Chapter 326 Termination of Contract
With the lawyer present, the termination process went off without a hitch.
However, in the last few days, several small accounts and trolls emerged online, spreading rumors. They kept saying Jessica didn't end her contract earlier because she wasn't famous enough and didn't have the money. Now that she's famous, they claim she wants out to climb the ladder.
These accounts also hinted that Jessica was aiming to join Harriman Entertainment after terminating the agreement. Harriman's official Instagram once joked about poaching her, and even though it seemed like a joke, it showed she had a good relationship with them. Jessica said she wanted out because of issues with Star Entertainment's contract, but people were saying she just wanted to switch companies and make it sound noble.
No one knew who hired these keyboard warriors, but for two days straight, this story spread across major entertainment forums. Fans defended her, and bystanders kept talking about it.
Mackenzie, who hadn't been in touch with Jessica because of company rules, called her about the contract termination and the online rumors, asking if she needed help clearing things up.
Jessica told her no, to enjoy her vacation and stay out of it.
Jessica hadn't really thought about joining Harriman Entertainment. Sure, if she went there, she'd have plenty of resources and a smooth path to fame, but she knew the online rumors would hurt both Harriman Entertainment and the Harriman Group. Even if her relationship with Gabriel went public later, Harriman Entertainment was just an investment company in the entertainment sector and had never trained any artists. If she joined, it would attract haters and lead to constant criticism of her acting skills, with people claiming she had a powerful backer.
She didn't want that.
Jessica thought she'd have to wait months for the court to end her contract with Star Entertainment. But after Star Entertainment went silent for a week, they chose to terminate the contract peacefully and even paid off the debts mentioned in the lawyer's demands.
Jessica didn't spend a dime on breach of contract fees and even got over a hundred thousand dollars.
Only when she noticed the Harriman Group's internal signature on the contract presented by Attorney Anderson did she realize Gabriel hadn't intervened directly, although everyone knew the lawyer was his man.
Cherry had seen Gabriel at the party that night, so how could she not tell Mr. Turner of Star Entertainment about it? Knowing Gabriel was backing Jessica, Star Entertainment didn't dare wait for a court ruling and chose to end the contract peacefully, giving both sides a way out.
The lawyer brought over the official termination documents already signed by the CEO of Star Entertainment. After Jessica reviewed them, she signed.
"The termination documents are effective upon signing. I'll get them notarized later," the lawyer said, putting two of the three copies back into his briefcase and smiling. "Congratulations, Ms. Jenner, you're free starting today."
Jessica quickly thanked him and went to shake his hand, but Attorney Anderson only touched her hand briefly before pulling back. After all, Mr. Harriman had specifically instructed him to take care of her, and he didn't want to risk his job by overstepping.
"Thank you, Attorney. I had prepared so many litigation documents myself, including evidence of contracts with other artists within Star Entertainment, and various other things beneficial to my claims, but none of them were used. You solved it so easily and much earlier than I expected. You truly are the best in Harriman Group's legal department. I admire and thank you!"
"The smooth process was attributed to the evidence you provided. Itsaved me a lot of time in gathering evidence. This is the result of our joint efforts. Ms. Jenner, although you are in the entertainment industry, you know how to protect your legal rights, which is very good."
After a few more polite exchanges, the attorney left. Jessica looked at the document left in front of her, flipped through it for a while, then took a photo with her phone and sent it to the small group chat with Mackenzie and Zoey.
Mackenzie: [So fast?]
Zoey: [Wow! That was quick!]
Jessica: [What are your thoughts now?]
Zoey: [I'm going to write my resignation letter right now! Wherever Jessica goes, I'll follow! Take me with you!]
Mackenzie: [I actually resigned a while ago. (Sigh)]
Jessica: [Zoey is planning to follow me. Mackenzie, won't you join us?]
Mackenzie: [Given your current situation, you should have a more professional and capable manager by your side. Aren't you planning to go to Harriman Entertainment? They don't have any artists yet, so if you go, you'll be the only one being promoted. Your business resources are already excellent, and with the company's support, you could be unstoppable. I've been considering a career change.]
Jessica: [I want to start my own studio and be my own boss. For now, I will be the only artist in the studio. As resources and profits grow over the years, I can sign other artists. Mackenzie, you can't change careers; my studio needs you.]
Starting her own studio wasn't a spur-of-the-moment idea for Jessica. She had considered it for a long time, but previously, she didn't have the fame, connections, or funds, and she was still under contract with the company, making it impossible to do so.
Now that she was free and had over two million dollars bribed from Gabriel, which was initially meant to pay the breach of contract fee, she not only didn't have to pay it but also gained over one hundred thousand dollars.
She planned to use this money to start her studio. This way, the income from acting in TV dramas and endorsements wouldn't be deducted or unfairly divided by the entertainment company, and she could quickly earn back this startup capital.
Jessica decided to tell Gabriel about her plan.
The Harriman Group.
Gabriel, dressed in a black shirt and pants, had just come out of the conference room. He saw Jessica's message on WhatsApp, paused for a moment, and then returned to the president's office.
Landon followed him into the office. Gabriel glanced at him and said, "Jessica doesn't plan to join any entertainment company. Starting a studio on her own with just twenty million dollars will make it difficult to develop smooth cooperation with various film industry investors. Help me invest in her studio under a different name, or you can do it through her former manager, Mackenzie."
"Okay."
"Also, Mackenzie can be the legal partner of her studio but is no longer suitable to be her manager. Arrange for a senior manager for Jessica and inform the industry that Jessica has the Harriman family behind her. They should know how to show the proper respect in any cooperation."
Landon nodded. "Understood."
