Chapter 268 The Person Mr. Harriman Fancies
After all, five years ago, with the curtain in between, no one could see clearly.
Words alone were not enough, especially after five years; no one would believe it!
If Jessica made a big fuss, Trinity could sue her for defamation.
Because Jessica had no evidence to bring up what had happened five years ago, she had no choice but to take the blame for the dance plagiarism now.
What was this called for Jessica?
She was shooting herself in the foot.
When Trinity rushed to the event, she had a smile on her face the whole time, always confident and calm. The media on site were all observing her expression today and found that Trinity's aura was particularly strong, further confirming that Jessica was in the wrong for plagiarizing the dance moves.
Xyleria, the Harriman family.
What Jessica didn't know was that as the granddaughter-in-law favored by Michael, although he didn't mind Jessica's profession as an actress, he was very concerned about her character.
Michael, although not interested in the messy affairs of the entertainment industry, had recently learned that the drama Jessica starred in a few months ago was very popular and well-received. Jessica had been receiving a lot of praise recently, and Michael was quite proud until this news about plagiarism suddenly appeared.
Jessica's background had long been investigated by Michael. Even if the Jenner family refused to acknowledge her, she was still Eugene's daughter. Whether the Jenner family accepted her or not, the Harriman family didn't need a marriage alliance to strengthen their position. As Michael grew older, he cared less about such external reputations. If the Jenner family didn't care for her, the Harriman family could marry her and cherish her. It wasn't a big deal.
However, Jessica's character was something that had to be paid attention to.
Fred stood next to Michael, still holding his phone and playing the news about Jessica. There were all sorts of speculations and messy comments about Jessica's character.
Michael impatiently waved his hand. "Enough. I don't want to hear it."
Fred quickly turned off the sound and put the phone down.
Michael held a cup of coffee, slowly pushing the lid, letting the steam rise. He glanced at Fred, who was standing silently beside him, took a sip of tea, and then said, "Fred, what do you think?"
Fred, with a calm expression, said, "I don't know Ms. Jenner well, but I trust Mr. Gabriel Harriman's judgment. He wouldn't choose the wrong person."
Michael snorted, "Judgment is the least reliable thing. Even I can't see any room for maneuver in this situation. If we use force to suppress those voices, it will be useless, especially with this plagiarism issue. The Harriman family can't get involved."
Fred looked at Michael silently. "But I see you're not worried at all."
Michael put down the teacup. "It's Jessica's calmness after this incident that makes me think there might be more to it. Let's wait and see."
Fred nodded. "In just one day, things have escalated to this point, but Mr. Gabriel Harriman and Mr. Nicholas Harriman haven't spoken out yet. Mr. Gabriel Harriman is always prudent and unhurried, and he might have his own plans. But for Mr. Nicholas Harriman to remain silent, it must be because Jessica has handled it herself without needing the Harriman family's intervention."
Fred then chuckled. "The person Mr. Gabriel Harriman has set his sights on, can't be wrong."
Michael snorted, "I want to see what Jessica will do next."
At six in the evening, just as Jessica was about to have dinner with Danielle, Keegan called.
Everyone in the circle knew each other. She was an artist, and Keegan was the president of a listed entertainment company. It wasn't hard for him to get her phone number.
Receiving this call, Jessica was unfazed by the revelation.
"Jessica."
She looked at Danielle, who was happily eating steak, and said calmly to the person on the other end, "What's up?"
"Where are you?"
"Home."
Keegan paused for a moment and then said, "Blue Bay Apartments? Gabriel's place?"
Although many things hadn't been dug up by the media, Jessica's relationship with Gabriel, including her living at Blue Bay Apartments, was no longer a secret in certain circles.
Hearing no response from her, Keegan asked, "Would you be willing to come out and meet face to face?"
Jessica handed a child-sized fork to Danielle, paused for two seconds, and then agreed, "Time? Place?"
"Noma Restaurant on Central Avenue, in half an hour. Is that okay?"
Jessica looked at the time, then at Danielle, who was curiously looking up at her while eating steak, and said, "Okay."
Caroline hadn't left yet and stayed to draw with Danielle. Jessica changed her clothes and went out.
Five years had passed, and the few encounters since her return had all ended without any resolution. Each time, they had looked at each other coldly without exchanging a word.
But many things that weren't clarified back then needed to be resolved now. They were all adults, and there was nothing they couldn't face calmly.
Moreover, the dance substitution incident five years ago was caused by Keegan.
Whether Keegan wanted to speak for Trinity or just say something to her, this matter needed to be resolved at the right time.
Last time, Eugene almost sold her out, which reignited a long-buried seed in her heart. She wanted to quickly resolve everything related to the Jenner family and not drag it out any longer.
Central Avenue Noma Restaurant was a very famous Michelin three-star restaurant in Xyleria, but Jessica had no interest in admiring the service and dishes here. Keegan had reserved a quiet booth, and she walked straight over.
When she arrived, Keegan was already there, looking at the neon lights outside the window. Hearing the footsteps of the waiter leading Jessica over, he turned around.
Jessica was wearing a very warm off-white coat with a woolen hat on her head. It was clear she had just thrown on something warm to come out and hadn't bothered to dress up for him.
She had always been like this since she was a child. Trinity was as delicate and proud as a princess, while Jessica was quiet and unassuming, rarely drawing attention.
Back then, he was the only one who noticed Jessica hidden in the Jenner family villa. At that time, Jessica was only fifteen, punished by Eugene to stand outside all night in the rain. She stood soaking wet under a tree in the front yard of the Jenner family villa, her eyes as pure as a clear spring but calm and unruffled. Despite the severe punishment, there was no trace of grievance in her eyes. She seemed like a submissive girl, but in her indifferent attitude towards him, a stranger, there was a hidden stubbornness.
Just like now, despite the external criticism, she sat there calmly, no longer the seemingly naive girl,but a composed and unflappable young woman.
