Chapter 25: Britney, the streamer
"Hey, Britney. Watch your words!" The man warns the girl called Britney.
Britney has been broadcasting for over three months and has gradually gained popularity in D'Tube. She is currently ranked top 20 online streamers, and she is invited in D'Tube Night, the celebration of of the top 30 online celebrities held at Silvio's mansion. She is renting an apartment in Manhattan.
"Britney, don't talk nonsense. He vot the key to the mansion. Of course, he is the owner!"
" Hey, uncle M. Look at his clothes." Britney glances at Silvio contemptuously. This month she already earns over three thousand dollars, which makes her gradually to look down on others.
Silvio watches the teenage girl approach, her eyes rolling in disbelief. "You think you're fooling anyone?" she smirks, crossing her arms. "No one dressed like that owns a mansion. You're just a nobody, aren't you?"
She adds, "Just now, we saw this man on a boat picking up garbage. An owner of such an island won't do such a menial job!"
Garbage picking? Silvio turns his head and realizes that Britney was among the girls who saw him fishing on the garbage on the lake. He only smiles.
The man in charge of the shoot glances between the girl and Silvio, uncertainty flickering in his eyes again. "Look, kid, I don’t know what game you're playing, but if you're not the owner, we could get into some serious trouble."
Silvio stays quiet for a moment, his calm gaze never leaving the girl’s face. “I don’t need to prove anything,” he says simply, turning the key in his hand. His words hang in the air, quiet yet unshakable, when the door to the mansion suddenly swings open.
A striking woman with flowing red hair steps out, her presence immediately commanding attention. Julia. Her eyes sweep over the scene before landing on Silvio. Without hesitation, she strides over, her voice sharp with confidence.
“What on earth is going on here?” she asks, looking pointedly at the crew and the girl who had been accusing Silvio. “Is there some reason you’re questioning the owner of this estate?”
The teenage girl falters, her earlier bravado fading. “The owner?” she repeats, clearly caught off guard.
Julia gives a dry laugh. “Yes, the owner. This man, Silvio Gesell, is the reason you’re even standing here today. And in case it’s not obvious, maybe you should learn not to judge someone just because they don’t flaunt their wealth.” Her eyes narrow as she turns to the girl. “Don’t be fooled by appearances. You’ll never know the real story unless you bother to ask.”
The man in charge clears his throat awkwardly. “Ah, Miss, we didn’t mean any harm. Just a misunderstanding.” He looks to Silvio with newfound respect. “Mr. Gesell, I apologize. We appreciate your generosity in letting us use your property.”
Silvio, unperturbed by the scene, gives a small nod. “It’s fine. Just make sure you respect the space.”
The teenage girl, now visibly embarrassed, takes a step back, mumbling under her breath, “I... I didn’t know.”
Julia crosses her arms, her gaze still fixed on the girl. “Maybe next time, you’ll think twice before making assumptions.”
As the girl hurries away, Julia turns back to Silvio, a smile playing on her lips. “You’re too patient with people.”
Silvio shrugs, glancing out at the lake. “It’s easier to let them think what they want.”
Julia shakes her head with a soft chuckle. “Still, you deserve better than that.”
The two share a brief, understanding look before Silvio turns to the film crew. “You can start setting up. I’ll be inside if you need me.”
The crew, now fully respectful, begin their preparations while Silvio heads back towards his mansion, with Julia walking beside him, the tension in the air dissipating.