Chapter 237 What Are You Acting in Front of Me?
Chapter 237 What Are You Acting in Front of Me?
Jessica didn't expect to be locked up for an entire day.
As dusk fell, she sat on the edge of the bed, having not eaten or drunk anything for a long time, and finally heard the sound of the attic door opening.
A servant outside the door said emotionlessly, "Ms. Jenner, Mr. Jenner and the lady invite you downstairs for dinner."
The servant called again.
A title she had never been called before.
Jessica sat there without moving, glanced at the servant, then looked away and said calmly, "When will I be allowed to leave?"
The servant still showed no expression, mechanically repeating, "Mr. Jenner and the lady invite you to dinner. The door is open, you can go down anytime, but if the food gets cold, there might not be reheat if it gets cold."
After saying that, the servant left directly.
When Jessica stood up, she saw stars for a moment. After all, the air in the attic was bad, she hadn't eaten or drunk all day, and she had rushed to a shoot last night. Her physical condition was not at its best.
When she walked out the door, there was no one else in the hallway, only the servant waiting for her at the stairway.
This floor was the top level of the villa, and there was indeed no place to escape. If a fire broke out on this floor, the stairway would be the only escape route. She didn't need to be monitored.
But how could they possibly set fire to the villa? After all, the Jenner family's villa was not a place just anyone could afford to live in.
Jessica walked downstairs, passing the second floor where she heard servants preparing dishes downstairs. There were also two servants at the corner of the second floor. Seeing her disheveled appearance, they were not surprised. After all, when Jessica was in the Jenner family, she never lived a refined life. She was often confined in the attic, and whenever she came out, she looked just as disheveled.
The servants were long used to it.
"Ms. Jenner, go wash your face and hands. It's too dirty to eat like this," the servant who followed her down said half-heartedly.
Jessica had no intention of eating.
She acted as if she didn't hear, walked downstairs, only to see Trinity, who had also just come down, heading towards the dining table.
Even in casual attire at home, Trinity behaved herself like a noble princess.
Back then, ten-year-old Jessica was still very young and had once envied Trinity for always being so pretty, having beautiful dresses, various pretty hair clips and little girl accessories, getting whatever she wanted, and receiving her parents' meticulous care and love. Trinity could learn piano, violin, and various arts to cultivate her temperament, with special etiquette training. Only the basic skills of dance were too hard for Trinity, and she often slacked off, eventually giving up. Jessica only got the chance to learn dance because she took over the remaining two years of Trinity's prepaid lessons. Later, because learning dance allowed her to stay away from home often, Eugene found her less bothersome and let her continue.
Linda was already seated at the dining table, about to speak to Trinity, who had just arrived. Linda and Trinity suddenly saw the disheveled Jessica coming down the stairs. Almost simultaneously, a look of disgust flashed across their faces, but since Eugene was also approaching, they quickly masked their displeasure.
It was suspicious that neither of them seemed surprised to see Jessica suddenly at home. Clearly, either Eugene had already told them during the day, or they knew before she was brought back.
"Dad," Trinity greeted Eugene with a sweet smile, then turned to Jessica. "I had an interview last night and just got home this morning. I just found out that you are back too. It's been years since our family has been together. Luckily, Dad brought you back. Come sit down, Jessica."
As she spoke, she gestured with her eyes to a seat at the far end of the table, indicating for Jessica to sit there.
This family was acting strange today.
Linda knew Jessica was no longer easy to manipulate like when she was a child. Since learning Jessica was back, her face hadn't looked good, but with Eugene present, she didn't say much. She only said, "Trinity, you were busy all night yesterday, but you haven't eaten anything since you got back. Sit down first."
Trinity obediently sat next to Linda, while Eugene's seat was on the other side of Linda, their family's exclusive spots.
Eugene looked Jessica up and down, displeased. "Coming to eat without washing up? What kind of behavior is that?"
"Did I say I came here to eat?" Jessica glanced at him. "What's your purpose of locking me up all day? Are those two bodyguards still outside? When do you plan to let me go? What do you want to do? Or what do you want me to do? Locking me up for no reason, what do you take me for? A small animal that won't resist?"
Linda acted as if she didn't hear Jessica's harsh words, calmly picking up her utensils to eat, as if nothing had happened.
Eugene seemed unaccustomed to Jessica's prickly attitude since last night. When she was a child, Jessica was indeed very tolerant at home. The night before the incident five years ago, she had smashed a wine bottle over his head and then fled the Jenner family. Other than that, he hadn't seen this rebellious side of Jessica.
He looked her over again and frowned. "I called you to eat. What are you thinking?"
"Yes, Jessica," Trinity's voice suddenly chimed in. "Since you weren't in trouble back then, you should have come straight home. You've been struggling outside for five years, and Dad finally found you. He just wants to have a family dinner together."
Trinity's voice was sweet and clear, sounding like she was trying to mediate the situation.
"Shut up!" Jessica was no longer willing to tolerate Trinity's lousy acting in front of her. She turned to looked at her impatiently. "Do you really think you're an award-winning actress? Have you ever looked in the mirror to see your acting skills? What are you trying to portray in front of me?"
"Jessica, why do you have to be so harsh? No matter what happened before, the Jenner family raised you. My parents are your parents, too. The things you went through back then were indeed messy. Dad was just disappointed in you and lost his temper. Now that he brought you back, he clearly wants the family to be together. If you hold a grudge and are unhappy, tell me later. Our parents are getting old; don't make things difficult for them."
"Trinity, enough!"
Eugene sternly interrupted, glaring coldly at Jessica. "You disrespectful thing. Trinity has just returned after working hard all night. Even if you're unhappy, don't affect her mood for dinner. Go wash up and sit down immediately!"
