1216-1220

Chapter 1216: The Year-End Rankings

In 2002, Spider-Man shattered records with an unstoppable force, while Catch Me If You Can achieved box-office success in spectacular fashion. Together, these films propelled Anson Wood to unprecedented heights, cementing his rise to the pinnacle of Hollywood.

However, within the industry, doubts lingered about Anson's star power. Many questioned how much of the box-office explosion could be credited to him, given the immense momentum behind both Spider-Man and Catch Me If You Can. Was it his talent or merely the power of the franchises? The industry believed the answer would come in 2004, with the release of Spider-Man 2.

But 2003 had other plans.

As the year closed, the North American year-end box-office rankings were unveiled, delivering surprises aplenty:

1. *Finding Nemo*: $339 million

2. *Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl*: $305 million

3. *The Matrix Reloaded*: $280 million

Although the overall performance was slightly weaker than the previous year, it remained a cause for celebration.

Particularly notable was Pirates of the Caribbean. Industry insiders had predicted it would be a disaster akin to Cutthroat Island or Waterworld. The movie was initially seen as a marketing tool for Disney’s theme park attraction, destined to flop. Instead, it became a cultural phenomenon, comparable in impact to the debut of Star Wars decades earlier.

Despite Spider-Man’s near-record-breaking box-office haul, Johnny Depp's meteoric rise seemed even more sensational. Why? The answer lies in cultural influence.

Spider-Man's success ultimately elevated the superhero genre, but Pirates of the Caribbean showcased Depp’s singular charm. Captain Jack Sparrow became an iconic character who resonated deeply with audiences, and this appeal reflected entirely on Depp himself.

This distinction—between character-driven success and actor-driven success—would later echo in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Fans adored the superheroes more than the actors portraying them. As a result, studios prioritized characters over actors, investing heavily in franchises but hesitating to pay premium salaries to stars.

In contrast, Depp’s career-defining performance exploded with twenty years of artistic buildup, earning him an Oscar nomination for Best Actor.

4. *The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King*: $249 million

5. *Bruce Almighty*: $242 million

6. *The Butterfly Effect*: $230 million

Among the top-ranking films, The Butterfly Effect stood out. With a modest production budget of just $10 million, it secured the sixth spot—astonishing for a low-budget movie.

Every other film in the top ten had production costs exceeding $100 million, with some, like Terminator 3, ballooning to $200 million. These films required massive box-office returns just to break even. The Butterfly Effect, however, achieved its success through sheer audience enthusiasm, marking a rare achievement in modern Hollywood.

This was the moment when doubts about Anson Wood's star power evaporated. Without the backing of a blockbuster franchise like Spider-Man, The Butterfly Effect still triumphed. It was a testament to Anson’s ability to carry a film entirely on his shoulders.

The verdict was in: *Anson Wood was officially Hollywood's top leading man.*

7. *X2: X-Men United*

8. *Elf*

9. *Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines*

10. *Bad Boys II*

The rankings also highlighted mixed outcomes for certain films. While Elf surpassed expectations, Terminator 3 and Bad Boys II failed to deliver sufficient returns despite massive investments. These results effectively ended their respective franchises until Hollywood’s nostalgia-driven revival years later.

Meanwhile, The Matrix Revolutions stumbled. Despite the $280 million earned by The Matrix Reloaded earlier in the year, the trilogy’s concluding chapter grossed only $139 million—a disastrous showing for a movie with a $150 million production budget.

However, the Matrix franchise found redemption in home video and rental markets, eventually becoming a sci-fi classic. This success later convinced Warner Bros. to greenlight a fourth installment nearly two decades later, despite a turbulent production process.

Beyond the top ten, Elephant, with its $7 million haul, secured the 38th spot—remarkable for a low-budget indie film without the benefit of Oscar nominations.

Globally, The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King reigned supreme, crossing the $1 billion mark and becoming the only film to do so in 2003. Its triumph marked a perfect conclusion to the epic trilogy and catapulted New Line Cinema to unprecedented prominence.

New Line Cinema’s winning streak extended beyond The Lord of the Rings. It also distributed Elf and The Butterfly Effect, further solidifying its reputation as the studio of the year.

And in the worldwide rankings, Anson Wood’s name appeared yet again—proof that his influence extended far beyond North America.

Hollywood had a new king.

*Chapter 1217: Two Paths*

New Line Cinema, a subsidiary of Warner Bros., has maintained its independence as a company but has aligned its market strategies with Warner Bros. over the years, especially during the holiday season. Finally, their collaboration has borne fruit.

During the 2003 holiday season, Elf, The Butterfly Effect, and The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King were released, igniting market enthusiasm across the board.

And the success wasn’t limited to North America—the films achieved great results globally as well.

Clearly, Warner Bros. had strategically positioned itself in the holiday market well in advance, which explains why it dominated Hollywood during the first decade of the new millennium.

In 2003, The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King stormed to the top as the year’s global box office champion. Following close behind were a series of blockbuster names.

Finding Nemo, The Matrix Reloaded, and Pirates of the Caribbean ranked second through fourth, each crossing the $500 million mark in global box office revenue.

Other hits like Bruce Almighty, The Butterfly Effect, The Last Samurai, Terminator 3, The Matrix Revolutions, and X2: X-Men United rounded out the top ten.

Among the numerous sequels, Terminator 3 stood out. Despite underperforming in North America, it managed to save face thanks to solid overseas performance.

Granted, the international box office numbers weren’t staggering, but they were enough to avoid complete failure. At least on paper and in headlines, the film retained some semblance of respectability.

However, The Butterfly Effect was a particularly striking exception, both in North America and globally.

All of Hollywood took notice of the film’s unexpected rise. Not only did it perform well domestically, but it also sparked a frenzy worldwide. With a modest $10 million budget, it managed to hold its own against Jim Carrey’s Bruce Almighty.

Does this mean Anson is now on par with Jim Carrey?

Maybe. Maybe not.

But one thing is certain: in terms of cost-effectiveness, Anson is leagues ahead.

Starting with The Princess Diaries, Anson consistently delivered returns that were several times—or even ten or twenty times—his films’ budgets. And this wasn’t just reflected in box office numbers but actual profits.

Even now, Anson hadn’t entered the “$20 Million Club,” nor had he set a firm asking price of $20 million, which might deter studios.

Look at Jim Carrey, Julia Roberts, and Leonardo DiCaprio. Their agents all stick firmly to one price:

“$20 million, or no discussion.”

It’s not that a $20 million salary is unacceptable; it’s their refusal to negotiate or collaborate that leaves a bitter taste.

Sometimes, it’s not about the money—it’s about pride.

Anson, however, was different.

In early 2003, Hollywood studios hesitated over whether to offer Anson a $20 million deal. By early 2004, Anson had made it clear he didn’t care about salary. Instead, he joined the Walk the Line cast with a light heart.

Given the choice, how could producers and studios refuse Anson?

In hindsight, Sony Columbia’s rejection of the Walk the Line project might have been a grave mistake. Whether Michael Lynton realized this is unknown.

Meanwhile, Hollywood actors and agents began pressuring William Morris Agency, demanding that Anson raise his asking price to $20 million.

If Anson continued breaking industry norms and adopting a laissez-faire attitude, how could other actors justify negotiating higher salaries?

The impact extended beyond the $20 Million Club.

Imagine an actor trying to secure a $10 million paycheck, only to be told by the studio:

“Anson is willing to work for the same price—why not hire him instead?” Or worse:

“Even Anson is lowering his fee; let’s renegotiate.”

In such scenarios, agents would be left without leverage.

Even William Morris Agency wasn’t immune to this pressure.

Within the agency, Edgar could feel the mounting tension—from competitors, from senior partners—all urging him to raise Anson’s quote and officially place him in the $20 Million Club. This was something Edgar had never anticipated.

As expected, the harder they chased the goal, the more elusive it seemed. But once they relaxed and let things unfold naturally, everything fell into place. Now, everyone was pushing Anson toward the $20 million mark.

It was a rare phenomenon.

Thus, the buzz surrounding "Oscars vs. Anson vs. Grammys" arose against this backdrop, no wonder Hollywood was in a frenzy.

With box office success in one hand and acclaim in the other, Hollywood might still see Anson as a pretty face. But to the general public, who cares about such labels?

Just like Leonardo.

Hollywood may still view him as a heartthrob, a clown, an idol. The influence of Titanic is deeply ingrained. But audiences don’t care—they’ll cheer for him regardless.

Anson was now in a similar position.

Even if Anson remained laid-back and indifferent, countless people were eager to push him to the next level—to the top tier of Hollywood stardom. They wanted him to compete with the heavyweights and not disrupt the rules by playing in the same arena as the lightweights.

However, there was a subtle difference between Leonardo and Anson.

Leonardo chose to follow the industry’s rules, using the Academy’s game plan to enter the next phase of his career. He partnered with Martin Scorsese.

Anson, on the other hand, stayed outside the Academy’s system, carving out his own path, exploring uncharted territory.

For now, no one could predict who was right or wrong—not even Anson himself. Many things had already changed compared to his past experiences, and only time could provide answers.

But Anson didn’t care.

He neither had the time nor energy to care.

His entire focus was on rehearsing for the Grammys with his band.

This performance was significant.

It wasn’t just a live broadcast—it was unlike any of their past performances.

The audience would be filled with industry professionals, and the band had to perform live. There would be no room for error. Every note would be scrutinized by critical and professional eyes.

Moreover, this would be the band’s first formal and grand performance—possibly their last.

When Anson reunited with his bandmates, they had all grown and changed. They sincerely hoped to savor this moment and bring closure to their shared memories.

So, Anson had no time to engage in Hollywood’s politics.

The performance was his sole priority.

One night. One performance. One chapter of youth. That was all.

Amid intense rehearsals and preparation, time flew by, and the Grammy Awards arrived in the blink of an eye.

(End of Chapter)

*Chapter 1218: The Hall of Music*

Deep breath. Another deep breath.

Still, Miles couldn't contain his excitement and exhilaration. It felt surreal that the August 31st Band had earned a Grammy nomination and even more unbelievable that they were about to perform live on the Grammy stage.

In some ways, the performance thrilled Miles more than the nomination itself.

Unlike Carnegie Hall, this time, his cello was stepping onto the pinnacle of the pop music world. A mix of excitement, nervousness, joy, and anxiety churned within him. He stared out the car window, hoping to distract himself, but he couldn’t shake the anticipation.

Turning, Miles looked at Lily and whispered, “Can you believe we’re about to perform at the Grammys?”

Lily took a deep breath herself. “Honestly, I can’t even believe we’re sitting in a stretch limo right now.”

Their whispered conversation, though hushed, was audible throughout the car, drawing a smile from Anson, seated directly across from them.

“You two better start believing it because the performance begins in two hours. And just me and Connor won’t cut it.”

“Right, Connor?”

Anson turned to Connor, sitting nearby. After a brief delay, Connor realized everyone was looking at him and hastily turned his gaze toward the car’s ceiling.

Lily squinted. “Wait… Connor, are you crying?”

Connor remained silent, staring at the ceiling. After a moment’s pause, he lowered his head, his voice choked with emotion.

“This might be… our last performance together…”

His words trailed off as he swallowed his tears.

Miles, Lily, and Anson exchanged glances, then burst into laughter in unison.

“Haha, hahahaha!”

Connor watched them, his expression full of grievance, his shoulders slumping in sadness.

Since parting ways in Europe that June, Lily, Miles, and Connor had continued their travels, their wandering spirit undiminished. Most importantly, they had kept performing.

Not under the name August 31st Band. No media attention. No fan frenzy. They had returned to the life of busking on New York’s streets, where music was once again their sole focus.

Surprisingly, this had brought them connections in Europe’s underground music scene. Rediscovering the essence of music and the joy of pursuing dreams, they found themselves immersed in a shared passion. They were even searching for a new lead vocalist, hoping to continue their performances.

Reuniting for the Grammys made their growth apparent—not just the sun-kissed bronze glow from the Mediterranean, but an inner vitality and ease. While Anson forged ahead in his career, the others pursued dreams in their own way.

As Connor had said, this might be the August 31st Band’s final performance, a perfect finale to their glittering journey.

The bittersweet emotion was inevitable—not merely sadness, but also happiness, fulfillment, and nostalgia. Words felt inadequate to express the whirlwind of feelings.

Anson understood but had a slightly different perspective from Connor.

“Connor, this is also August 31st Band’s first official performance.”

His words left the others stunned.

Indeed, after forming the band and touring Europe, they had remained street performers, never stepping onto a formal stage.

Lily chimed in, “What about The Tonight Show?”

Miles replied instinctively, “That was before we became a band; the name August 31st didn’t even exist yet.”

Thinking it through, the Grammys truly were their debut.

Connor sighed wistfully. “Wow, it really is as fleeting as summer.”

Anson chuckled. “On the flip side, how many bands or artists debut on the Grammy stage? This is an honor.”

“And it’s also a beginning. Who knows? Maybe in the future, your concert will invite me as a guest, reuniting August 31st. Or we might team up for a festival performance, extending this summer’s glow.”

“We’re still chasing dreams. This isn’t a goodbye; it’s a reunion.”

“So instead of mourning the end, let’s celebrate the happiness we’ve shared and show the world the brilliance of summer. That’s why we named the band August 31st, right?”

Confident. Composed.

Bright and reassuring, Anson remained his magnetic self.

Connor wiped his face with his hand. “You’re right. We should enjoy this!” But as soon as he spoke, his nasal tone betrayed his emotional state. Realizing this, he widened his eyes in mock despair. “How am I supposed to face people looking like this?”

Anson looked apologetic. “The reporters might think we bullied you, the big guy.”

“Pfft.”

Lily couldn’t hold back, her earlier tears retreating in laughter. “Like anyone could bully someone your size.”

Anson and Miles burst into hearty laughter, Miles laughing so hard it seemed he was hiding his own awkwardness behind the mirth.

Meanwhile, Connor was too busy worrying, glancing at Anson with a serious expression. “Do my eyes look puffy? What if the photos show this? I don’t want my family seeing me like this.”

Anson shrugged. “Tell them you caught pink eye.”

Connor: “…Anson Wood!”

Lily laughed uncontrollably, rummaging through her small silver clutch bag. “Now you see why women always carry a purse.”

Connor looked skeptical. “What could you possibly fit in such a tiny bag?”

Lily didn’t answer, only flashing a mysterious smile.

---

The Staples Center, known as the home of the NBA’s Los Angeles Lakers, was now transformed into a venue befitting the 46th Grammy Awards.

The arena was unrecognizable, meticulously decorated for the ceremony. Fans crowded outside, blocking every entrance, their cheers deafening as they welcomed music’s biggest stars.

This year’s Grammys were especially captivating:

Beyoncé, 50 Cent, and August 31st Band represented fresh, rising talent. Meanwhile, superstars like Eminem, Justin Timberlake, Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera, Jay-Z, and U2 graced the event, creating a constellation of brilliance.

The red carpet buzzed with excitement, every arrival greeted by raucous cheers. Unlike the film industry’s aloofness, the Grammys celebrated uninhibited joy, with everyone embracing the festive spirit.

Then, another stretch limo rolled to a stop at the carpet’s entrance.

(Chapter Ends)

*Chapter 1219: A Wild Horse Unleashed*

Ahhh! Ahhh!

“Who was that just now?”

“I don’t know, but wasn’t he absolutely stunning?”

“Yes, yes, I totally agree! Ahh!”

Outside the Staples Center, waves of heat erupted, endless and unstoppable.

Even an unknown singer stepping onto the scene—perhaps just someone from the music industry, like a producer or a manager—could ignite the crowd’s enthusiasm. They roared incessantly, turning the Staples Center into a carnival in the blink of an eye.

Don’t know who it is?

No problem. Just scream first and figure it out later.

Ahhh! Ahhh!

The cheers surged, overwhelming everything in their path.

Then, another sleek black limousine slowly pulled up. The crowd at the red carpet’s entrance turned their eyes toward it, hearts pounding uncontrollably.

Who could it be this time?

Click. The car door opened. A leg, slightly hesitant, peeked out from under the slit of a black evening gown. The figure stepped onto the red carpet with an air of timid nervousness.

Who… is that?

For a moment, no one could place the face. Even after searching their memories, it was a blank. But that wasn’t unusual—

Singers are different from actors. Movies rely on visuals for the final experience, while music immerses through sound alone. It’s not uncommon for people not to recognize a singer’s face or even know their name—until the music starts playing, and realization dawns.

Because of this, the crowd was determined not to miss any surprises. Whether they recognized the person or not, applause and cheers erupted in advance.

Ahh! Ahhh!

The atmosphere remained lively, never missing a beat.

Then, a man in a sharp suit stepped out—

So, was he a manager? Or a band member?

After him, a second man in a black suit appeared.

The first black suit exuded elegance and charm, while the second, tall and broad-shouldered, looked imposing and rugged. Interestingly, the second man’s eyes were slightly red, with faint traces of powder trying to conceal it—a comical contrast to his towering figure.

But even this wasn’t the end.

A third man in black emerged, as if by magic.

Habitually, the audience clapped and cheered in welcome. But inadvertently, their gaze brushed over the third figure, only to snap back, unable to look away.

Wait, that’s—

The black suit was indeed black, but the material was unique.

The trousers seemed to shimmer between leather and silk, reflecting specks of starlight as he moved.

The jacket, made of smooth, fine silk, broke all conventions. It didn’t follow the traditional hip-length design, stopping instead at the waist—shorter than expected—revealing a firm, toned midsection.

Beneath the jacket wasn’t a shirt but a black, round-neck silk tee. The draping fabric and loose neckline revealed glimpses of collarbones and chest, exuding not just allure but a dangerous kind of seduction.

A silk ribbon loosely hung around his neck, resembling a tie yet falling somewhere between a necklace and a choker, adding an air of deadly charm. One glance was enough to make hearts race and faces flush.

His entire ensemble was black, with the sole exception of his footwear: a pair of casual white sneakers. Light and carefree, they disrupted the dangerous vibe in the most unconventional way, culminating in a look that screamed unrestrained confidence and rebellious charm.

One look—just one—and no one could tear their eyes away.

For a fleeting moment, breath caught.

There was a brief lapse, a stunned silence, as no one could quite believe their eyes or comprehend what was happening. The entrance to the Staples Center seemed to freeze in time.

Even the three people who had just stepped out of the car looked puzzled, glancing at each other in confusion. The burly man instinctively rubbed his eyes, worried that his embarrassment might show.

When their gaze shifted to the last person, the crowd’s restrained fervor exploded.

In an instant, the silence was obliterated. A tidal wave of sound surged, breaking past all barriers, plunging the world into a vortex of chaos.

The roar climbed, higher and higher, shattering all limits. Before anyone could blink, it had reached its peak, leaving only an elongated hum echoing at the edge of hearing.

Buzz.  

Faces in the crowd, twisted with fervor, appeared vividly in the view. Flushed cheeks, bulging veins, and voices pushed to their limits conveyed boundless energy. Even without sound, the visual impact was deafening.

Yet, in the auditory world, there was only silence—except for the persistent buzzing. Hearts pounded wildly, the thundering echo reverberating in the soul and stirring an endless storm.

Not just the audience—other guests and media on the red carpet also fell under the spell, one by one turning reflexively toward the entrance, searching for the source amidst the crowd.

It wasn’t hard to find.

The target: Anson Wood.  

Who else could it be but Anson?

In that moment, they recalled Anna Wintour’s words: “Dior without Anson is like a soul without a body.”

What Anson wore was, indeed, Dior—a creation personally designed by Hedi Slimane.

Since this was the Grammys, the atmosphere allowed for more individual expression and musical flair. Free from traditional constraints, Anson opted out of the usual shirt, giving Hedi more room to craft something extraordinary.

From the fabric to the silhouette to the tailoring, everything was perfection.

Anson elevated Dior, and Dior elevated Anson.

It was impossible to imagine what the Oscars had missed out on.

Finally, the red carpet woke from its stupor—

With Anson here, it could only mean one thing: these four individuals were none other than August 31st.  

Over the past year, August 31st had dominated the scene, even eclipsing icons like Beyoncé and 50 Cent. Yet, aside from a single appearance on The Tonight Show, the band had never performed formally anywhere. Fans had been waiting endlessly for this moment.

And now, at last, it had arrived.

The energy ignited by Anson reached an unimaginable height, tearing through all restraints. The roar of the crowd intensified, shaking the Staples Center to its core, showcasing the sheer presence of August 31st.

Ahhh! Ahhh!

And the frenzy only escalated, showing no signs of stopping.

Anson took a step forward, patting his three bandmates on the shoulders. Watching their slack-jawed, wide-eyed expressions, he smiled and made an inviting gesture:

“Welcome to the Grammys. This is August 31st’s grand debut.”

(End of Chapter)  

*Chapter 1220: First Appearance*

Movie premieres. Cannes Film Festival. Paris Fashion Week. Fashion magazine covers. Emmy Awards and Golden Globe ceremonies.

And so on.

People have seen Anson Wood in different styles and settings. Time and again, when people repeat the word "vase"—whether in a positive or negative light—the core of the comment is always the same:

Acknowledging Anson's physical charm.

Over the years, people have witnessed Anson's various images and qualities, and have naturally formed a stereotype:

They’ve seen “all” of Anson.

After all, a vase only has an appearance; and usually, it's a standard one. Lacking a soul, no matter how beautiful the features, it's still devoid of life. It can’t withstand scrutiny, nor can it stand up to prolonged inspection. Eventually, it just becomes unremarkable.

Inevitably, vases need constant updates.

At the core, humans always prefer the new and dismiss the old.

But Anson is different.

Again and again, Anson always manages to surprise—

Dashing. Uninhibited. Deadly. Sexy. Wild.

The Anson before them is irresistible. Their hearts race as if thunder is pounding on their eardrums, and the world begins to spin rapidly.

Their mouth goes dry.

Ahhh, ahhh—one by one, the shouts turn into uncontrollable screams, the brain goes blank, and only the screams can express the overwhelming emotions inside.

Surrounded by the frenzy, Anson remains calm, walking down the red carpet, smiling, and waving to the crowd.

Ah!

Screams, uncontrollable.

In the next moment, a figure collapses.

Anson is startled. This kind of accident in a densely packed crowd is the worst possible situation. He hurries forward to help.

Fortunately, the surrounding crowd instinctively supports the person, preventing a fall.

Before any trampling incident happens, the girl catches her breath and wakes up, seeing Anson right in front of her. Her face turns into an expression of shock—

Wide eyes, mouth open, with her round eyes, round mouth, and round face.

Then, “A...”

Silent screaming.

Though no sound comes from her, you can hear the deep, frantic cry of her soul.

Anson can't help but laugh, spreading his arms and politely asking, “May I give you a hug?”

Before the question is even finished, the girl suddenly throws herself into Anson's arms, tightly hugging him with all her strength, losing herself in the moment.

When the hug ends, the girl’s cheeks blush, and she shyly looks at Anson.

Anson bursts into hearty laughter.

Turning around, Anson notices his three companions, stunned and unsure of what to do.

At this moment, Anson realizes that although they've experienced the vast crowds of Paris, they had never truly seen a spectacle of this scale.

It reminds him of how he felt the first time he stepped onto the red carpet.

Anson turns back, waving to Lily, Miles, and Connor to step forward. With Anson’s company, the three of them finally muster some courage.

They awkwardly and stiffly, but with undeniable excitement, move forward, and for a moment, the entire red carpet seems to come alive.

“Anson!” The calls flood their ears, and what’s truly astonishing is that people really recognize the other members of the band.

“Lily, Lily, you’re so beautiful!”

“Ahhh, Miles, I want to have your babies!”

“Connor, look at me, Connor! Over here!”

Cheers, screams, and frenzy fill the air.

In this moment, the popularity of the band August 31st finally feels tangible, more real than the numbers on charts or Grammy nominations. It’s as if the heat from the crowd can be felt on their skin.

The Staples Center has completely lost its mind.

It’s a shame that Anson won’t be seen on the Oscar red carpet this year, but everything is made up for tonight—Grammy Awards are enough.

The overwhelming frenzy even leaves the red carpet host in a bit of a mess.

The CBS TV network, which is broadcasting live, doesn’t want to miss the highlight of the night, so they quickly intercept the band on the red carpet.

However, the constant screaming and shouting make it difficult to conduct an interview, even with earplugs. The layers of noise are overwhelming.

The conversation is fragmented.

It’s a bit awkward but also kind of funny.

Then the host notices that, tonight, the band’s main spokesperson is Miles, which piques her interest. She looks at Anson.

“You seem a bit quiet tonight?”

Anson calmly replies, “It’s best for outsiders to stay quiet.”

Laughter erupts around them, but the host turns the focus back to Anson, as the director behind the CBS broadcast refuses to miss this ratings opportunity.

The host looks Anson up and down. “Can I ask, who styled your outfit tonight?”

Connor, looking confused, mumbles, “It’s Anson’s. Who else?”

This moment is captured on live broadcast, causing the audience to burst into laughter online.

Anson doesn’t hear Connor’s comment. “Phew, I was wondering how to bring this up. This outfit is by Eddie Sliman. It’s perfect. My mission for tonight is complete.”

The host smiles. “I thought your most important task tonight was the band’s debut?”

Anson casually shrugs. “My task quota is used up. The rest is on them.”

With that, Anson gives his companions a look of eager anticipation.

Miles and the others: ???

Only when the laughter rises around them do they realize that Anson is easing the pressure off them.

This is the Grammy Awards, one of the highest stages in the music world—a peak every musician dreams of. Miles and the others had once longed for it but never dared to dream it. Now, it’s become a reality, and the surreal feeling is like a bubble, impossible to hold onto, just out of reach.

Then, suddenly, Anson pulls them back down to earth. The reality rushes in like a tidal wave, immediately overwhelming them.

“Hey, you’re our lead singer.”

“You can’t act like it’s got nothing to do with you.”

“What do you mean, ‘my task quota is used up’?”

The three of them snap back to reality, speaking over one another, their facial muscles and speech abilities back to normal, no longer robot-like.

Anson looks at the camera with an innocent expression, spreading his arms. “So now you see the truth, right?”

Lily: …

Miles: …

Connor follows Anson’s gaze, then slaps his forehead. “Oops, I fell for it.”

Unexpectedly, his nervousness causes him to lose control, and with a loud “pop,” the microphone picks up the sound, causing it to explode through the TV speakers.

Connor blinks, staring at the camera, as his forehead visibly reddens.

The experienced host is momentarily at a loss for words, but Anson shows no mercy, bursting into laughter.

Hahaha!

In an instant, the frenzy on the red carpet erupts, and everyone joins in the laughter.

(End of Chapter)