Chapter 531: Bad Advice

Although Dawn’s words hurt Mari, Mari understood where Dawn was coming from.

She wasn’t sure how to explain to Dawn that she’d been saying all of that to get Jamal to defend her. She knew if she said so, Dawn would likely not believe her considering all she’d heard.

But she expected that at least Jamal would have given her the benefit of doubt and come to her rescue since he knew her.

And she also felt hurt that they’d made up, yet lied to her about it, while she’d been busy worrying her head off how to help them fix things.

Blinking back the tears in her eyes, she picked up her handbag, then turned from Dawn to Jamal. "I’m sorry for all I said. I think I should leave."

Jamal immediately shook his head. "Don’t. I think there’s a misunderstanding and it’s best we all clear it up before you leave."

"How can you call this a misunderstanding? You heard all she said," Dawn said, unable to believe Jamal.

"Yes, I did. And I know Mari. I’m sure she has a reason..."

"A reason?" Dawn asked incredulously. "What kind of reason justifies this?"

"I’ve known Mari all my life and she..."

"And so it is okay for her to pretend to be a friend to me and speak ill of me to you?"

"I was only trying to help," Mari said, then broke into a sob, relieved that Jamal was speaking up for her, but upset that she may now be the reason for another fight between them.

Both Jamal and Dawn looked at her when she started crying.

Before either of them could say another word, someone knocked on the door.

Jamal frowned as he headed for the door, not wanting anyone to come in and see Mari in that state.

He paused when he opened the door and saw Jax standing there.

"Good morning, Jamal," Jax greeted with a smile, "Sorry to interrupt your..." he was still speaking when Mari, who had heard his voice, hurried over to meet him with tears on her face.

Jax’s brows drew together the moment he saw her tears, before she wrapped her arms around him.

"What’s going on?" He asked, looking at Jamal.

He was not smiling now.

Jamal exhaled deeply. "Come inside."

Jax stepped in, his arms around Mari, who was sobbing quietly.

Jamal shut the door behind them, while Dawn remained where she stood, her arms crossed in front of her chest as she looked at them.

She didn’t like that Mari was crying, but neither did she like that Mari had referred to her as a ’bitch’ without saying the word directly.

She’d really liked Mari and had been grateful for their friendship, but she felt hurt and betrayed that in the end Mari didn’t like her as much as she’d thought.

Jax looked at Jamal. "Why is she crying?" He asked again before noticing Dawn’s presence, then his frown deepened when he saw she had tears on her face too. "You’re here too? What’s going on?"

Jamal opened his mouth to respond, then shut it, unsure how to explain what Mari had said.

"Your fiancée pretended to be my friend. She acted like she wanted to resolve things between Jamal and me, but behind me she tried to get him to break up with me," Dawn said, sniffling.

Mari pulled back from Jax to look into his face. "I was only taking your advice. I didn’t know she was hiding inside and listening."

"What advice?" Dawn and Jamal asked at the same time, both frowning.

Realising what had happened, Jax chuckled as he brushed off her tears. "I see."

"What’s funny?" Mari asked, slapping his arm.

Jax laughed more. "Was that really the reason you were crying? Couldn’t you have just explained the situation or called me to defend you?"

Mari shook her head, her lips wobbling. "I’ve never been in such a situation before. I was startled."

Jax’s smile softened and nodded slowly as he pulled her close again. "Alright. I’ll handle it."

Then the smile slid off his face as he looked at Jamal, then Dawn."She was only trying to help. She didn’t mean any harm. And I don’t like that you both made her cry when she’s been worried about you for the last couple of days."

"Trying to help?" Dawn asked in confusion.

"Yes. She was trying to help. She had always been on your side. She wasn’t pretending. On our way here, I was the one who told her that the best way to get Jamal to think straight was to pretend to take his side. I asked her not to act like she supported you and instead to support him in a way that he would rise to defend you."

"I knew it! I knew she had her reasons," Jamal said proudly, relieved that he’d not misjudged her.

Jamal looked at Dawn. "Does this reason justify what she said?"

Tears gathered afresh in Dawn’s eyes as she looked at Mari.

So that was what she’d been doing. Although she’d gone too far by bringing Genevieve into it, she’d not betrayed her trust in her. She’d really been trying to help.

"Mari, I’m sorry," Dawn said very softly. "I’m sorry I misjudged you."

Mari sniffled as she raised her head again from Jax’s chest.

She looked at Dawn. "I was trying to help, yet you lied to me about the situation between you..."

"That was my fault. I wanted to mess with you and hear what you would say to me," Jamal cut in quickly.

Mari drew in a deep breath, then used both hands to brush off the tears on her face.

"I suppose you chose the wrong day to mess with me. I don’t think I’m in the mood for any of this. I’ve had enough for one morning. I’m glad you’ve both made up. This will be the last time I interfere in your relationship."

Then she looked at Jax. "We can leave now," she said, then turned around and walked out of the office without another word to them.

Jax looked from Jamal to Dawn, who was at the verge of tears now. "Hopefully, she will calm down soon," he said before going after her.