Mrs Hale, I Surrender
Chapter 441 - 440 saying one thing but meaning another, being excessively jealous

Chapter 441: 440 saying one thing but meaning another, being excessively jealous

Inside the private room of the club

After dinner, a few people were playing cards, and Cressida Jones, who didn’t really know how, was pulled by Zoe Payne to sit at one of the spots.

Everyone originally thought she was just being polite by saying she didn’t know how to play, but it turns out she really didn’t, so she often played unpredictably, catching the other three players off guard.

Michale Shaw, out of options, gave up his spot, pulled up a chair, and sat beside Cressida Jones to guide her.

"...the flower shop reopens on the second day of the new year, so you don’t have time to visit relatives during the New Year?" Zoe asked casually.

Cressida Jones just smiled, "I don’t really have many relatives anyway."

"How come you have no relatives?" Michale Shaw played along.

"When my mom got cancer, my dad refused to provide financial help, so we had to borrow money everywhere. Considering we were just a mother and daughter with no capability to pay back, and with my dad’s pressure, no one was willing to lend to us."

"I understand their considerations, earning money isn’t easy for anyone, and we haven’t really kept in touch with anyone over the years."

"This year though, some relatives did invite me and my grandmother over, but it didn’t seem interesting, so I rejected them."

Cressida spoke lightly,

As if she was talking about someone else’s story.

Zoe Payne pursed her lips, "I’m sorry, I..."

"It’s alright, it’s all in the past and there’s nothing that can’t be spoken about."

Cressida Jones’s tone was relaxed, indicating a strong inner strength.

"Oh, during the New Year, my little brother-in-law wanted to take Uncle as his godfather, but he refused." Zoe changed the topic.

Cressida frowned, "Is that related to me?"

Zoe nodded, "Uncle said he likes people like you, and he would be happy to have you as his goddaughter."

The rest of the players at the table looked down at their cards, not making a sound.

They were sharp and had already figured out what was going on.

"But my mom said, Uncle is dreaming beautifully, wanting such a pretty daughter without giving anything in return. She said he’s dreaming, which made Uncle very angry." Zoe said this fictitiously, merely probing.

Cressida just smiled, "Uncle Yates is a good man; being his daughter would be a blessing from past lives."

Powerful and protective.

Definitely better than her worthless, blind-hearted dad.

If she really could have such a godfather, only a fool would be unwilling.

But Cressida took Zoe’s words as a joke.

Martin Yates and the Payne Family, being of the same stature, would consider many factors if they wanted to acknowledge someone informally. Why would they consider her?

However, those present saw clearly, sharing a knowing look among themselves.

It seemed that Cressida Jones really caught Martin Yates’s eye.

While they were talking, Michale Shaw was still teaching Cressida, almost going crazy, "You should play this one, Cressida, where is your mind?"

"I..." Cressida frowned.

"Tell me why you played the three of circles."

Cressida pursed her lips, "I just didn’t like it."

"And the five of bamboos is because..."

"It just felt like it disrupted the whole aesthetic."

Michale lost his temper.

My God, we’re playing mahjong, what does aesthetic have to do with it?

Cressida coughed, "Don’t you think it was disturbing the harmony?"

"Cressida, if I suddenly get a heart attack or a stroke, it’ll definitely be because you frustrated me." Michale took a deep breath, such a smart girl, how can she be so brainless when playing mahjong.

Everyone chuckled.

Cressida also felt a bit embarrassed and decided to give up her place, standing up to look at Michale, "Maybe you should take over."

"You sit down, finish this round for me. You think you can just leave this mess to me? No way." Michale said, pressing on her shoulder, making her sit back down.

"I might really have no talent for Mahjong," Cressida sighed.

"Don’t claim to be my apprentice once you’re outside."

"I never acknowledged you as my master."

"..."

Michale Shaw was so frustrated that his teeth itched.

When Tim Payne entered the private room, at first glance, he saw Michale Shaw resting his arm on the back of the chair Cressida Jones was sitting on, chatting intimately. They were discussing the card game and had to keep their voices down so the other three players couldn’t hear, naturally bringing them closer to each other.

Michale Shaw looked unruly and carefree, dressed in a manner resembling a dashing young master.

While Cressida Jones was dignified and beautiful.

Together, they were quite a pleasing sight.

Assistant Law stood behind his boss, confused all along until he saw Cressida Jones, which clarified everything.

Picking up his sister?

Such deception!

The crucial part was his boss’s expression...

He looked exactly like someone catching a cheater, extremely jealous.

"Brother? What brings you here?" Zoe Payne stood up, somewhat surprised to see him, "Weren’t you at the design exhibition with Uncle William?"

"I had dinner with some designers, heard you were here, just passing by and thought I’d check in," Tim Payne said nonchalantly, while Assistant Law quietly stood in the corner of the room, listening to his boss blatantly lying.

Since he was William Hale’s uncle, he was called ’brother’ by everyone regardless of age.

Only Cressida Jones called him "Junior President Payne."

She did not expect Tim Payne to show up; you could tell from her eyes that she had drunk a bit, yet she still managed to maintain her noble demeanor.

Their eyes met, and she was the first to look away.

Tim Payne subconsciously clenched his fingers tightly.

Michale Shaw laughed, "Cressida, you must be quite familiar with Brother Payne, calling him Junior President Payne like that, do you two actually feel distant?"

Since Tim Payne had helped the Jones Family at the police station.

Moreover, Martin Yates intended to recognize her as his god-daughter, she would eventually have to call him ’brother.’

"Why not call him ’Brother’ as well?" Michale Shaw was always stirring up trouble.

"First check which card I should play," Cressida Jones swiftly changed the topic.

"Let me see," Michale Shaw leaned over to continue observing the cards, "Which one do you think?"

"How about this one?"

"..."

Tim Payne remained silent, chatted casually with Zoe Payne for a bit, took a glass of water, and stealthily moved behind Cressida Jones, drinking water with one hand in his pocket, seemingly just casually passing by.

William Hale watched intently, but remained silent.

As the game concluded,

Michale Shaw could no longer hold back, "Cressida, where is your mind?"

"I really did try my best, don’t worry, I’ll focus properly this time."

Michale Shaw talked until he was parched, "I’m going to get a drink, keep playing."

Cressida Jones concentrated on the game, sensing someone by her side, assuming Michale Shaw had returned, she casually asked, "Which card should I play?"

In the next second,

that person put down their glass on the table, rested one hand on the back of her chair, and leaned in close.

The familiar scent from him enveloped her, making her tense up instantly. He seemed to have taken some sobering sweets; they were the ones she gave him, lemon-flavored, very fresh tasting, but the scent was heated by the alcohol, warm, touching her side face...

Softly, warmly.

Causing her heart to race.

Now it was her turn to act in the game, worried about keeping the other three players waiting, she randomly played a card, but before the card even landed, Tim Payne stopped it.

"Keep this one, play the two of clubs."

His hand gently rested on the back of hers.

Very warm.