Mrs Hale, I Surrender
Chapter 437 - 436 Bumping into His Embrace, Sealing My Heart and Locking My Love to Be a Rich Lady

Chapter 437: 436 Bumping into His Embrace, Sealing My Heart and Locking My Love to Be a Rich Lady

In the temple, beneath the matchmaking tree

The weather is nice, with just a gentle breeze. The ancient scent of sandalwood spreads all around, creating a solemn and tranquil atmosphere. Once you’re in such a place, whether you believe in gods or not, whether you worship Buddha or not, one should have a sense of reverence in their hearts.

At this moment, Cressida Jones finds her mind thrown into disarray by the sudden appearance of Tim Payne.

He...

How could he be here.

"Miss Jones, where do you want to hang it?" Tim Payne inquires.

But Cressida Jones is lost in thought, not hearing him.

She was just curious. Although Capital City isn’t vast, many people live their entire lives in the same city and never meet.

Moreover, Tim Payne has always seemed resolute in following the party and dispelling superstitions.

Could he actually be here to worship Buddha?

Yet, many wealthy people are very superstitious, with their home decor often carefully arranged according to feng shui. His visit to the temple does make some sense.

But Tim Payne thought the surrounding noise was too loud, and that’s why she hadn’t heard him. He leaned in slightly, bending at the waist, neck inclined. Their bodies are not touching, but they are close enough.

So close that his breath brushes against her ear.

Cressida Jones feels a warm breath blown toward her, accompanied by his gentle voice going straight into her ear.

The noise around them is instantly blocked out,

His breath is so near,

Provoking a fluttering in her heart.

His breath tickles her ear, and she can distinctly feel the heat rising, warming her ear, that warmth spreading throughout her body.

She feels uncomfortable all over.

Cressida Jones clenches her fingers, reminding herself, this is just a normal physical reaction.

"Miss Jones, where should the string be hung?" Tim Payne, having drunk a little at the Hale Family’s place yesterday, has a voice more hoarse and deeper than usual.

Drawing closer,

As if carrying a seductive hook, it makes her heart race and panic.

"Just... here is fine." Cressida Jones vaguely stretches out her hand, pointing to a spot high above.

Although not touching, they have crossed the boundary of a safe distance. Cressida Jones wants to leave, but she is surrounded by people on all sides and can’t squeeze through, with Tim Payne right behind her.

With no other option, she can only stand still.

"You’re here to pray for a good match?" Tim Payne asks nonchalantly.

It doesn’t matter to him anyway. She could be praying for a marriage match in front of him, or getting married, embracing and kissing someone else, and he would be indifferent.

Explaining the reason would be troublesome, so Cressida Jones just responds with a dull tone.

"There are many people burning incense on the first day of the new year. You must be quite eager to join the crowd, it seems that you’re really in a hurry."

Tim Payne raises an eyebrow, usually, there is no hint that she is so anxious to find a partner.

Cressida Jones is stunned for a moment.

This comment...

Seems like he’s suggesting that she’s desperate to get married!

Cressida Jones just smiles, "Yes, quite urgent indeed."

Tim Payne’s fingers suddenly tighten, the red string firmly tied to the tree branch, "The string is now hung. May Miss Jones find her perfect match soon, and find the one she loves..."

He doesn’t finish his sentence, as someone pushes him from behind!

Unprepared, his body tilts forward, and in an instant, their bodies press closely against each other...

And Tim Payne, to stabilize himself, instinctively reaches out, wrapping his arms around the person in front of him.

Cressida Jones, also without any preparation, suddenly feels the collision. Her heart skips a beat out of order, and by the time she gathers her wits, she’s already in his embrace.

In an instant,

Breathless.

As if suffocating.

The proximity is too close, his breath blowing across her hair, deep and urgent.

His unique scent floods in from all directions, overpowering the temple’s sandalwood fragrance, overwhelming her senses, while at that moment, someone strikes a temple bell...

"Dong——"

The bell tolled four times, as if striking her heart and throwing her breathing into disarray.

The red strings hanging from the trees swayed left and right in the wind, the abundance of red made one’s heart waver.

Tim Payne had already steadied himself, but the bell’s toll made his breath and heartbeat chaotic again.

Around them, startled sparrows took flight, and amidst the hubbub of voices, no one noticed his irregular heartbeat.

He took a deep breath and turned his head to look at the person who had bumped into him from behind.

"Sorry, my apologies, I hope I didn’t bump into you," a young boy behind him apologized repeatedly.

"It’s fine."

"I’m really sorry, is your girlfriend okay?" he continued to ask.

Tim Payne was taken aback for a moment, glanced at the person in his arms, and just shook his head.

The boy, seeing Tim Payne’s dignified attire, which suggested a wealth that was beyond expression, was somewhat nervous and anxious about causing trouble, so he smiled and said, "You’re also here with your girlfriend to pray for a marriage bond, right? This love tree is very effective. If a couple comes here together, they will surely last a long time."

"Your girlfriend is really beautiful, you two are a match made in heaven, perfectly suited."

"I wish you both grow old together."

Cressida Jones frowned:

Girlfriend?

What is this nonsense?

Before she had a chance to explain, the boy rushed off after saying his piece, leaving Tim Payne both crying and laughing at the situation.

Meanwhile, Cressida Jones had already struggled free, gesturing for him to let go.

It seemed that only then did Tim Payne come back to reality; his arms fell to his sides, releasing the hands that had embraced her, "Sorry."

"It’s okay, let’s get out of here so we don’t prevent others from hanging their red strings," Cressida said, beginning to squeeze her way out.

The mountain breeze was cool but it made her face flush with warmth.

In today’s society, where interests reign supreme and true affection is hard to find, good men and believing women all search for a good place to hang their marriage strings, thus the area around the marriage tree was extremely crowded.

When Cressida managed to squeeze herself out, it was inevitable that she would be brushed or bumped into.

Tim Payne frowned, stretched out a long arm, and protectively placed it around her shoulder area...

Restrained, maintaining a proper distance, without directly touching her.

As if, he had encased her within his embrace.

Shielding her from the crowded throng.

That feeling, as if someone treasured and protected her, made him seem even more like the perfect man compared to that scum from the Jeans Family.

Cressida’s fingers tightened. So, who wouldn’t love Junior President Payne!

"That boy just now seemed to have misunderstood our relationship," Cressida said with a slight smile.

"Strangers. There’s no need for too much explanation," Tim Payne looked at her, "Are you afraid of being misunderstood? Does it affect you finding someone?"

"Yes, perhaps my destined one is nearby, and I might just encounter my true love right here."

Tim Payne paused for a moment.

She truly is...

Thinking finding a partner is that easy?

Cressida took a deep breath, and under the pretext of adjusting her hat, she rubbed her ears, which had turned red from his breath, and silently recited ’Amitabha’ in her mind.

In this holy Buddhist place, one must maintain serenity and inaction. She had achieved financial independence, needed to be filial to her grandmother, and enjoy life. She must not be entangled by a man.

Men, there are too few reliable ones.

After all, her own father and ex-fiancé were not good men.

To fall for a man, to be heartbroken over a man, doesn’t lead to a good outcome. It’s not easy to find someone like Mr. Hale who loves and cherishes his wife deeply.

Cressida kept chanting in her mind:

Don’t be moved!

Lock your heart, seal your love!

Men are the foremost of the five poisons, they’re like floods and savage beasts.

Stay away from men, for you’ll only end up unhappy.

To become a lonely wealthy widow, that’s my ultimate destination.