Chapter 0299
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The person we were meeting was already sitting at a table. Dylan spotted her first and rushed over.
“Mabel,” he said. She stood up and they embraced as friends. When they separated, Dylan turned to Logan and me. “This is Mabel Fritz. Mabel, this Is Logan Hatfield and Hazel Whitaker.”
Mabel shook Logan’s offered hand quickly enough. She held onto mine much longer.
“The woman in question,” she said while looking me over like she was sizing me up.
“Yes,” I said. After clearing my throat, I add, “Nice to meet you.”
“Professional. Polite. Not at all how the media is portraying you,” Mabel said.
“I already told you not to believe all that,” Dylan grumbled.
“It helps to see with my own eyes,” she said and finally released my hand. “Please, sit down.”
Dylan took the spot beside Mabel at the small four–person table, while Logan and I sat opposite them.
The waitress arrived quickly with menus, but as none of us felt like eating, we ordered coffees all around. The waitress glanced twice at me and then at Logan, but didn’t say anything as she walked away.
Mabel tracked the action, eyes following the waitress. Then she glanced at the table beside ours, just as an old woman leaned over.
“You should be ashamed of yourself, young lady,” the old woman snapped at me. “Splitting up households. Find your own man.”
“If anyone is at fault here, it’s me,” Logan interjected. He leaned forward at the same time, blocking the woman’s sight of me, “I am the one who fell in love with Hazel. No one forced me.”
“Not that you owe any explanation to strangers at a café,” Dylan added, glaring at the woman. “I’m sure you’d like to get back to your meal and leave us to ours.”
The old woman made a harrumphing sound, but ultimately went back to her meal.
Mabel watched the full exchange with a curious
expression.
I could only imagine what she must have been thinking. Even I was even being accosted by old ladies in cafes, maybe this was too big of a project for Mabel to want to take on.
I didn’t want to lose her, though, not if she was trustworthy and could help.
“I know saving my reputation is probably going to be a big challenge,” I started, speaking to Mabel, “But-
“I like challenges,” Mabel said with a small smile. She shrugged. “Besides, this isn’t the worst thing I’ve ever waded through. This is just misinformation spread by a jealous woman and a man hell–bent on scorching earth. It’s not like you actually did anything wrong. Those are the tough cases.”
She was on my side. Realizing that, an overwhelming sense of relief flooded through me and I sank back in my chair. My stomach rumbled. Maybe I was hungry after all. I’d totally skipped breakfast.
“Get the pancakes,” Mabel said. “They put fruit on top, it’s delicious. And stop worrying.” She glanced to Dylan and Logan as well. “All of you. The first step here is to present yourselves with confidence. You
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Chapter 0290
haven’t done anything wrong. Remember that. Carry it Ike a badge of honor.”
“So you’ll help us then?” Logan asked,
“Of course I will,” Mabel said. “I’m used to working for scoundrels. It will be nice to help someone who actually deserves it for a change.”
“Glad to have you,” Dylan said.
Mabel nodded. “Now. I’ll need some time to generate an actual plan, but for now, you must all appear
calm and confident. Continue on like nothing has happened. Remember, you are above this misinformation campaign.”
I could do that. I thought.
When the waitress came again, I confidently ordered, “Pancakes, please. Extra fruit.
Mabel seemed pleased.
“We’ll save your reputation, Hazel. Just you wait.”