Chapter 309 Am I Really Unable to Intervene?
The next day, the first of the New Year.
Even the film crew couldn't catch a break. Jessica had to shoot a few scenes, and Cherry showed up in the afternoon, saying she'd join Jessica for the perfume company's dinner that night. She also told Jessica to dress up nicely and not always go bare-faced after filming, reminding her to be more conscious of her status as a popular actress.
Cherry's nagging was just her usual way of finding fault.
But Jessica didn't seem to hear her. After finishing her scenes in the evening, she changed out of her costume and removed her makeup, staying bare-faced with no intention of putting any on, clearly ignoring Cherry's instructions.
Cherry walked into the trailer, saw Jessica changing clothes, and glanced at her face. She immediately said with displeasure, "Jessica, you should respect the advertisers. It's basic etiquette for a woman to wear makeup at any social event. Don't you get that?"
"Ugh, this shoot was brutal on my skin! The makeup was so heavy, and that fake scar stuff is making me break out. My face is super sensitive right now, anything I put on it is gonna cause a rash." Jessica said, turning to show her neck.
Cherry saw a slightly noticeable red patch on Jessica's fair neck where the scar makeup had been applied.
"Getting an allergy from special effects makeup? How delicate can you be and still be an actress?" Cherry mocked, then suddenly frowned at Zoey, who was helping Jessica with her coat. " Stop dawdling. Is Zoey still your only assistant?"
Jessica and Zoey were both stunned by her words.
Zoey didn't like Cherry but couldn't show it. "Yes, Ms. Wallace."
Jessica still called Cherry Ms. Wallace, and Zoey did the same, keeping a clear distance in their address.
Cherry looked Zoey up and down. "You seem too inexperienced to be an assistant to a top actress. Nowadays, it's too easy to become an assistant in the entertainment industry. You can just get a manager's certificate and start as an intern. If you're lucky, you can quickly climb up the ladder. But you seem too young. Star Entertainment has many artists now. How about I assign you to another artist? I'll arrange for a couple of more experienced assistants for Jessica."
Zoey looked incredulous. "Ms. Wallace, I don't..."
Jessica pressed Zoey's hand and turned to say, "No need. Zoey has been with me for a long time. Everyone starts as a newbie, right? At least she has a manager's certificate, which means she passed the proper exams to enter this industry. She follows the proper channels and takes good care of me. I don't need many assistants; having one who understands me is enough."
Cherry could easily catch the sarcasm in Jessica's words, hinting that Cherry had used connections to get her position and hadn't passed any exams before becoming a manager, relying solely on her relationship with Mr. Chen from Star Entertainment.
A few days ago, Jessica had been more restrained, not under Cherry's control but at least not openly mocking her.
Today, she seemed prickly, clearly looking for a fight instead.
"And as far as I know, although you're my manager now, the company only assigned you to handle my work schedule. My personal staff, including those provided by Mackenzie's studio, are my responsibility, not the company's. Please refrain from interfering with my arrangements," Jessica said calmly, her tone polite but her true feelings hidden.
After speaking, Jessica turned back to let Zoey help with her hair, ignoring Cherry.
Cherry stood at the trailer door, watching them coldly. "Jessica, even though I'm new as your manager, Mackenzie's studio has been dissolved. The staff will return to Star Entertainment for reassignment. Having only one assistant is not enough, and the bodyguards need to be replaced. This is all within my authority. Do you really think I can't interfere?"
Cherry sneered, "If I say Zoey has to go, she'll be out of Star Entertainment by tomorrow. Do you believe that?"
"Yeah," Jessica said without turning around, letting Zoey fix her hair. "Why don't you also ask the finance department to settle my pay and kick me out of Star Entertainment, too?"
Cherry paused, then laughed. ""Let's be real, even if you could cough up a huge amount of money, those contracts aren't going anywhere. You're stuck with us for now, whether I let you go or not."
Jessica said nothing more. Her hair was done, and she put on her coat, ready to leave.
Cherry was still displeased with Jessica's bare face, feeling disrespected. But the most frustrating part was that even without makeup, Jessica's face was still naturally beautiful under the hotel lights.
"Ms. Jenner, a pleasure to meet you," the product manager of the perfume company greeted them at the reserved room, shaking Jessica's hand warmly and leading them inside. He tried to put his hand on Jessica's waist, but she subtly avoided it, feeling uncomfortable even through her thick clothes.
Inside, the company's higher-ups were already seated. They called for the waiter to open the wine as soon as they arrived.
Seeing the table full of alcohol, Jessica knew it was wise to have informed Cynthia beforehand.
The collaboration with this perfume company was almost finalized, but Cherry's interference meant they had to meet in person. These people are likely banking on using New Year's Eve as an excuse to get her drunk and pressure her into signing the endorsement contract.
