Chapter 358 Only Then Would Gabriel Completely Abandon
Nicholas was still there, leaning casually against the black Bentley, looking in her direction, clearly waiting for her.
Jessica glanced at him before walking toward him. "I thought you had already left."
Nicholas looked at her as if she were an idiot. "Do I look like that kind of person? I promised to give you a ride, so I will."
"There's really no need. My assistant can drive me. It's not necessary."
Seeing her determined attitude to distance herself from all familiar relationships, Nicholas raised an eyebrow coldly. "Do you know how I managed to get this car out today?"
Jessica turned her head away, uninterested in discussing something irrelevant to her.
"Gabriel hasn't been back to the Harriman family for a long time. Except for a brief visit during Christmas, he hasn't returned, not even for Grandpa Harriman 's birthday. He didn't even call," Nicholas said flatly, "His relationship with Grandpa Harriman went south a year and a half ago, practically overnight."
Jessica glanced at him again.
"Do you really think he doesn't know what Grandpa Harriman talked to you about back then?" Nicholas suddenly sneered, "Even if he guessed, even if he knew, you blocked all the paths he paved for you by using the title of 'married'. You played it so ruthlessly. Do you find it particularly amusing?"
Nicholas continued, "Grandpa Harriman has been having chest pains these past few days, so Gabriel took some time to visit him, and I took the opportunity to drive his car out."
Jessica remained silent, just looking at him.
Nicholas sneered and glanced back. "It doesn't matter whether you get in the car or not. After all, it's Gabriel's car, and I doubt he wants you in it again. I'm just here to see how heartless you can be. And you certainly didn't disappoint me."
He opened the car door, not looking at her, his voice cold and distant. "I've always wondered what you did to make Gabriel cut you out from his life. Today, I finally understand."
Jessica stood quietly, expressionless, as if everything she had just heard had nothing to do with her, unable to shake her emotions.
It wasn't until the engine roared to life and the car sped away that she lowered her head, staring at her toes for so long that Zoey thought she was turning into a stone. Zoey quickly ran over to call her, and only then did she lift her head and get back into the car as if nothing had happened.
She dreamt of a vast, endless ocean. Jessica sank to the bottom, surrounded by the terror of the deep sea, swallowed by swirling whirlpools. She struggled desperately, seemingly seeing someone standing above the maelstrom, looking down at her indifferently. All she needed to do was reach out to him, and he could easily pull her out.
She called out to him silently, not knowing what she was saying, only seeing the coldness in his eyes as he watched her struggle.
She woke up with a start.
Jessica realized she was still in the car. Zoey was driving her home from the set, and she had fallen asleep, unable to withstand the exhaustion and menstrual cramps of the day.
"Jessica, you're awake." Zoey, driving, glanced at Jessica through the rearview mirror. "We're almost home."
Jessica looked out the window. It was already 8 PM, and the city lights of Xyleria were dazzling.
She opened the window and leaned out, letting the wind clear her mind.
Her stomach hurt, and she was hungry. Jessica asked Zoey to stop the car, and they went to a nearby, less crowded restaurant for some steak.
It was past 10 PM when Zoey, full and burping, went home alone. Jessica's place was nearby, so there was no need to drive her.
Recently, the weather had been hot, and there was a summer festival near Star Tower. The streets were lively at night, but after 10 PM, the stalls closed, and the crowds thinned, with the lights dimming.
Only a few small dessert shops in the alleys were still open.
Jessica, wearing a hat and mask, packed a box of donuts and some pretty candies for Danielle and was about to head home.
This area was quite bustling, but because it was so busy, a few old buildings couldn't be demolished due to high prices, making the alleys between them seem darker.
This alley would lead her to the street beneath Star Tower, and crossing the road from there would take her home.
As Jessica was about to reach the street under Star Tower, she felt someone whistling at her from the alley. She hesitated, instinctively lowering her hat brim to avoid being recognized by paparazzi who might follow her home and expose her address.
However, the whistling suddenly got closer, and someone patted her shoulder. "Alone, huh?"
Jessica froze for a moment, then quickly pulled a can of pepper spray from her bag.
An hour passed.
At the police station in the Xyleria neighborhood.
The harsh light shone on Jessica's face, and Wayne, sitting beside her, squinted against the glare, looking helpless.
Jessica said, "I was buying something inside, and when I came out, those punks started harassing me. There were many of them, and I only had a can of pepper spray. I couldn't fight them off, so I grabbed a brick from the roadside and hit them on the head. Even if they got hurt, it was self-defense."
Wayne added, "I was just driving by and saw a familiar face running in panic, so I got out to help. I grabbed an old bumper from my car, not expecting her to beat those guys so badly."
Jessica's mouth twitched. "Do you know how much stronger a woman can be when she's fighting for her life?"
After the danger she faced in Sunshine Bay City, she had made a point of learning some real fighting skills from the stunt director on set, especially how to use swords and sticks to hit the most vulnerable and painful spots.
Wayne replied, "I learned that today."
After being forced to give statements, Jessica and Wayne were released but had to wait for someone to bail them out.
Jessica called Mackenzie. She felt too embarrassed to ask Lynn for help, so she had to trouble Mackenzie in the middle of the night.
Wayne asked her, "Who's coming to bail you out?"
"Mackenzie," Jessica replied succinctly, glancing at Wayne. She hadn't expected to see him driving by tonight, and she had already thanked him in the interrogation room.
She continued the conversation, asking, "What about you? Who's bailing you out?"
Wayne was about to answer when his phone rang. He quickly answered, "Mr. Harriman."
