From Flower Vase to Film Emperor in Hollywood

"You're late." A voice came from ahead.

Edgar: ? ? ?

The scheduled time for this morning's work was 10:30 AM.

Edgar also knew the importance of today's job and dared not be negligent. Therefore, he told Anson that the working time was 10:15 AM, slightly earlier, to ensure they wouldn't be late and leave a bad first impression, which would be terrible.

However, what was going on now?

Subconsciously, Edgar looked down at his watch—

9:55 AM.

Edgar, not understanding the situation, looked up to find a clock on the wall. It also showed 9:55 AM, a full five minutes before ten o'clock.

So, late? How could that be possible!

His first reaction was to defend himself. Edgar needed to stand up for Anson; he absolutely couldn't take the blame.

But he didn't expect that Edgar would actually be a step slower.

"Sorry," Anson said directly.

Edgar's eyes widened, looking at Anson in disbelief, his head filled with question marks—

Not only apologizing, but doing so so decisively, without the slightest hesitation?

The signature bangs, unchanged for ten years, paired with standard-issue black sunglasses, cut off all eye contact, showing a high and mighty posture.

This was the famous fashion devil, Anna Wintour.

Rumor has it that the horror and cruelty shown in "The Devil Wears Prada" is only a small part of reality. The real Anna Wintour is even more ferocious, more terrifying, more cold-blooded, and more strict.

Neither Anson nor Edgar expected to see Anna Wintour face to face; even more unexpectedly, her first words were accusations.

Facing Anna Wintour, Edgar's first reaction was to protect Anson, regardless of the content of the accusation, as long as Anson wasn't hurt.

To say that Anna Wintour could dominate the fashion circle would be an exaggeration; but the reality wasn't far off. Offending Anna in the fashion circle was equivalent to ruining one's future. There probably wouldn't be much room for development here, and even the entertainment industry, such as movies and music, might be affected.

However, Anson's first reaction was... to apologize?

Edgar felt like crying. This kid was too honest.

Anna was also caught off guard.

Even with the sunglasses on, one could feel Anna's surprise. The eyebrows hidden behind the lenses lifted slightly, as if her thoughts were turning.

"Good," Anna said.

Without giving Anson a chance to explain, the matter was settled and finalized.

Edgar was a little flustered: They had clearly arrived at the shooting location thirty-five minutes early, but they were labeled as late. If the news got out, it would inevitably affect Anson's image, and Anson was still a newcomer.

What to do?

Edgar's brain started working at high speed.

Obviously, Edgar couldn't accuse Anna of talking nonsense, nor could he undermine Anson. Then the only choice was—

"Sorry, it's entirely my fault."

"My personal work arrangement was inappropriate. I thought there was still enough time to come to the studio, so I arranged another phone interview with someone in the United States, which delayed us."

In any case, this blame couldn't fall on Anson's shoulders, and he couldn't accuse Anna of fabricating things out of thin air; if a reasonable excuse was needed, work was undoubtedly the best choice.

Even though they weren't late at all, Edgar was already thinking: Which media outlet should they contact to fake a phone interview to patch up this excuse.

These words made Anna stop, look at Edgar, the corners of her mouth rising, and then look at Anson, "Really?"

Sunglasses were the best shield, no one could read Anna's eyes, and coupled with her sparing use of words, there was no way to judge the meaning of her words.

Everything fell into chaos.

Anson didn't rush to explain, but met Anna's gaze, spread his hands with sincerity, paused, and then brought the topic back to the main point, "The important thing is, I'm here now, we should start working."

This was an attitude of not preparing to argue.

Anna paused slightly, "You really believe you were late?"

Anson, "Being later than the editor-in-chief is being late, I think my understanding is correct."

Edgar: ...That works?

Anna was stunned, then the corners of her mouth rose, and she let out a low laugh. She was clearly not a laughing beauty. The slightly deep and hoarse voice surged from the depths of her throat, and one could immediately taste the damage from long-term smoking and drinking, but the joy and ease behind the laughter were real.

Anna, "You are an interesting fellow."

Anson said with a calm face, "That's why I was able to get this job."

Anna glanced at Anson again.

Anson, "Otherwise, with my acting experience, wanting to appear in 'Fashion' magazine would probably require waiting a while longer, let alone a feature story."

Sober, rational, objective... genuine.

Anna had seen countless actors, directors, models, and so-called superstars, but truthfully, she rarely saw such a character—

And he was only eighteen years old.

Anna revealed a little interest, but it was all hidden behind her sunglasses.

Anna didn't say anything more, and once again showed the fashion devil's decisiveness, "If you like to use your mouth, you should try to become a politician; otherwise, we better start working now, and what comes next won't be enough relying on just a mouth."

Sure enough, like the legends, Anna's capriciousness and unpredictability made her a feared figure in the editorial department of "Fashion" magazine; but Anna did have the ability to push "Fashion" magazine to its peak with her own hands.

Moreover, although "Fashion" magazine now has different versions all over the world, the American version helmed by Anna is still strong, maintaining a leading position from sales to reputation to influence, which also gives Anna an extraordinary position in the industry.

Arrogance and willfulness without strength are foolishness; but with strength, it's a different story.

Anna turned around and strode away.

In fact, even now, Anna was still not 100% sure about this topic; but Anna never lacked the spirit of exploration and adventure. She believed that "Fashion" needed to make some attempts and continue to lead the trend.

The encounter with Anson made the ideas in Anna's mind a little clearer. Although she was still unable to determine, Anna enjoyed this uncertain chaos and vagueness, which meant they were leaving the comfort zone.

Behind her, Edgar looked at Anson with disbelief—

Edgar wasn't afraid of Anna; but it had to be said that a big shot of Anna's level did require careful handling. As a result, their first meeting was so unconventional. Was that really okay?

On the contrary, Anson had a calm face, giving Edgar a gesture and a look, signaling him to rest assured:

In Anson's view, Anna chose him to cooperate on this topic because she was prepared to take risks, and they shouldn't and didn't need to continue playing it safe.

Occasionally deviating from the track is the only way to see a whole new world.