1031-1035

*Chapter 1031: Reaping What You Sow*

"Fight fire with fire."

This was Anson's idea: use the paparazzi’s own tactics against them.

"What’s the root of all this?"

"The Spider-Man suit? No, not exactly. It’s the public’s curiosity and interest. A sensational headline, a catchy topic—when something grabs attention and trends, it gains power."

"It could be the Spider-Man suit, or Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez’s relationship, or maybe some high-up executive caught cheating in the Sony Columbia parking lot. The focus was never on the event or the people, but on the hype and attention."

"In a world where entertainment rules all, everyone can lose their minds over it. In the face of massive profits, life itself becomes insignificant."

"Now imagine when people realize there’s a shocking secret hidden behind Spider-Man getting injured on set. What do you think they’d do?"

The answer is obvious—

Like vultures drawn to a carcass, they’d swarm. It’s an instinct they can't control.

Lucas wasn’t quick when it came to media strategies. He hesitated for a moment but soon caught up with Anson’s thinking.

Lucas turned to Anson, “So, you deliberately let Kevin go?”

Harry: …

“And planted a seed of suspicion in his mind, waiting for it to grow?”

“That way, he’ll get a taste of being hounded by the paparazzi, holding onto a gold mine but too afraid to release it, terrified of exposing himself. He’ll be tormented by his own fear, jumping at every little sound, always on edge.”

Paparazzi usually swarm around celebrities—and even regular people—doing anything for a headline. Now, it was time to let them feel what it’s like to be the hunted.

The weapon he was once proud of was now turned against him.

This is truly reaping what you sow.

But even more significant is that the photos Kevin worked so hard to get are now a hot potato—he’s sitting on a treasure he can't cash in.

That’s true torment.

You have to hand it to him—Anson played his cards well.

Anson looked at Lucas. “Didn’t you sense it too? That’s why you stirred things up, letting the entire hospital know the paparazzi had invaded the room again.”

Lucas had vaguely sensed Anson’s plan. Although it wasn’t crystal clear, their brotherly bond allowed him to follow along.

Lucas waved his hand, “I just went with the flow. Since you were letting him go, our plans for the day couldn’t go to waste. If you’re planning to release that Polaroid, the public needs to know. If not, today’s events can’t stay a secret.”

Anson replied, “I’m not releasing that Polaroid. If we make it public, it’s too solid a piece of evidence. People might start suspecting that we set the whole thing up. We need to play the role of innocent victims.”

"You know how people always expect a 'perfect victim.' If the victim shows any flaw, it becomes a way to justify the actions of the perpetrators."

“For example, you're an actor. People think that if you enjoy the spotlight, you deserve to be harassed by paparazzi, even to the point of getting injured.”

"We can't complain or fight back, or we’ll become the targets. Unless, of course, I’m paralyzed or dead like Christopher Reeve. Then they might finally stop."

“So, we keep the Polaroid secret, as a thorn in Kevin’s heart, to keep him anxious.”

Lucas’ expression darkened. Even though he knew Hollywood was a ruthless place, hearing Anson calmly discuss such cold-hearted tactics still left him unsettled.

But Anson was used to the madness and stupidity of the social media age from his previous life. He knew things could get far worse than what he was describing. So, to him, the relatively "simple" world of 2003 was nothing to be shocked by.

“Besides, I don’t think Kevin will keep the suit photo hidden forever.”

“If he does keep it hidden, we’ll never be able to prove he was behind it, or even prove that the paparazzi caused the accident. Speculation will remain speculation, without evidence or witnesses. The chaos we’ve stirred will fade quickly.”

“And we’ll be left powerless.”

“But if he can’t resist and decides to release the photo—whether he sells it, leaks it anonymously, or under a pseudonym—that will prove our story is true. Once the photo is out there, the paparazzi will follow the trail and help us piece everything together.”

“So, the real punishment is that Kevin is sitting on a goldmine but can’t release it. If he does, he’ll face the consequences.”

“Like a moth to a flame.”

That’s why everything Anson said and Lucas’ actions in the hospital were smokescreens. They created chaos, even unreasonable chaos, leaving gaps and inconsistencies for Kevin to ponder—forcing him to think and guess.

The nature of the paparazzi is to chase drama until the very end.

Now, Kevin would have to fight his own nature. Whether he overcomes it or not, the process itself will be pure agony.

Lucas, ever the sharp one, cleared his thoughts. “And if he doesn’t cave in and release the photo? What’s your backup plan?”

Anson paused for a moment. “How did you know I had another plan?”

Lucas shrugged slightly.

Anson grinned, letting out a light laugh. “The follow-up is Kevin’s punishment. But putting Kevin aside, today’s events were part of a plan I discussed with Eve.”

He paused, then added, “Sony Columbia is considering a new Spider-Man.”

“What!” Lucas lost his composure, for once. The look in his eyes turned deadly—literally.

Anson, lying in the hospital bed, found out that Sony Columbia was preparing to kick him out of the Spider-Man project?

Lucas didn’t care about the reasons or circumstances. He wouldn’t allow it, nor would he accept it.

But Anson remained calm. “Relax. Nothing’s set in stone yet. No need to worry.”

Lucas, however, wasn’t having it. His face turned cold, not impulsive but focused. He knew that fighting Sony Columbia required more than just strong emotions. “We’ll make them pay for this.”

Anson nodded in agreement. “Yes, that’s the plan.”

Lucas’ eyes remained locked on Levi. “So, what’s your next move?”

Anson noticed Lucas was too tense. Lately, he hadn’t been going to work, spending all his time at the hospital. While Anson was moved by his dedication, he still felt a bit uncomfortable.

He needed some space and time.

At the same time, Anson hoped Lucas would get back to his own life and not revolve entirely around him.

With that in mind, Anson decided to lighten the mood a bit. “Relax. First, let me introduce you to a friend.”

Lucas shot Anson a suspicious look, clearly not following where this came from. “Anson, don’t change the subject. What’s your next move?”

*Chapter 1032: An Empty House*

Anson looked at the stern-faced Lucas, and a faint smile tugged at the corner of his mouth. "20th Century Fox should have cast you as Darth Vader. Even without the helmet, your face is just as dark."

Lucas: …

Anson burst out laughing. "Relax, Luca. What's done is done. There's no need to panic. Let's stay calm and deal with things one at a time."

Lucas remained unfazed. "I am calm."

But Anson clearly disagreed, noting Lucas' sullen expression. He raised his hands in surrender. "Public opinion. We should continue to play the victim. My situation doesn't look good, and we need to keep Sony-Columbia from making any rash moves."

"From the studio's perspective, they have every reason to prepare for the worst. If I really can’t continue filming, they’re well within their rights to find a replacement. In that sense, they’re victims too."

"But remember?"

"The perfect victim. Being 'perfect' means there can't be any moral flaws, at least not in the eyes of the public. Sony-Columbia should be more concerned about my condition rather than rushing to find a replacement before my status is even clear."

Lucas’ face remained as cold as stone. "That’s not enough."

For Sony-Columbia, such a counterattack was far from sufficient.

Lucas thought of Brad Pitt.

Brad Pitt wanted more control, no longer content to be just a pawn for movie studios, so he planned to start his own production company.

But Lucas knew that wasn't enough—not nearly enough.

The words used to "hit" Brad could now apply to Anson too. Even Brad couldn’t completely shift the power dynamics between actors and studios, so how could Anson?

Of course, Brad's strategy was correct: becoming a player in the game rather than being bound by the studios, following Wall Street's rules, and bringing his own capital to the table.

But this was like DreamWorks.

On the surface, DreamWorks seemed to be thriving, but in reality, they were on the brink of disaster. The success of Catch Me If You Can was just a drop in the bucket.

As Lucas once told Brad, if you want to fully break free, you need hundreds of billions of dollars, not just the salary of one or two actors to keep the company afloat.

So, whether it's Brad or Anson, if they want to gain real influence or make giants like Sony-Columbia struggle, they need to play the long game.

You can’t get there overnight.

Anson noticed the deep thoughts in Lucas' eyes. They each had their own way of thinking, clearly coming at the situation from different angles. But Anson could almost hear the gears turning in Lucas’ mind: injured, hounded by paparazzi, and now stabbed in the back by Sony-Columbia…

Surrounded on all sides.

No wonder people say it’s lonely at the top.

Anson hadn’t even reached the peak yet, but he could already feel the cutthroat nature of Hollywood’s climb to the top. It seemed Lucas needed some time too.

"Relax, Luca, relax. There's no need to rush. One step at a time, let’s deal with things one by one."

"How about I introduce you to a friend?"

Anson tried to ease the tension.

Lucas looked at him, feeling a bit strange. He was supposed to be the older brother, so why was Anson the one comforting him?

Still, Lucas didn’t refuse. He knew things couldn't be rushed. Once a plan was in place, he regained his composure and looked at Anson calmly.

"A friend? Why have you been going on about a friend since earlier? Who are you trying to introduce me to?"

Lucas paused as a thought flashed through his mind.

"Wait, you're not trying to set me up on a date, are you? I'll kill you."

He said the last words through gritted teeth.

Anson laughed heartily. "Don’t worry, it’s not that. It’s just a friend. Remember when we went to see that movie in San Francisco? I met a friend there…”

Lucas: "…Anne Hathaway?"

Anson: "Yes, her too, but I’m talking about Jack. He was with his buddies… they slipped away before I could introduce you. Today, he came all the way back to New York to check on me…”

Lucas glanced around. "Wait, you mean he’s here now?"

Anson nodded. "Yep, in the bathroom. He got here before you. Jack? It’s okay now, you can come out."

Lucas lowered his voice. "Anson, is he trustworthy? He overheard everything we just discussed."

All those secrets, overheard by a third party?

Anson wasn’t worried. "Don’t sweat it. He’ll keep quiet. He’s trustworthy. Jack? Come on out, let me introduce you to Luca."

But there was no response from the bathroom.

Lucas decided to investigate, walking over and pushing the door open. "Jack? I'm Lucas Wood, Anson's brother…"

He poked his head in, looked left and right, then turned to Anson with a confused look. "There’s no one here."

Anson's voice rose with confusion. "Are you sure? He hid in there when he heard you coming. Jack, come on out. No need to hide."

Lucas checked again, searching every corner and even pulling back the shower curtain. When he came out, he shook his head. "Maybe he slipped out during the commotion?"

Anson was still puzzled. "Maybe."

Taking a deep breath, he nodded. "Yeah, it's possible. He’s no stranger to escaping. His home life involves a drunk with a fist." Anson raised his fist to demonstrate. "He has to protect his mom, so any slight noise makes him jumpy."

Lucas nodded lightly. "How did you meet him?"

Anson: "I saw his dad beating his mom on the street. He was running away, bruised and trying to get help. I couldn’t just stand by and watch."

The casual tone couldn’t mask the pain and sadness beneath it.

Lucas thought for a moment. "You can't save everyone."

Anson chuckled softly. "I know. Even Spider-Man can’t save everyone. I’m no superhero, so I like movies."

"When the lights go down in a theater, for those two hours, we can escape to another world, find brief salvation. And sometimes, a film can be a glimmer of hope, giving people the courage to keep going."

"Movies have power too."

Lucas watched Anson quietly. After his confusion, struggle, and wandering, Anson seemed to have finally found his center. Though Hollywood’s fame and fortune might feel like a battlefield, for Anson, the gains outweighed the losses.

That was a good thing.

"Like dreams?" Lucas asked.

Anson’s smile spread wide. "Yes, like dreams."

Lucas: "I hope Jack will be okay. Maybe he’ll find the courage to chase his own dreams through you. As for the scum who raise their fists to women and children, let’s pray they don’t die too soon—so they can suffer endlessly before they even get the chance."

Anson: "That’s a great idea."

*Chapter 1033: Words Not from the Heart*

"Breaking: Someone has tried to break into Anson-Wood's hospital room!"

CNN News, always quick to catch a hot topic, immediately launched a live broadcast, and the real-time breaking news quickly spread across North America.

Soon, all major media outlets followed suit one after another.

"Breaking: A crazed fan broke into Anson-Wood's hospital room!"

"Paparazzi invade hospital to surround Anson-Wood."

"After his accidental injury, Anson-Wood faces a second terrifying attack."

"The mystery of Anson-Wood's injury: Is it a self-promotion stunt, or is the injury far more severe than imagined?"

"Attacked again before recovering from injuries, Anson-Wood finds himself at the center of a storm."

"Who exactly broke into Anson-Wood's hospital room?"

The news was everywhere!

In no time, every news outlet scrambled to be the first to report on the hottest topic of the summer.

Although "entertainment till death" is a year-round topic that resurfaces every now and then, most of the time, the general public tends to side with the paparazzi—

After all, people love drama, and juicy gossip is the best dessert after a meal, even if morally, they know it’s wrong. They just can’t help themselves.

However, this time the situation is a little different. Not much, but still not quite the same.

"Breaking into a hospital room" doesn’t just disturb a patient’s recovery but could potentially lead to far worse outcomes. Such behavior isn’t much different from premeditated murder, especially since Anson’s current condition remains unknown.

While a small portion of the public is still indifferent and curious about "Anson's health"—justifying it under the banner that the public has the right to know the truth—most people are outraged, strongly condemning the entire situation.

Almost unanimously, they stand with Anson.

So, who broke into the room?

For now, no one knows. Some speculate it was an obsessed fan, others think it was paparazzi, some believe it was an insider at the hospital paid off by an external party to sneak in and take secret photos. Others guess it was someone who hates Anson and intended to harm him. Theories are flying everywhere.

But one thing is clear: the media is universally condemning the vile nature of this incident.

Amid the public outrage, Lucas Wood, the young man who openly threatened reporters at the hospital's entrance, dropped another bombshell.

—"$100,000 reward."

In an official statement, Lucas said he has already contacted the police and is patiently waiting for the NYPD to investigate. However, during the waiting period, he is accepting all tip-offs to assist the police in solving the case.

Boom. The media exploded. Like a stone thrown into the water, the news created massive ripples.

Lucas’s anger sparked even more attention, but the reward amount was the real shocker.

It’s important to know that when the "Spider-Man" costume studio was robbed, and four of Spider-Man’s suits were stolen, Sony-Columbia only offered a reward of $25,000. But now, Lucas has offered $100,000 in one go. In 2003, this was a considerable amount of money.

Everyone, inside and out, up and down, could feel the Wood family's fury. Lucas’s threats at the hospital entrance were definitely not a joke. At the same time, you could also sense the Wood family's frustration and helplessness. If they weren’t at their wit's end, why would they offer a reward?

Clearly, Anson’s condition… isn’t good.

The following events quickly confirmed this suspicion.

Logically, after such an incident, leaving aside the intruder's identity for a moment, the public’s primary concern would naturally be Anson’s health. They would expect him to appear and personally address the questions, whether those were concerns, doubts, or just plain gossip.

However, Anson did not show up.

Instead, Anson's official spokesperson, Eve, came forward. Of course, Edgar was by her side.

"…Anson is currently resting, following the doctor’s advice."

"In response to this situation, Anson said that staying in the hospital is very boring, and he welcomes everyone to visit and chat with him. However, due to hospital visiting hours and to avoid disturbing other patients, please make an appointment in advance, and let’s all work together to create a harmonious and beautiful society."

Reporters: "…"

This is totally off-script!

Anson’s PR response once again caught reporters off guard. It was witty and sarcastic, a typical Anson move.

However, when the reporters pressed further about Anson’s condition, Eve refused to reveal any more details.

"The injury is not serious. It’s something that inevitably happens during filming. Anson is following the treatment and rehabilitation plan laid out by his doctors and hopes to return to the set as soon as possible to resume filming. That is the only important thing at the moment."

Self-contradictory—

If the injury isn’t serious, why hasn’t Anson appeared himself?

If the injury isn’t serious, why is Eve refusing to share more information?

If the injury isn’t serious, why is Lucas so furious?

Isn’t this just words not from the heart?

Even though Eve emphasized that Anson was doing well, her attitude only fueled more suspicion, and netizens began to let their imaginations run wild.

Some said that Anson wasn’t injured during filming but was having an affair with Jennifer Aniston. He was caught by Brad Pitt and fell from a balcony while trying to escape.

Others claimed Anson was on his deathbed, barely hanging on. The doctors, the Wood family, and the production crew were all in despair. The news was so shocking that the crew hadn’t figured out how to handle the PR, so they kept stalling.

Still, others said it was all fake news. Anson wasn’t injured at all. He was throwing a party in his hospital room, got caught by the paparazzi, and now they were cleaning up the mess, refusing to show their faces to avoid being exposed.

Blah, blah, blah.

Various conspiracy theories emerged, growing more and more absurd.

Precisely because of this, the reporters became more excited, determined to dig up the truth—

So, who was it that broke into the hospital room that day?

This wasn’t just about the $100,000 reward; it was about exclusive news. Whoever could uncover the truth first would undoubtedly transform their career.

Journalists across North America sprang into action, moving in droves, creating a tidal wave of excitement and chaos.

The real intruder, hiding in a corner, watched the situation unfold with wide eyes, stunned. In an instant, things had spiraled out of control, far beyond their imagination—

Trembling in fear!

However, not everyone was in the loop.

James Franco, Chris Evans, and Ryan Gosling all rushed to New York to visit Anson. Though they weren’t aware of the twists and turns behind the scenes, they breathed a sigh of relief upon seeing Anson looking okay. But they grew tense upon learning that Anson would need at least three to six weeks to recover.

Chris noticed there were cards among the flowers from Anne Hathaway and Scarlett Johansson. He was about to tease Anson but then saw a card from Brad Renfro, and his face immediately darkened. "He still has the nerve to contact you? Is it because he sees you're successful now and wants to suck up?"

James, still acting carefree, rolled his eyes and mocked, "No, it’s probably because he’s gloating over Anson’s misfortune, sending flowers just to rub it in. Typical."

*Chapter 1034: Words Left Unsaid*

Watching James and Chris stand there with different expressions but both gritting their teeth in unison, their disgust and rejection were clear—they still had no intention of forgiving Brad Renfro.

Anson had been hospitalized, and everything was kept under wraps because it concerned their entire plan, which was of utmost importance. Edgar had refused most visitors for this reason.

In the end, people sent their regards with flower baskets or fruit.

Honestly, when Anson saw Brad Renfro’s flowers, he was a little surprised—not at Brad’s gesture, but at the fact that it was flowers.

Brad had been wandering since childhood, moving from one foster home to another, without a stable place to live and struggling to get enough food to eat.

Flowers?

For Brad, that was too much of a luxury.

Brad never understood the act of expressing emotions through flowers.

Yet here he was, sending flowers. It was a breakthrough.

Anson no longer held a grudge against Brad. The apology from last time had cleared the air, and with time, all the sighs and regrets had faded away.

Anson said, “He’s just realized he’s lost his way and is trying to find his way back.”

James, still nonchalant as ever, said, “If only it were that simple. People don’t change that easily.”

Anson didn’t argue and turned to Chris. “You should look at the card.”

Chris hesitated but obediently opened the card. “‘Looks like in the end, we all turn into the person we hate the most.’ What does that mean?”

Anson shrugged lightly. “It’s literal. Brad’s been through a lot lately.”

James looked at the puzzled Chris. “Jessica doesn’t mind you being like this?”

Anson quipped, “James, do you think Jessica is dating Chris for his brains?”

Back and forth they went, seamlessly bantering—

Jessica Biel, a young actress still relatively unknown, had mostly appeared on television and in a few films, though none had garnered much attention.

That would change this year. In October, she would star in The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, a horror film that would go on to gross 80 million dollars in North America. More importantly, the film would become a phenomenon among horror fans and in the DVD rental market, launching Jessica into fame.

Still, Jessica’s acting career would remain tied to the "eye-candy" label, and later, she’d really enter the public eye after taming bad boy Justin Timberlake, with whom she’d marry and have two children.

But now?

Jessica was dating Chris Evans.

They all thought it would be a brief summer fling, two or three months at most. But to their surprise, the relationship blossomed, and now another summer had arrived, with the two becoming more and more stable.

As his two friends teased him, Chris quickly caught on.

“Ha. Ha. I know you both envy my looks and physique. Sorry, unless you’re reborn, envy will get you nowhere.”

James groaned. “Ugh. That lasagna from the other night is about to come back up.”

The playful atmosphere vanished as soon as Lucas walked in, his intense presence silencing the room. James and Chris quickly said their goodbyes and left obediently, leaving Anson a bit helpless.

“Lucas, you look like an old man,” Anson teased.

Lucas didn’t react. “You need rest.”

Anson rolled his eyes. “I’ve been doing nothing but resting all day, every day. How much more rest do I need?”

Lucas simply replied, “Yes.”

Anson: …

A soft chuckle came from the doorway. It wasn’t often that people saw the sharp-tongued Anson at a loss for words, and the group at the door started laughing.

Lucas turned silently, and the group scattered immediately.

However, Kristen stayed behind, hesitating at the door with a conflicted expression.

Anson noticed. Throughout the visit, Kristen had been preoccupied, barely joining in the conversation. His usual smile seemed harder to maintain, and his glances toward Anson were full of uncertainty.

“Mary Jane?” Anson teased.

Kristen reflexively looked up, momentarily stunned by Anson’s bright smile, before finally managing a smile of his own.

He let out a sigh, seeming to make a decision. Standing at the door, he said, “There’s something you need to know.”

Even Lucas sensed the seriousness of the moment.

Lucas invited Kristen in and whispered, “Please make it quick; the doctor says Anson needs rest.”

After that, Lucas left the room, closing the door behind him.

Anson waved dismissively. “Don’t worry about him; Lucas always overthinks.”

Kristen walked to the foot of the bed and smiled softly. “His concerns are valid. We’re all worried, waiting for you to come back to work.”

Anson said, “Don’t worry. I’m practically a baby now, being looked after 24/7. Recovery is just a matter of time.”

Kristen’s smile faltered. “But it’s worse than we thought, isn’t it?”

“I mean, you’ve been in bed the whole time we’ve been here, and you seem like you can’t move easily. And you’ve kept it all a secret.”

“I—I’m just worried about you.”

Kristen’s words were jumbled, and his gaze was evasive, clearly unsettled.

It was obvious something was wrong.

Anson didn’t deny it. Though his injuries weren’t severe, they required careful attention. His back muscles were sensitive, and if the recovery didn’t go well, it could lead to lifelong consequences.

Anson asked, “Kristen, did you hear something?”

Suddenly, Kristen’s head shot up, his face full of shock as he looked at Anson.

Anson continued, “You’ve been uneasy all day, and now you’ve stayed behind alone. Something must be going on. Don’t worry, whatever rumors you’ve heard, I probably know them too.”

Kristen muttered, “I’m just worried that you don’t know. That someone’s stabbing you in the back while you’re left in the dark.”

Finally, Kristen spoke up.

“Sony Columbia is looking for an actor to replace you.”

At last!

Though it was difficult, though he hesitated, Kristen had finally said it.

He had been worried that the news would devastate Anson. After all, Anson had done nothing wrong and had paid such a high price for the movie. But Sony Columbia’s response was to look for a replacement, making backup plans. It was… shameless.

Even though Kristen knew how ruthless corporate Hollywood could be, he was still chilled by Sony Columbia’s cold-heartedness.

But Anson was calm, with a slight smile on his face, confident and composed as if he had everything under control.

Kristen was stunned. Realization dawned. “You already knew?”

Anson nodded slightly. “But I still appreciate you worrying about me and coming to tell me yourself. I feel guilty for keeping all of you in the dark.”

Kristen let out a long breath, relaxing a little. “So, you’re preparing to fight back, right? You’re going to fight for the role, aren’t you?”

*Chapter 1035: A Stab in the Back*

"So, you're preparing to fight back, right? You're going to go for the role, aren't you?"

"Honestly, I’ve always thought Sony Columbia's decisions were a bit odd. Why would they want to replace you? It doesn’t make any sense."

"Your Spider-Man... it just doesn’t feel the same."

With her nerves relaxing a bit, Kristen, a bit of a chatterbox, started to spill out her thoughts. You could tell she was being genuine.

After speaking, she realized what she had said and looked at Anson with a slightly awkward expression.

Anson responded with a smile. "I still remember how you only agreed to audition back then because of me. Looks like you really do like me. Will Jake be jealous?"

"Haha. You’re still as funny as ever. Jake says you're no match for him," Kristen said with ease.

Anson shrugged lightly. "I can’t stop people from daydreaming."

This time, Kristen truly relaxed and burst into laughter.

Then, Anson looked at Kristen. "Seriously, don't worry about me. I’ve already heard the news, and I’m going to fight for the role with everything I’ve got. But you still seem worried. So, is there something else?"

Kristen’s expression became a bit unnatural, and a struggle was clearly visible in her eyes.

Anson said, "It's about Jake, isn't it?"

Kristen gasped sharply, staring at Anson in shock.

Even though she didn’t speak, the answer was clear enough.

The Jake mentioned wasn’t Jake Forrest, but Jake Gyllenhaal.

Anson raised his chin slightly. "So, it is Jake."

"Let me guess: Sony Columbia is preparing for my possible exit due to my injury, and they want to have a backup plan. Jake is one of their candidates."

"The key is that Jake is really interested, and he’s considering accepting the role."

"You don't agree with this, but you're not sure how to handle it."

"On one hand, there’s your boyfriend; on the other, there’s your partner and friend. And this friend is also friends with your boyfriend. You’re not even sure if you should tell your friend because you don't know whether to choose friendship or love, and now you feel torn."

Kristen covered her mouth, her face full of disbelief.

Because Anson had guessed everything, one hundred percent accurately.

She stepped back in shock, looking Anson up and down, as if unsure how to process this.

For a moment, Kristen wanted to turn around and run away. She knew she should tell Anson, but that would mean betraying Jake. If she stayed silent and Jake stabbed Anson in the back, she’d be betraying Anson. She couldn’t make a decision.

Either way, she would be letting someone down.

Her conscience told her to choose what was right. Setting aside love and friendship, she should make the right choice. But if only it were that simple.

In fact, Kristen had argued fiercely with Jake about this, more than once. She had tried to convince him to give up this ridiculous idea, but Jake refused, and their arguments escalated.

Kristen wanted to tell Anson.

But when it came down to it, the words wouldn’t come out. Even though she was deeply disappointed in Jake, and even though she stood firm in front of him, she couldn’t speak in front of Anson.

Doing the right thing is easy to say, but hard to do.

Even now, with Anson having figured everything out, Kristen was still torn, unable to make a choice.

Kristen stared at Anson, dazed—

Calm, collected, and serene.

No anger, no sadness, no bitterness—not even the slightest emotional ripple.

Kristen was shocked. "You’re not upset? You don’t feel betrayed?"

Anson replied, "Should I?"

The naturalness of his words left Kristen momentarily speechless.

Anson continued, "Look, while there are friendships in Hollywood, opportunities are opportunities. When it comes to opportunities, everyone is equal—there’s no place for friendship. If necessary, family and love should be set aside as well. That’s professionalism."

"For Jake, this is an opportunity, a chance for his career to break through. He’s not stealing or cheating—he’s seizing this opportunity with his own skills. He shouldn’t feel guilty, and he doesn’t need to avoid it."

"If it weren’t for our relationship, I’m sure you’d be encouraging him to go for it, wouldn’t you?"

Kristen shook her head vigorously. "But the point is, we’re friends. There should be boundaries."

Anson replied, "Kristen, you should know how important this chance is for Jake’s career. He should give it his all."

Kristen shook her head, using all her strength. "No, it shouldn’t be like this."

"I know that in Hollywood, when it comes to real interests, everything is cold and cruel. Friendship, love—none of it counts. But we’re not animals. We should have reason, we should have a conscience, right?"

Indeed, we should.

That’s why people often say there’s an ideal world and a real world. The ideal is rich and full, but the reality is thin and harsh.

From Hayden Christensen to Brad Renfro, including the cast of Friends, Anson was slowly becoming part of this world of fame and fortune.

In fact, Anson was adapting better than expected—after all, he had already witnessed all the warmth and coldness of humanity in his past life.

Some things, you win by chance; others, you lose by fate.

As a former child star, Kristen had spent over ten years navigating Hollywood, going through everything imaginable. Jake, born into a Hollywood family, had been surrounded by the industry from a young age and was well-versed in the rules of the fame game.

But here’s the thing: some people, after experiencing that darkness, join in and convince themselves that since everyone’s doing it, it’s normal, and nothing to fuss about. Others, however, yearn even more for light and hope, believing that just because everyone does it doesn’t make it right.

Watching Kristen, struggling with her inner conflict, Anson smiled bitterly. "So, what do you expect Jake to do?"

"To nobly refuse and show his loyalty and integrity?"

"Come on, Kristen. You’ve been in this industry longer than I have. You know that opportunities may seem abundant, but in reality, they’re not. Countless actors fight for just a few roles, and for one out of a hundred to make it is already rare."

"I’m not talking about the top-tier actors, just the common working actors in Hollywood. It’s not that easy for them either."

"You can’t expect Jake to casually give up a chance like this."

Kristen understood. Of course, she did.

It was precisely because she understood that she struggled so much. Even standing in front of Anson, she still couldn’t speak honestly.

But, "You’re not angry?" Kristen asked. "I thought you two were friends."

Anson replied softly, "I thought so too."

His words were light, but there was a hint of bitterness behind them.

Then, shifting his tone, Anson smiled again, regaining his usual brightness, and said nonchalantly, "But friends are friends, and work is work, right?"