From Flower Vase to Film Emperor in Hollywood

Poof! A burst of white light cascaded down, momentarily plunging the world into silver before it could even react, only to be swallowed by darkness due to the overwhelming glare.

A vast expanse of darkness, where one couldn't see their own hand, with only shimmering specks of light moving and leaping in the blackness, devoid of any discernible outline.

Simultaneously.

A cacophony of noise assaulted the eardrums. The clicking of camera shutters mingled with the clamorous roar of the crowd, tearing syllables apart into a frenzy of chaotic sounds.

So much so that the ears were unable to capture anything, even the buzzing disappeared, sinking into a silence beyond words, a strange sensation of being outside all sound despite the chaos.

Vision, gone.

Hearing, gone.

However, the sense of smell still detected a thick, burning odor in the air; the sense of touch still felt the scorching heat of the rolling waves dancing across the skin; and the sense of taste could even detect a faint metallic tang of blood.

Like the approach of a shark.

One second.

Just a brief second, like a heavy punch to the gut, causing all the internal organs to clench, making it impossible to move a foot.

Compared to this scene, Paris Fashion Week suddenly seemed like child's play. Truly, this was Los Angeles, displaying absolute power right from the start.

Even though they had anticipated this, they were still caught off guard.

Now Edgar finally understood what Eve meant by "encirclement."

Firstly, because of the Hexagon Club scandal.

Secondly, because of Paris Fashion Week.

Both events had stirred up unbelievable storms in North America, and both converged on Anson, creating a focal point.

And then, the media went wild.

Even Anson couldn't help but feel a little flustered and surprised in the face of such a scene.

When he was cyberbullied in his previous life, the attacks were all online. He could see them, feel them, experiencing a suffocating sense of being surrounded; but this was different. Everything felt so real, seeping into his body through his pores, with simultaneous sensations of impact and tearing.

Involuntarily, a wave of panic rose—

Past memories surged up again.

"Anson…"

"Anson!"

Edgar was shouting, his voice hoarse, but his words couldn't break through the encirclement. He could only tug on Anson's arm, preparing to leave the scene.

Not far away, Eve and the airport security team had also arrived. They were ready to escort Anson away. Regardless of how they would handle this situation later, leaving was the right thing to do now. There was no need to confront them head-on.

Then, head held high and chest out, he faced the tidal wave of flashing lights.

Edgar was completely dumbfounded, unable to believe what was happening before his eyes, but in a flash of insight, Edgar immediately made a judgment and a choice—

Trust Anson.

No matter the difficulty, no matter the situation, he would be Anson's support.

What was wrong with Anson?

Foolish?

No, of course not.

Anson knew exactly what these media wanted. He was the fish on the chopping board, with predatory eyes waiting to carve him up.

Anson could choose to leave the scene, and have the public relations team issue a statement, but the reporters obviously wouldn't believe it, and the paparazzi would then begin a long and endless chase, not stopping even when he entered the "Cat and Mouse" film crew.

Actually, Anson didn't mind this, as he wouldn't lose anything; but if he did, the focus on Matt would be shifted, and Winona would become another victim.

Regardless of the truth, Anson didn't think Winona should go through such a nightmare.

In his past life, when Anson was at his lowest, most lost, most helpless, and most lonely, how much he had wished that someone would stand up and tell him that everything would pass, even if it was just a word, it could become a light.

But he never met anyone.

And now, he hoped to say those words to Winona: Everything will pass, even if it always seems that the threshold can never be crossed, but reality is not so, it will eventually pass.

So, Anson made another choice, to stay and face the media.

There was no need to play hide-and-seek, just face-to-face confrontation.

So what if there was a storm?

Not far away, Eve led the security team, struggling to push into the crowd, a series of bumps, chaos, and pulls, they finally got in.

However.

Eve looked at the figure who was generous and bathed in the overwhelming flashing lights, and couldn't help but be stunned, but then, a smile climbed to the corner of her mouth:

This guy, sure enough, is extraordinary.

Without embarrassment, without panic, and without unease, the upright and calm appearance has a kind of power to laugh at the situation, but instead, the crowded reporters in front of him seemed chaotic, ugly, and cramped.

Click. Click click click click.

The overwhelming flashlights were all-pervasive and firmly enveloped Anson, but slowly, slowly calmed down, one or two realized something was wrong.

According to common sense, Anson should run away, fleeing in embarrassment, so they needed to seize the opportunity to press the shutter button as soon as possible, and grab news pictures as much as possible before Anson escaped, but now that the person concerned was standing in front of them, their constant pressing of the shutter button to waste film seemed like being a fool with too much money.

Shamefully, the shutter slowed down; even the voice of questioning calmed down.

The exit of the hall was finally a little quieter, and at this time, it was possible to see clearly that the dark mass should have about three hundred reporters, not too many, but very impressive, people crowded together.

And then—

"Why don't you run?"

In the crowd, a voice rang out. Although the wording was rough, it made a lot of sense, and other reporters showed smiles.

Anson shrugged lightly, "Because it looks like there's nowhere to escape. For the sake of Los Angeles city traffic safety, we don't need to stage 'Fast and Furious', do you think?"

What kind of answer was this again?

But it was a little funny, what was going on?

A smile climbed to the corner of his mouth, Anson scanned the audience, "Wait, are you waiting for me? I shouldn't have made a mistake, Tom Cruise or Brad Pitt is standing behind admiring this skit, right?"

Ha, haha.

A burst of laughter.

Who could have imagined that in the face of such a scene, Anson would still be so calm?

Whales fighting, but a small shrimp standing in the front, facing the stormy waves and controlling the situation, is this normal?

It seems that many people should have forgotten, after the cameo in "Friends", the first time Anson really entered the public eye, the studio siege?

Silently, Anson had firmly grasped the initiative of this meeting, "So, everyone gathered here, shouldn't be to congratulate me on winning an Oscar nomination, right?"

Full laughter, the atmosphere completely relaxed.

"No, it's not," someone in the crowd responded.

Anson spread his hands regretfully, "Okay, I also know the chances are slim. 'The Princess Diaries' is still forced."

Another burst of laughter, and then the reporter finally couldn't help but throw out a bombshell.

"What is your relationship with Winona Ryder? Are you dating?"