Chapter 43 Figuring Out Who Lend Such a Big Hand
After draining her glass of juice, Jessica's smile brightened as she happily served more food to everyone. It was clear that Danielle shared the same sweet smile that made Gabriel instinctively want to protect this precious moment of happiness and joy.
Gabriel watched her radiant smile and unintentionally spaced out for a second, though it was only for a moment before he discreetly looked away. Still, Jessica's laughter-tinged voice lingered in his ears.
"Just two days ago, a big entertainment company tried to push someone into our cast, nearly replacing my role as the second female lead," Jessica revealed, her eyes twinkling through the steam of the beef stew. "Guess what happened? Out of the blue, some guardian angel appeared and wouldn't agree to the change."
Her excitement grew as she spoke, "I don't even know anyone at River View Pictures, much less Pegasus Global Holdings. Maybe Murdock, the producer, pulled some strings? He knows many investors, but that's just a guess. So, I still have no clue who this mysterious benefactor is, but my role is safe!"
Gabriel offered a smile. "Congratulations."
Jessica speared a piece of broccoli with her fork and brought it to her lips, then paused, pondering, "After we start filming, I'm determined to find out who went to such lengths to help me. It's like being saved from a fire!"
Gabriel raised an eyebrow. "Help from someone who is neither family nor a friend and whom you don't even know. What if his intentions are not honorable?"
Jessica fell silent.
She bit her fork lightly and finally said, "Do you think everyone's like you? Maybe they think I'm perfect for the role, and they can't stand to watch SH Entertainment blatantly try to take it. Stopping this kind of industry bullying is a courageous act—a chivalrous deed!"
Gabriel chuckled softly. "Is that so?"
"It has to be!" Jessica said confidently, pouring another glass of juice. "Cheers!"
Danielle hurriedly clinked her glass with her mommy's in agreement.
Gabriel picked up his glass of juice and lifted it slightly in Jessica’s direction as a return gesture for the toast.
On the day of the shoot, Jessica drove herself to the filming location.
Xyleria was a major city that, over a decade ago, built retro-style buildings in some of its outlying areas to boost tourism. Eventually, these sites began to attract film crews, and over time, they became one of the nation's well-known film and television bases.
The drive from the downtown area took approximately an hour and a half. Jessica, aiming to avoid traffic congestion, deliberately took the highway that circled the city, hoping to get there faster.
The road had less traffic because a segment ahead was being constructed. Although it was passable, the potholes in that road weren't very good, so there weren't too many cars along the way..
However, in her rearview mirror appeared a sleek, silver-gray Ferrari that seemed to be driven erratically. Its driver would speed up as if attempting to overtake, then slow down, and then suddenly accelerate past her. The speed changes were drastic; one moment, the driver treated the road like a racetrack and took risks at high speeds.
‘Could it be drunk driving? ’ Jessica wondered.
Jessica stepped on the gas, determined to leave the erratic Ferrari behind.
In the silver-gray Ferrari, Nicholas noticed the white Audi in front accelerating. His competitive spirit flared, and just as he was set to overtake, his cell phone rang. With a look of impatience, he answered the call, reluctantly slowing down, "Hello? Are you ever going to stop calling?"
