Mrs Hale, I Surrender
Chapter 442 - 441 Wants to get drunk and bully her by kissing? (2 more updates)

Chapter 442: 441 Wants to get drunk and bully her by kissing? (2 more updates)

The heat from the back of her hand made Cressida Jones’s scalp tingle, and she hastily retreated her hand, looking at the three people opposite her, "I haven’t thrown out my tile yet, is it okay if I change it?"

Having made her move, Cressida Jones still asked the others.

The other three players glanced at each other and just smiled, "No worries, it’s just for fun."

Moreover...

Junior President Payne now,

is fully dominant.

Who dares to say anything.

As long as you’re happy.

Everyone reflected on the complicated relationships around, Uncle Yates wanting to recognize Miss Jones as his goddaughter, and Junior President Payne seems to have an unusual relationship with her.

Meanwhile, Michale Shaw, pouring drinks in the distance, commented: "Brother Payne, she really doesn’t have the talent for mahjong, better not coach her anymore. If she loses, it would be embarrassing for you too, and harm your reputation for life."

Cressida Jones took a deep breath, grinding her teeth internally:

Michale Shaw!

Can’t you just shut up?

"Lost many times already?" Tim Payne spoke casually.

"Basically... never won," Cressida Jones replied in a low voice, feeling embarrassed.

"Want to win?"

"Of course." Being the New Year, losing all evening is naturally frustrating.

"I’ll help you."

"Can you?"

"Without trying, how would you know if I can’t?"

The other three players looked down at their cards, the conversation sounded increasingly odd to them.

Which tile to play, what strategy and tactics to use, needed to be secretly discussed, so Tim Payne sat down in Michale Shaw’s place, unconsciously getting closer.

Unlike Michale Shaw, Tim Payne would explain why she should play certain tiles, and being smart, Cressida Jones picked up a few tricks quite quickly under his coaching. Key was someone’s stable mood, unlike Michale Shaw who always relied on shouting.

Every time Michale Shaw shouted, it only made Cressida Jones more nervous.

Looking at Tim Payne, although she was nervous, she felt much more assured.

Tim Payne didn’t talk much, letting Cressida Jones control most of the time, only guiding at critical moments.

When Cressida Jones looked at her tiles, did she just...

Win?

She couldn’t believe it and turned to look at Tim Payne.

He was just smiling and nodding.

Cressida Jones then pushed down the tiles in front of her, laughing, "This time, I won."

The other three players congratulated her laughing, while Michale Shaw, in disbelief, rushed over, "What, she actually won? How did she win? I coached you for so long and you never won, how did Brother Payne make you win right away?"

Tim Payne: "Because you are too weak."

"I’m weak?"

Hearing this, Michale Shaw’s feathers ruffled.

Everyone burst out laughing, and the people nearby also laughed.

The laughter was close, resonating at her ear, disturbing Cressida’s heart, causing it to flutter chaotically. She hurriedly got up, giving her seat to Michale Shaw, "You play now, it’s getting late, I should head home."

"Leaving already? It’s still early," Zoe Payne noted, seeing it was just past nine.

"My grandmother is alone at home, and I need to get up early tomorrow to go to the shop."

Tim Payne looked at his watch, "I’ll drive you."

"No need, I’ll just take a taxi."

Assistant Law suddenly chimed in, "We’re going the same way, and taxis are expensive during New Year."

Zoe Payne not feeling reassured letting her walk alone, instructed her brother to safely see her home. Watching the two leave the booth, she turned to William Hale, "Don’t you think my brother’s acting weird?"

William glanced at Michale Shaw not far who was already filled with gossip, smiling said, "How is brother weird? He seems quite normal."

"Really?"

"You haven’t been resting well since you got pregnant, maybe you’re overthinking it."

Zoe Payne frowned.

Was she overthinking?

Michale Shaw, seeing no gossip, immediately shifts his target, declaring a one-on-three challenge, making the three opposites cry all the way home.

**

The street is adorned with festive lanterns, creating a cheerful holiday atmosphere.

However, Cressida Jones can’t shake off an uneasy feeling. Tonight, Tim Payne has been acting strangely, possibly due to drinking. He barely spoke the whole way, until Assistant Law couldn’t bear it any longer and asked, "Miss Jones, are you familiar with young master Shaw?"

The person, originally resting with eyes closed, twitched his eyelids.

"No, we just met tonight."

"I heard him call you Cressida, I thought you two were close?"

"He’s overly familiar, just calling out random names."

"I heard him say you were brainless; I thought you’d get angry."

"He has a nice personality. He spent half the day teaching me; it’s my fault for not living up to expectations, so his anger is understandable," Cressida Jones smiled, "He’s just a bit unrestrained with his words, but a gentleman nonetheless, keeping things appropriate. No wonder he’s friends with Mr. Hale."

"You seem to have a high opinion of him," Assistant Law cleared his throat, "Do you like his type?"

Finally, the person opened her eyes.

Cressida Jones smiled slightly, "I suppose no girl wouldn’t."

Humorous, witty, and wealthy.

Being with him, at least every day is joyful.

And there’s no sense of distance.

Unlike some people, Cressida Jones just can’t figure it out.

Tim Payne listened quietly, fingers unconsciously tightening on his knees. Meanwhile, a car trying to beat the green light suddenly changed lanes without signaling, causing Assistant Law to tense up and instinctively hit the brakes.

Due to inertia, Cressida Jones lunged forward.

It happened so quickly, there was no time to react. Her head, which should have hit the seat in front, was unexpectedly protected by someone’s hand reaching out in front of her as her body rocked inside the car...

When she regained her senses, she was already wrapped in Tim Payne’s arms.

Held tightly,

Breathing hurriedly, her hands instinctively clutching his arm, her face turned pale; it took a few seconds before she returned to her senses.

"With increased traffic during the New Year, idiots are bound to show up!" Assistant Law was furious, intending to check if the two in the back were okay, but upon turning his head, he sulkily shut his mouth.

Apparently...

Am I here to assist?

"Are you okay?" Tim Payne’s eyes and brow lowered, and because of his position, as he spoke his breath warmed her hair, spreading heat.

"Yes, thank you, Junior President Payne."

Cressida Jones moved out of his embrace, but just as she straightened up, he grabbed her wrist, pulled with a slight force, and brought their distance even closer.

Their noses lightly brushed...

Breaths tangled, intertwining.

Just half an inch away; at this moment, if one of them moved slightly closer, they could easily kiss.

Tim Payne’s lips tightened, his gaze lingering on her for a long time.

The scent of alcohol came off him, his eyes illuminated by the neon lights outside the car, shimmering like the ruffled surface of a deep sea, with an undercurrent flowing beneath.

Cressida Jones’ heartbeat suddenly felt very heavy.

"Ju-Junior President Payne?"

"Like Michale Shaw said, we are quite acquainted now, yet you still call me Junior President Payne, seems a bit too formal."

Cressida Jones bit her lip.

But at this moment, the distance was too close, so close she couldn’t think calmly.

His breath, his gaze all but pressed right up to her face, the closed car cabin felt stifling, making it hard for her to breathe, as he seemed to lean closer, as if in the next second...

That breath laden with the scent of alcohol could brush across her lips.

Cressida Jones wanted to flee, biting her lip she said: "Brother Payne..."

Her voice was soft and delicate, with a trembling tone.

Breath warm and sweet.

So close.

Tim Payne’s throat moved, his body feeling aflame, a difficult to describe feeling surged between them, perhaps it really was the alcohol...

He suddenly really wanted to,

Kiss her.