Brad Pitt: ...
His smile stiffened slightly.
A gentle breeze blew under the lazy sun, typical of an ordinary winter afternoon in California. There was nothing unusual, and one couldn't help but want to bask in the golden light until the end of time.
However, the lack of abnormalities was, in itself, the biggest abnormality—
This wasn't just any afternoon; it was the Golden Globe Awards red carpet moment.
So, where were the cheers? The commotion? The flashing lights?
Something wasn't right.
When Brad got out of the car, the atmosphere on the red carpet felt off.
Listless, lazy, dazed.
It felt like a heatstroke; it was hard to focus and hard to breathe, as if he had entered a hazy blur and lost all sense of direction.
Brad looked toward the red carpet. The front part was mostly cleared and ready, with only a few sparse figures visible at the far end.
So, what was going on?
Had he really gotten heatstroke?
Brad looked up at the sky. The sun was already sinking, turning the sky into shades of orange. The heatwaves in the air were also settling down. There was no chance of heatstroke; in fact, once the wind picked up, the temperature would plummet.
None of this made sense.
Jennifer Aniston, a step behind, also got out of the car. She adjusted her hair, straightened her posture, and stood gracefully beside her husband, waiting for the photographers to capture their entrance.
However—
Nothing.
Well, not entirely nothing. A few weak flashes went off, but this was the real humiliation. It was like they were nobodies arriving at the scene.
Jennifer's smile stiffened a bit. She looked up at Brad, the pitiful sound of camera shutters echoing in their ears.
But clearly, Brad had no answers either.
Thankfully, it was only momentary.
Up ahead, Anson was already standing at the end of the red carpet, which meant the journalists and audience could no longer see him. Reluctantly, they averted their gazes, still lingering on the red carpet's end, eager to catch even a glimpse of that dazzling blue. But finally, they turned their attention back to the start of the red carpet.
Oh, Brad and Jennifer.
Surprise?
Of course.
No matter what, Brad and Jennifer were still the most influential and high-profile Hollywood couple in North America. There was no doubt about that. Seeing them appear to kick off the second half of the red carpet, the Golden Globes ceremony finally seemed to reach its climax.
Cheers, screams.
Flashes, shutters clicking.
A bit delayed, but the red carpet finally returned to its usual state.
Finally!
Brad and Jennifer refocused, subtly adjusting their breathing. They struck their familiar poses, ready to embrace the flashes and cheers.
However, an uncertainty lingered inside—
What just happened on the red carpet?
Why did it feel like the red carpet was hollow and empty?
Was it an illusion?
Although mobile phones were widespread by now, information was still mostly exchanged through texts and calls. Smartphones with more direct access to updates were not yet common. As a result, guests walking the red carpet didn't carry phones.
Naturally, sitting in the limousine, Brad and Jennifer hadn't gotten the latest updates and knew nothing of the storm ahead.
Brad was puzzled. Wasn't the first half of the red carpet just a warm-up? After the intermission, they chose to be the first to appear in the second half to ignite the energy and easily become the focus.
But in reality?
Was this normal?
Brad didn't understand, and neither did Jennifer.
In fact, instincts are often right.
Don't get it wrong; people still loved Brad and Jennifer. People still cheered unreservedly for this golden couple.
But, they were spent. After the outburst just moments ago, everyone had given their all. Now, they couldn't muster the same enthusiasm. They felt empty, shouting with a hollow energy they couldn't sustain.
Moreover, compared to Anson's stunning entrance just now, the golden couple's outfits seemed... bland, lacking highlights. They had the looks, but that was it.
Without comparison, there is no harm. The lack of surprise meant a lack of excitement. Without energy and spirit, the cheers and screams felt weak, like a fire burning without fuel.
Among the crowd, reporters exchanged glances and smirked.
What a... coincidence.
Two years ago, Brad and Jennifer, newlyweds at the time, attended the Emmy Awards for the first time after their wedding. They were undoubtedly the biggest highlight of the evening. However, Anson stole the show with his dazzling appearance.
Incredibly, after the ceremony, the main topic was Anson.
Two years later, Brad and Jennifer remained the focus of Hollywood. They attended the Golden Globes together, aiming to create a buzz following Anson. However, they were completely overshadowed. The audience's attention visibly wavered.
They saw Brad and Jennifer in front of them, but all they could think about was Anson.
Now, it was certain that Brad and Jennifer wouldn't like the truth.
Brad: Damn! Anson again? Is this guy haunting me?
Rumor had it that Brad later lashed out in the restroom of the Hilton Hotel, kicking over a trash can and accidentally smashing a mirror. Witnesses from the ceremony staff saw this and were warned to keep quiet, but the story still spread around Hollywood.
Back at the ceremony, Brad noticed Anson with a stiff expression, which was undeniable.
Anson, however, claimed innocence—
He had no idea.
He didn't intend to target anyone, especially not Brad and Jennifer. Although he wasn't friends with Brad, he and Jennifer got along reasonably well. They would nod and exchange greetings when they met.
Besides, even if Edgar knew Brad and Jennifer were set to be the first in the second half, Anson's appearance at the end of the first half was separated by an intermission. It wasn't something they could control.
From Edgar's perspective, they just arranged Anson to avoid a head-on clash.
Since this was Anson's first top-tier event after reaching the pyramid's summit, if they hastily tried to compete with other top stars, regardless of the outcome, it would look unseemly. However, they couldn't stop the media from stirring things up. Choosing to appear at the end of the first half was the best option after careful consideration.
It not only avoided conflict but also showed a certain grace.
The result was collateral damage neither Edgar nor Eve had anticipated.
For Anson, it was an unexpected benefit; for Brad and Jennifer, it was anything but pleasant. Brad, evidently, couldn't swallow this.
But Anson didn't know—
And even if he did, he wouldn't care.
Leaving the red carpet, leaving behind the cheers and screams, Anson noticed a figure.
That was...
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