Mrs Hale, I Surrender
Chapter 438 - 437 Dislike? Ways to Become a Family (2 more - s)

Chapter 438: 437 Dislike? Ways to Become a Family (2 more Chapters)

After leaving the crowd, Tim Payne looked down at her, "Did you come here on your own?"

"Yep." Cressida Jones smiled at her.

The smile was restrained, polite, and somewhat distant.

Tim Payne was no fool; he could naturally sense her faint disengagement. Just as he was about to speak again, he saw his parents coming over, accompanied by a monk who was thanking them for their donation.

Following his gaze, Cressida Jones also noticed Mr. and Mrs. Payne.

Julia Yates was taken aback when she saw her.

"Mr. Payne, Mrs. Payne, happy new year," Cressida Jones greeted them politely.

"Happy New Year."

As Julia Yates said this, she glanced at her son, her eyes full of questions:

What’s going on? Why is she here? Did the two of you arrange to meet?

Tim Payne felt helpless:

This is a public place, anyone can come, it’s not our Payne Family’s private territory. Is her appearance really that strange?

"Did you come to burn incense?" Julia Yates smiled.

Cressida Jones nodded, "I’ve already offered the incense."

"Shall we go down the mountain together?" Mrs. Payne invited, and as Cressida Jones was indeed intending to go down, they went together.

Julia Yates and Cressida Jones walked ahead, chatting in low voices, while Tim Payne followed behind with his father, unable to hear. They just occasionally saw the two women laughing out loud, appearing to enjoy their conversation.

"Tim’s uncle mentioned you yesterday. He said he really likes you." Though Julia Yates had met her before, they hadn’t spoken much. Today, upon seeing her, she found Cressida to be graceful and poised, speaking neither hurriedly nor slowly.

She seemed gentle, yet clearly had her own temper and ideas.

No wonder my brother likes her.

"My this brother, never married in his life, with neither son nor daughter, refuses to move in with me, wanting to live alone in that cold house. It’s rare for him to praise the younger ones."

Cressida Jones smiled, "Uncle Yates is also very nice, cordial to everyone. I find him especially approachable."

The Payne Family three: (O_o)??

Miss, are you joking?

Affable?

Or, affably nuclear?

For Cressida Jones, someone like Martin Yates, who wore his feelings on his face and was straightforward, was much better than those who are insincere.

Dealing with him, there was no need for overthinking, it was worry-free!

Julia Yates smiled ruefully, "You have a high opinion of him."

"Uncle Yates looked out for me a lot, and there was a little incident at the hotel before the new year. I owe it to Uncle Yates for protecting me," Cressida Jones smiled, "He even found a lawyer for me. I’ve been too busy to thank him in person."

"There will be plenty of opportunities to keep in touch in the future," Julia Yates smiled.

Cressida Jones just smiled.

Keep in touch often?

That’s unnecessary.

The more illustrious the family, the more issues arise. Last year, Mrs. Payne of the Payne Family actually hired someone to murder her niece, and someone else to impersonate Miss Payne. The story is public knowledge.

Even though her father was not the best, at least he never wished for her death.

So, it’s better to stay away from the many disputes of these wealthy families.

Julia Yates had no idea what she was thinking. When they reached the base of the mountain and learned she was going to take a public bus, they invited her to join them in their car. Unable to decline their hospitality, Cressida Jones got into the Payne family’s car.

As soon as she got in, Julia Yates took out a car pendant from her bag and handed it to Tim Payne, "Hang it on the rearview mirror. It’s a gift from the master at the temple."

Tim Payne nodded and took it, but his eyebrows slightly furrowed upon seeing that it was a bit pink.

This...

It didn’t quite match the interior style of his car.

"The master said, this is for attracting romance, to help you find a girl you like," Julia Yates said with a laugh.

Cressida Jones, sitting in the back with her head lowered, struggled to hold back her laughter.

Turns out...

You’re also here seeking a romantic connection.

And you have the nerve to say I’m impatient?

"What did you pray for at the temple?" Julia Yates turned to the person beside her.

"For safety, for career success, for a romantic relationship."

Julia Yates glanced at her son.

Take a look,

Every young girl knows to ask for their own love fortune. Why are you not happy when I ask on your behalf?

Tim Payne, resigned, buckled his seat belt, "Miss Jones, shall I take you home first?"

"Sure, thanks."

Then, Mr. and Mrs. Payne noticed a problem.

Because their son didn’t even ask where she lived, he simply drove straight into a community and parked under an apartment building.

What’s going on?

Has he been here before?

So familiar with the way?

Before getting out of the car, Cressida Jones courteously invited them to come up for a cup of tea, but the Payne Family Members naturally declined politely. Julia Yates then took an envelope out of her bag and handed it to her.

"This..." Cressida Jones wanted to refuse.

"Take it, it’s a New Year’s red packet."

Unable to refuse, she opened the red packet at home and found, apart from cash, there was a little sealed bag containing a few golden beans. She couldn’t help but think:

Indeed, wealthy.

——

Meanwhile, as Tim Payne drove back, he noticed his parents’ gazes were fixed on him and cleared his throat, "Dad, Mom, is something the matter?"

"You’re quite familiar with Miss Jones?" Julia Yates pressed.

"Not really."

"How do you know where she lives?"

"I’ve given her a ride on the way."

Knowing their son, Mario Payne spoke directly, "Do you like that girl?"

"..."

Tim Payne knew his parents were anxious about his marriage. If he admitted that he liked her, they would probably look for excuses to arrange meetings with Cressida Jones, causing her unnecessary trouble. Thus, he simply shook his head, "I don’t like her."

Seeing their son saying so, Mr. and Mrs. Payne did not pursue the topic further and instead started to talk about Iva Payne.

She had been left hemiplegic by an accident caused by her own daughter, and had been discharged from the hospital and taken home by Jovan Gonzalez.

On the second day of the new year, returning to her parental home.

Iva Payne had someone convey a message, expressing her wish to return to the Old House of Hale Family to apologize to her parents.

"What did Grandpa and Grandma say?" Tim Payne frowned.

"Of course they did not agree."

"Uncle had already divorced her, I didn’t expect him to take her back home."

"It’s said that they were husband and wife for many years, to leave her to fend for herself and spend the Spring Festival alone, he couldn’t bear it in his heart, if she had treated your uncle well, their lives would have probably been very happy," Mario Payne sighed.

Jovan Gonzalez had a very good reputation outside now.

After all, Iva Payne has been thrown out of the family, being half paralyzed and unable to take care of herself, yet he remained devoted.

Add to that, he had married into the family for love,

His image as a doting husband had been solidified.

Even with his wife having done such things, he could still act to such an extent, being so loyal, naturally, cooperating with him would not be shoddy. Leveraging this image, the jewelry company he founded attracted many investments.

By the time they returned to the Old House of Hale Family, Zoe Payne was in the tea room learning how to brew tea with Old Lady Hale, while Elder Mrs. and Mr. Payne were responsible for tasting.

"Zoe, here’s the peace charm I got for you and your baby."

Julia Yates handed the peace charm to Zoe Payne.

"Thank you, Mom," she said smilingly, taking it, "Why didn’t you call me to join you when you went out?"

"I wanted you to sleep a bit more, and there’s a crowd going for the first incense, I was afraid of squeezing you." Julia Yates has always been very fond of her daughter, fearing any slightest mishap, wishing she could keep her protected and cherished.

Zoe Payne put away the peace charm safely, and Old Mrs. Payne asked, "Were there many people burning incense? You set off at dawn and only got back at nearly noon."

"We ran into that girl from the Jones Family, and we gave her a ride home on the way."

Cressida Jones...

Zoe Payne bowed her head and continued brewing tea. This Miss Jones has been showing up quite frequently lately.

"I talked to her the whole way, the young lady is quite nice, no wonder your Uncle Yates likes her. I thought your brother might be interested in her, maybe there was a chance to be part of the same family. I didn’t expect that he didn’t like her at all."

The movement of Zoe Payne brewing tea paused:

Doesn’t like her?

But Old Lady Hale laughed and said, "You don’t have to be married to be one family."

"You mean..." Julia Yates raised an eyebrow.

"Martin Yates likes her, and you think she’s good, too. He has no children, he could consider her as a goddaughter."

Zoe Payne froze, but what about her brother?