Chapter 343 Meet Gabriel Again
"Cousin? Since when ? From the way he talked, is he from Country W?" Mackenzie stood with Jessica in the restroom for a bit. Earlier, she had blocked Daniel's hand and scrubbed her own with a ton of soap, still feeling grossed out.
She glanced at Jessica again. "I've heard a lot of rich kids in Country W's business circles have messed-up private lives. Cousins, second cousins, they don't care. As long as they don't have kids, they do whatever. No wonder you felt sick. I almost puked myself."
Jessica was also washing her hands.
The cold water helped calm her down a bit.
Mackenzie dried her hands and said, "Ever since I found out you were Eugene's daughter, I knew you were connected to the Jenners in Country W. I mean, Xyleria Sunroy Group is practically their company, right?."
"But you never mentioned it, and you've been independent for so long, I didn't want to push. Hearing your cousin today, Daniel, right? No wonder you'd rather make it on your own than ask them for money."
Mackenzie handed Jessica a tissue from her bag.
Jessica wiped her hands and said, "Being part of a wealthy family sounds great, but there are a lot of spoiled brats. Whether it's the older generation or the younger ones, there are very few reliable people. The Jenners might be loaded, but if I wanted a dime from them, I'd have to pay thousand-fold price, maybe even my freedom.."
Mackenzie laughed and patted her shoulder. "Then let's not bother. We're doing well now, way better than when we started the studio a year and a half ago. Back then, how much money did we have combined? Now our studio's working capital and reserves have multiplied. We women should stand proudly on our own abilities."
Tired of the topic, Jessica ignored her and walked out of the restroom.
"Why are there so many people at the bottom of the stairs?" As they headed back to the exhibition hall on the first floor, they saw a crowd at the bottom of the stairs.
Two waiters carrying empty trays walked up and, hearing Mackenzie's question, said, "The organizers are inviting guests to take their seats. It's packed in here, so you might want to take the elevator in the middle of the corridor."
"Alright, let's take the elevator." Mackenzie grabbed Jessica's wrist and turned towards the corridor.
Jessica was checking a message from Lynn on her phone as they walked. When they reached the elevator, Mackenzie was about to press the down button when her phone rang. She accidentally pressed the up button while looking at her phone. Realizing her mistake, she pressed the down button, lighting up both buttons.
"Lynn wants me to go to HBD with her tomorrow," Jessica said after replying to Lynn's message.
"Go for it. Most of the gigs Lynn's been lining up for you are at HBD's film center. She probably has some good connections there," Mackenzie replied, checking her own messages. "Choosing Lynn as your agent was a smart move."
Mackenzie continued, "Even though the artists she managed before weren't famous, she's got great skills and solid industry connections. The two artists she previously managed were about to hit it big but messed up during a live broadcast, losing fans and getting a bad rep. No agent could save them. Since Lynn started working with you, your career's been thriving. You two make a great team."
Jessica smiled and glanced at the elevator. The hotel had over thirty floors.
There were six elevators, but they had been so engrossed in their conversation that they hadn't moved from this one. The elevator, which had been on the top floors, was now back on the first floor.
If they hadn't accidentally pressed the up button, they would have been in the elevator by now.
"However, while Lynn is a good agent, she's strict about your personal life and relationships. She hasn't even met Danielle a few times."
Before Mackenzie could finish, the elevator arrived on the second floor.
The doors opened to reveal two men inside.
Wayne suddenly met Jessica's gaze in the elevator and gave her a surprised look.
Jessica's gaze lingered for a moment on the other man, Gabriel, whose handsomeness was almost infuriating. She instinctively stepped back, not intending to enter the elevator.
Gabriel's black tailored pants and crisp shirt, without a single wrinkle, highlighted his distinguished status and understated elegance.
He stood in the elevator, his cold gaze falling on Jessica without a hint of familiarity or emotion. His eyes briefly swept over Jessica and Mackenzie, noting Jessica's step back.
Gabriel's expression remained unchanged, his eyes conveying a sense of distant coldness.
Mackenzie, after a few seconds of surprise, quickly said, "Sorry, we meant to go down. We pressed the wrong button. You go ahead."
Gabriel remained impassive, but Wayne quickly nodded politely. "Alright."
Wayne pressed the close button and stepped back beside Gabriel, as if nothing had happened and no one had been there.
In the past year and a half, Jessica's name hadn't become taboo, but as a big star, she was constantly in the news, with photos of her at events or filming new projects. The media coverage was relentless.
However, Landon had warned him not to mention Jessica in front of Mr. Harriman.
But Wayne couldn't help but think that Ms. Jenner looked quite good in a suit. He wondered if Mr. Harriman had noticed, but he didn't dare ask or say anything.
Standing in the elevator next to the silent and cold Gabriel, he felt a suffocating sense of thin air.
