis for a follow-up visit soon?"

Zoe Payne was taken aback, "Yes."

Her leg had only recently recovered from surgery, and as her pregnancy progressed, her belly was growing, which put pressure on her legs. Even though Peter Lewis had already confirmed that she could get pregnant, William Hale was still worried and wanted her to find time for a check-up.

"I’ll accompany you."

"Sure." Zoe Payne didn’t think much of it.

——

Two days later, Zoe Payne went to see Peter Lewis.

"Your leg has recovered very well. William is just too worried about you," Peter Lewis said with a smile. "That boy even called me specifically to ask which obstetricians in Capital City are good."

"I’ve watched him grow up and now, before I know it, he’s about to become a father."

Zoe Payne exchanged pleasantries with him briefly, not delaying him for too long, as he had a surgery scheduled next.

Once his sister left the office, Tim Payne then asked Old Sir Lewis, "Old Sir Lewis, may I inquire about something?"

"Go ahead, no need to stand on ceremony."

"Do you know a Mr. Jones?"

"Jones?"

"Silas Jones!"

Old Sir Lewis frowned and shook his head.

"Do you have any surgeries scheduled after the New Year?"

"I’m going abroad to give lectures after the New Year, possibly for half a year. The itinerary has been set a long time ago, all my surgeries are concentrated before the New Year."

Tim Payne nodded his head, thanked him, and left.

Meanwhile, Cressida Jones was extremely busy, taking orders, packing bouquets, as New Year’s was the peak season for flower orders. Except for New Year’s Eve, she probably wouldn’t have time to rest.

Thinking about the tip she had given to Tim Payne, she couldn’t help but sigh.

However, her phone suddenly vibrated.

The notification showed she received a transfer of a hundred thousand yuan.

She knew who it was from without a second thought and immediately sent Tim Payne a message, pretending to ask, "The hundred thousand yuan, was it transferred by you?"

"Actions while intoxicated should not be taken seriously."

"I truly bothered you last time, please allow me to properly invite you for a meal when I’m free."

"Sure."

"Then, are you busy? I won’t disturb you any further."

"Old Sir Lewis hasn’t scheduled any surgeries after the New Year."

"I know, thank you."

Assistant Law stood to one side, catching a glimpse of Junior President Payne’s chat, shook his head with resignation, and said softly, "The man Silas Jones is introducing to Miss Jones should be Mr. Drake from YM."

Tim Payne remained silent.

"Over forty, divorced, and has three kids, each from different mothers."

Tim Payne’s expression finally changed slightly.