Chapter 455 The One and Only in This World
Deborah just couldn't bring herself to eat the cucumber. She poked at it a few times, forcing a smile that didn't quite reach her eyes, and avoided looking at Jessica. She really didn't want to get into any more awkward small talk that would just make her feel worse.
These days, Jessica wasn't just a big-name actress. That alone was enough to make people jealous. But now, she was also Mrs. Harriman, a title that seemed even more out of reach.
Even if Deborah was genuinely unhappy, saying more would only make things worse. Going after Jessica wouldn't do her any good.
People in the entertainment industry grew up too. Deborah might still be the same in some ways, but she had learned when to back off.
When a staff member from the design center knocked on the door to get her for the final fitting of her dress, she flashed a fake smile at Jessica, said goodbye, and got up to leave.
Jessica glanced at the fruit salad in front of her but didn't touch it again, leaning back against the sofa.
Seraphina had privately asked her, trying to be as understanding as possible, if Jessica had ever thought about leaving the entertainment industry. Seraphina didn't outright say Jessica's job was a problem. She knew Jessica had a good reputation and wouldn't be tainted by it. She believed Jessica could handle it well. But she also wanted to gradually introduce Jessica to the business world, hoping she'd eventually leave the entertainment scene.
Everyone thought Jessica had the Jenner family backing her. Even if she didn't go back, she had business smarts in her blood. Now that she was Gabriel's wife, she should be more involved in business affairs rather than continuing to hustle in the entertainment industry.
Gabriel, on the other hand, never pressured Jessica or set limits for her. Whenever she faced any problems, he let her handle them on her own. Even though he could easily fix them with a word or a nod, he still gave Jessica the chance to deal with them herself.
Gabriel's extreme indulgence towards Jessica sent a clear message: Jessica wasn't someone who hid behind others, waiting to be rescued.
She could rely on him whenever she wanted, and she had enough space to grow strong when she wanted to.
Jessica didn't need to be treated like fragile porcelain. She could be tough against all the hatred and loathing from her past and navigate the complex relationships in the entertainment industry smoothly. Jessica was one of a kind. She was his woman, but she was always free.
And Jessica definitely acted like it.
At 7 PM on Saturday, the Harriman family mansion was lit up inside and out. The place, already oozing with a sense of wealth and success, was filled with relatives and friends coming in one after another, with endless congratulations and chatter.
Even though Michael had retired early and it was now Gabriel's time to shine, with everyone in the business world admiring the Harriman Group's unstoppable growth in recent years, Michael had been a legend in the industry for decades. People, both inside and outside the circle, still held him in high regard.
Tonight's family banquet was mainly for relatives and close friends, with only a few long-term business partners invited. Michael emphasized that this was a special event for Jessica and Danielle, not a business meeting, so they limited the number of outsiders.
Jessica had already met many of the Harriman family's relatives and friends at Michael's birthday party, so this time, she wasn't a stranger to them.
The stars of the night were Jessica and Danielle. Having been in the entertainment industry for so long, Jessica knew how to handle herself perfectly in such situations. When Michael and Seraphina introduced her to the relatives, her graceful demeanor left no room for criticism.
As a result, some people who initially intended to offer superficial blessings turned their attention to Danielle.
To accommodate the guests and the final dining, Jessica had prepared two outfits. Danielle, being the apple of the Harriman family's eye, had three outfits prepared by Seraphina.
The first was a pink puffy dress paired with a stunning blue diamond tiara.
This wasn't just any tiara you'd see on little girls. It was a special gift from Seraphina, custom-made for Danielle, with real rare blue diamonds of various sizes.
The second outfit was a pink dress with cute hair accessories and various braids personally done by Seraphina.
The third outfit was a simple white dress with a small light blue flower on the shoulder strap. This pure dress made the six-year-old look innocent and lovely, contrasting with the grandeur of the other outfits and highlighting simplicity.
These three outfits prepared for Danielle were filled with Michael and Seraphina's best wishes. They wanted to give Danielle the best of everything while protecting her innocence from the taint of money and worldly matters, allowing her to live purely within the Harriman family.
Danielle, holding Michael's hand, obediently greeted the guests as Michael introduced her with a smile.
Hearing everyone's praise for the well-behaved and polite Danielle, Michael's face couldn't have been more proud and happy. His usually unsteady legs were walking briskly today, eager to introduce Danielle to everyone, saying, "This is Danielle, my lovely and adorable great-granddaughter."
Seeing Michael's almost smug expression, Seraphina couldn't be bothered to mock him. She occasionally took the opportunity to pull Danielle over to talk to her relatives, but within a few minutes, Michael would sneak over and take Danielle away again.
The family banquet had just begun, and the old couple almost argued on the spot over who got to hold Danielle's little hand. In the end, Michael reluctantly gave in, allowing Seraphina to hold Danielle a bit longer. But after just a few minutes, he hurriedly came over with candy, coaxing and tricking Danielle away again.
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