The return of Lucas Knight to Los Angeles spread like wildfire, and many fans were eager to catch a glimpse of what they were calling "Chubby Lucas." Surprisingly, a large number of his fans had embraced the look. Social media was filled with adoring comments on his recent photos:
"He's still so handsome! Honestly, chubby Lucas has a charm of his own."
"Being a little round just makes him cuter. He's literally the definition of chubby and irresistible."
"If Jennifer dumps him just because of a few extra pounds, I'll gladly take her place!"
These were the die-hard fans who saw Lucas as attractive no matter his size. But, naturally, not everyone felt the same. Some fans expressed concern, debating whether Lucas could still carry the same screen presence in future projects.
A brief war began online between "Team Fit Lucas" and "Team Chubby Lucas."
But then, everything changed—new photos of Lucas surfaced from Los Angeles. And in them, he wasn't chubby anymore. He was back to his sleek, fit form, effortlessly stylish and looking every bit the Hollywood heartthrob.
Headlines exploded:
"Lucas Knight's Post-Australia Transformation: Were Those Fat Photos Fake?"
"From Chubby to Cut in Days—Is Lucas Knight Even Human?"
Public reaction was immediate.
"Wait… wasn't he fat just a week ago? What kind of sorcery is this?!"
"I knew those photos were edited. No way someone drops that weight that fast."
"Maybe those pics were old? Or staged?"
Confusion rippled through social media. People couldn't believe the dramatic shift in such a short time.
Then, the original photographer from Australia who took the now-infamous chubby Lucas photos appeared in an interview to defend his credibility.
"I swear I took those shots just a week ago," he said. "The timestamp's right there on my camera. I couldn't have made a mistake."
The interviewer pressed, "So how do you explain how Lucas looks now? He's completely changed."
The photographer shook his head. "Beats me. If he's taking some miracle diet pill, I want it too. But all I can say is—I'm honestly impressed."
That interview only fueled the internet frenzy.
Memes went viral almost instantly. One post showed Lucas as Arthur from Joker, all skin and bones… then next panel, normal Lucas… then chubby Lucas… then, a week later, the ultra-fit heartthrob again.
Another meme read:
"Lucas Knight's metabolism needs to be studied by NASA."
Men online vented their envy in comments:
"Bro, I've been hitting the gym for six months and still look like a potato. Lucas drops weight in a damn week."
"This guy's not human. He's a genetically blessed alien."
"Life is unfair. I gain five pounds from just breathing near pizza, and this guy can shapeshift like it's nothing."
Whether they admired him or were just plain jealous, one thing was certain—Lucas Knight's transformation had once again shaken the internet.
However, while many people joked lightheartedly about Lucas's transformation, there was a louder, more bitter corner of the internet—haters who had been hoping to witness his downfall. The chubby photos had fueled their hopes, but now that Lucas was back to his fit self, their disappointment turned to frustration.
They grumbled in comment sections and forums:
"Damn it, I thought his golden era was finally over."
"Guess we'll have to wait a little longer to watch this pretty boy fall."
But reality was clear: Lucas Knight's career was nowhere near crumbling. If anything, it was reaching even greater heights.
Amid the chaos online, Lucas was unbothered—busy managing his businesses and enjoying a well-earned break in his personal life.
He had organized a private reunion party at his mansion, bringing together old friends like Liza, Leonard, and Samantha.
As they lounged by the pool with drinks in hand, Leonard looked around in awe. "Damn… this place is insane. I need a mansion like this."
Liza rolled her eyes. "You could've had one already if you joined me and Lucas in those business ventures. You passed on a goldmine."
Samantha smirked. "Leonard was too busy chasing dreams—and women."
Leonard shot her a mock glare. "Please. I'll have my own mansion soon enough. Just watch."
Lucas chuckled. "Well, when you do, make sure you hire a good architect—something fire-resistant. Wildfires in this area aren't just a rumor."
Leonard laughed. "Yeah, sure. And maybe I'll ask you to bless it so I can inherit your luck too."
The group burst into laughter—except Lucas, who just smirked quietly while sipping his drink.
Later, the conversation naturally shifted to his recent transformation.
"So how the hell did you do it?" Samantha asked. "You were like a completely different person in those photos."
Lucas leaned back. "Discipline. Routine. And maybe just a little bit of magic," he said playfully, earning amused groans from his friends.
Meanwhile, across town, not everyone was celebrating Lucas's success.
Katherine sat scrolling through her feed, her jaw tightening as post after post about her half-brother dominated her screen. Photos, articles, interviews—Lucas was everywhere.
"Tch… can't even escape his face on my damn timeline," she muttered bitterly.
Her eyes flicked with annoyance before a smirk curled on her lips. She picked up her phone and opened her message threads. She'd been in quiet contact with a few crew members from Lucas's last film shoot.
If she couldn't take him down herself, maybe she could stir the pot a little.
"Let's see how perfect he looks when his next movie leaks early," she whispered with a smug grin.
She knew what Lucas's fans didn't yet: he was playing Elvis Presley. And she was confident not everyone would be thrilled about that. Not all Elvis purists would be happy to see a young, modern superstar like Lucas portraying their iconic King of Rock and Roll.
And if the leak spread just right, it could cause enough controversy to rattle his golden momentum—even if only a little.
---
Jon stared at the message on his phone—sent directly by Katherine Knight, the daughter of a high-ranking Warner Bros. executive. Her words were clear: leak the photos. Leak the project. Cause a stir.
He leaned back in his chair, fingers twitching with uncertainty. His eyes drifted to the camera on his desk—the one holding dozens of behind-the-scenes shots of Lucas in his Elvis costume, and clips he'd secretly filmed during rehearsals and script readings. None had clear dialogue, but the visuals alone were more than enough to spark headlines.
His conscience gnawed at him.
"To repay him like this…" he muttered to himself.
His eyes landed on the Rolex sitting beside his phone—an elegant piece with a sleek silver dial, soft sapphire detailing, and an engraved LK emblem on the clasp. It was the Rolex LK-17 Heritage Edition, a limited release from January 2017, custom-designed to reflect Lucas's clean, humble, and classic aesthetic. A gift Lucas had handed to every crew member at wrap.
Jon sighed heavily.
He remembered Lucas always greeting the crew warmly on set, never acting superior, always thanking them after a scene. That wasn't just a celebrity gesture—it felt genuine.
But still… if he didn't leak it, someone else would. He knew there were others who already had the same idea. At least if he did it first, he'd get paid.
Reluctantly, he opened his contacts and began calling media outlets.
---
Days passed. The buzz over Lucas's chubby-to-hunk transformation began to die down. The memes slowed, the speculations faded, and for the first time in weeks, Lucas found a pocket of peace. He could finally take a quiet stroll on the street—security nearby, but the crowd more subdued.
Behind the scenes, Lucas was already back at work—this time, managing a long-planned collaboration between BTS and Marshmello.
He quietly arranged the group's arrival in New York, maintaining a low profile for security and privacy. When the BTS members landed, Lucas personally greeted them and brought them to the hotel where the meeting would take place.
Inside the suite, Christopher—now a global music sensation known to the world as Marshmello—waited, wearing his signature mask.
Lucas opened the door and led BTS in.
Christopher stood and turned toward the group. "So this is the band you've been hyping up?"
"Yeah," Lucas smiled, clapping a hand on his shoulder. "They're huge in Asia already. But I think it's only a matter of time before they blow up globally. That's why I set this up—your styles might actually click."
Christopher eyed the group. He wasn't skeptical out of prejudice—just cautious. "You really think an Asian group can make it big out here in the West? You know how the industry is…"
"I do," Lucas replied calmly. "But I also know talent when I see it. And more importantly—I know movement when I feel it. These guys aren't just singers. They're a storm coming."
Christopher didn't argue further. He'd learned long ago to trust Lucas's instincts—especially since Lucas had helped elevate his career, even when he was just an independent artist trying to find his way.
"Alright," Christopher said, nodding. "Let's make some noise, then."
Lucas smiled, watching the BTS members react with quiet excitement. Although most of them didn't fully understand English—except for Kim Namjoon—they could still feel the energy in the room.
The moment their eyes landed on Marshmello's signature mask, they began murmuring among themselves.
"Whoa… it's really him," one whispered, nudging the member beside him.
"I've only ever seen him in music videos… I never thought I'd meet him in person."
"Lucas and Marshmello in the same room? I'm kind of nervous."
"I don't think I'll ever get used to moments like this…"
Namjoon chuckled at his friends' whispers, amused by their starstruck reactions. But as the others continued admiring Marshmello from a distance, Namjoon's eyes studied him carefully.
There was something about the way Lucas interacted with Marshmello—so casual, so familiar.
'They definitely know each other well,' Namjoon thought. His gaze shifted back to Lucas. 'Does that mean… Lucas knows who's behind the mask?'
The realization flickered in his mind, but he didn't say anything. He simply smiled to himself and kept the thought to himself—for now.