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Chapter 951: Open and Honest

A fierce storm raged outside. Edgar, rarely seen out of control, was now furious.

However, Anson remained calm, almost too calm, to the point of being unsettling.

Edgar felt his breath catch in his chest. He knew deep down that he was at fault here. No matter how justified the reasons, the fact remained: Edgar had gone behind Anson's back, acted in secret, and used Anson's name to reject Gary. The consequences still fell on Anson to bear.

Maybe, from a reasoning perspective, Edgar was correct—both the cause and effect were logical, and his stance was well-founded. But the process was not aboveboard.

The means were dirty.

Not only had Edgar acted behind Anson’s back, but he had also leveraged the situation, dragging the entire "Spider-Man 2" crew into it, severing any chance of cooperation in a less-than-honorable manner.

That was the crux of the matter.

Perhaps Edgar’s own guilty conscience made him lash out so aggressively, trying to cover his insecurities by attacking first, confusing the issue, and positioning himself on the moral high ground.

Once the outburst subsided, Edgar felt a surge of unease.

“Anson…”

Unexpectedly, Anson's gaze shifted, looking behind Edgar, who turned to see what had caught his attention.

“Eve, what do you think?”

Eve and Noah were standing at the entrance of the villa's hall, evidently having heard everything.

Eve took a deep breath, “I’m with Edgar.”

No sooner had she spoken than Noah silently moved over to stand beside Anson, his actions alone signaling his allegiance.

Anson gave a wry smile.

Seeing Anson’s smile, Eve didn’t relax.

“Anson, you handle emotional considerations. Edgar and I are responsible for rational thinking. We make those cold, objective, correct judgments and decisions that might be unappealing and even potentially destructive—destroying friendships, love, and social relationships in the process.”

“But that’s our job. We plan your career; we don’t manage your personal life.”

“Edgar is right.”

“Yes, I know the methods aren’t clean, but I don’t think it’s a problem.”

“We're not saints. Trust me, our hands have seen their share of blood. Hurting Gary Marshall’s feelings a little isn’t even worth mentioning. We may have destroyed people’s dreams or lives, all to protect our client's interests.”

“The world might look civilized, but at its core, it’s still a jungle where the strong prey on the weak.”

“If it were me, I’d make the same choice as Edgar.”

Objective, calm, even mechanical, with not an ounce of warmth.

Eve was different from Edgar—more rational, more cold, analyzing purely from a position of interest.

It was all just numbers.

Anson remained silent throughout.

This silence made Edgar uneasy. “Anson…”

Anson lifted his head, a hint of sadness in his eyes.

Anson knew that Edgar and Eve's analysis was correct. It was their job to make the best rational choice.

Maybe rejecting "The Princess Diaries 2" was indeed the right choice.

The key was, Anson wasn’t really a twenty-year-old. He had lived twice, and his goals were a bit different now.

Success? Of course, it mattered.

Money, fame, glory—why reject them?

Anson had never denied that. But happiness and joy were equally important. Friends, family, and the connections he had forged mattered too. He didn’t want his second life to be filled only with cold numbers and empty bubbles.

So what now?

“You should’ve told me.”

Anson said.

Eve was stunned, and Edgar didn’t immediately understand.

Anson repeated, “You should’ve told me, all of this.”

Edgar opened his mouth, “But…”

Anson nodded, “Yes, I understand. Maybe even after you laid out all the facts, I would still be sentimental and stubbornly make the wrong choice. It’s possible.”

“But that’s just how it would be.”

“As agents and PR people, your job is to do everything to steer me right, but if I still make the wrong decision, then let me suffer the consequences myself. Let me pay the price for my mistake.”

“You should be able to see my foolishness and, if necessary, jump ship in time. There’s no need to go down with me. Even if it’s the Titanic, it’s not worth it.”

“What? Agents and PR people ending their partnerships with actors isn’t uncommon in Hollywood, right? There’s no need for you to be dragged into the mess. That’s the right way to handle business collaboration, isn’t it?”

Edgar: …

Eve: …

They had already been as rational and cold as they could be, dissecting reality in an almost cruel way, yet they never expected Anson to be even more ruthless.

“Heh.” Anson’s lips curled into a slight smile, “Captain, you’re right. Maybe even after everything you said, I’d still decide to join the cast. Success is crucial to me, but it’s not the only thing that matters.”

“That’s the truth, and I’m not going to deny it.”

“Even so, I still want you to be honest with me, to have an open and frank conversation.”

“Remember how we started working together?”

“You have ambition, and I do too. That’s why we clicked. But that ambition rests on mutual respect and trust, which brought us here. Without that, two ambitious people coming together could just as easily lead to disaster.”

“Captain, I need you to trust me, or you can end our partnership anytime—I wouldn’t mind.”

“You, Eve, if either of you chooses to hide things from me, it shows you see me as nothing more than a foolish puppet.”

“So, do you think I’m just a brainless vase?”

Lightly spoken, yet Edgar felt a heavy blow to his heart.

Because Edgar knew that Anson was serious.

Edgar opened his mouth to speak, but Anson was already looking at Eve.

“You too.”

“Trust me, I know how dirty PR can get, and I’m no saint. Just look at TMZ—you know how they’ve risen to power, right?”

“Eve, you’re not still seeing me as a naive kid, are you?”

The corners of his mouth lifted slightly.

Eve was taken aback.

Unlike Edgar, Eve had never seen this side of Anson.

Eve had always thought of Anson as a sheltered young man—not from a top background but still well-off—someone who hadn’t seen the hardships or darkness of the world, someone who couldn’t tolerate any dishonesty. That was why he had been so disappointed by Edgar’s actions.

But now, it seemed she was wrong.

Eve couldn't help but take a closer look at Anson.

As a PR specialist, she had handled dozens of clients, along with countless temporary cases every month, believing she had honed a keen eye.

Now, Eve had to admit her assessment of Anson might have been mistaken.

The bright red color of her lips curled into a smile, her eyes narrowing slightly, “Maybe from today onwards, no longer.”

Finally, Edgar calmed down as well, quietly watching Anson, patiently waiting before speaking.

“So, what now? Are you going to end our partnership?”

Inevitably, Edgar felt a bit anxious. This was the outcome he feared most, but he still mustered the courage to face it instead of avoiding it.

To confront it head-on.

*Chapter 952: Facing Challenges*

Honestly, despite his worries, Edgar didn't regret his decision. At that moment, he had thought it through carefully and believed it was the best choice. If he had to do it again, he was confident he would make the same decision.

But the real question was, what about Anson? How would Anson react?

Edgar admitted that he thought he knew Anson well enough, but reality kept reminding him that his understanding and judgment were still limited.

Looking at Anson in front of him, Edgar suddenly thought of their trip to Cannes—

Who would have thought that at the Cannes Film Festival, Anson would use fashion to make an impact, turning Cannes into a platform for establishing his image and making his voice heard.

"So, what are you planning to do now? End our partnership?"

Despite his anxiety and nervousness, Edgar showed some guts.

"Heh." Anson chuckled softly.

"No, quite the opposite. The decision is in your hands."

Edgar was stunned.

"Now that you know where I stand, do you still believe I'm the right choice? Are you willing to continue working with me?"

"I believe this won't be the last time we'll encounter a similar situation. Can we reach a consensus? Can things change?"

"I want you to follow my lead, regardless of the outcome, showing trust and honesty in our collaboration, and then I'll make my choice. Can you accept that? Will you cooperate? Can you understand my foolish and naive choice?"

"So, here I am, still here. The choice is yours."

"What do you think?"

Just like that, Anson threw the question back at him.

Edgar was caught off guard—

He thought Anson would be furious, but he wasn't. To be accurate, Anson was indeed angry; he clearly expressed that he didn't like this. But he hadn't lost his cool or flown into a rage.

He thought Anson would refuse to tolerate any compromise and end the partnership. After all, Hollywood wasn't short of agents. If Anson announced he was changing agents, other agencies, and even agents within William Morris, would jump at the opportunity. But Anson didn't do that either.

Things were different from what Edgar had imagined.

Edgar reassessed Anson once again.

He had to admit that every time he thought he knew Anson well enough, Anson always managed to surprise him.

Edgar looked at Anson, "Aren't you mad?"

Anson didn't hesitate, "Of course."

He admitted it frankly. Although it wasn't obvious, at that moment, Anson was indeed angry, and he had every reason to be.

The difference was that Anson didn't let the anger control him or make him a slave to his emotions.

Edgar could sense it now; Anson was genuinely upset. "Sorry."

Without further explanation, Edgar straightforwardly admitted his mistake—

Anson was right. Regardless of Edgar's judgment, even if it was correct, he should have communicated with Anson.

Apologizing was the best response.

It was clear that Edgar didn't want to end their partnership. Only an idiot would turn down Anson. A simple apology was a gesture of admitting fault and extending a hand for reconciliation.

Edgar's tone was sincere, and his expression was genuine, showing his humble stance.

Taking a deep breath, Edgar repeated it once more.

"I'm sorry. Truly. I shouldn't have taken it upon myself to decide for you, even if I was right."

Anson raised an eyebrow slightly.

Eve looked at Edgar and teased with a smile, "You really don't need to keep emphasizing that you were right."

Edgar raised both hands, "Sorry, but that script was terrible. God, I can't imagine Anson acting like a fool."

Anson laughed directly, "That's what being a pretty face is about—sometimes acting silly. Hey, don't underestimate that. Julia Roberts got her first Oscar nomination for 'Pretty Woman.'"

Eve was stunned. "What?"

Anson looked at Eve. "What, you don't remember? It's true."

Eve's eyes widened, clearly not hiding her shock and surprise. "What was going on in Hollywood in the 80s?"

Anson shrugged lightly, "Back then, the definition of an actor wasn't as strict. People didn't immediately judge based on looks."

In that era, attractive actors didn't need to constantly prove they weren't just a pretty face to receive recognition from the Academy.

After entering the 90s, the idea of "Pretty Woman" earning an Oscar nomination seemed unimaginable. In fact, Meryl Streep's nomination for "The Devil Wears Prada" sparked quite a bit of controversy—

Not just among Academy voters; even media critics had become increasingly harsh on commercial films and actors seen as mere pretty faces. Even Meryl Streep wasn't immune from criticism. Because of this, many actresses—and later actors—started taking on roles that required them to "uglify" themselves to compete for Oscars.

Like Leonardo DiCaprio finally winning an Oscar for "The Revenant."

That's the difference in eras.

Eve said, "Wow. I kind of regret not being born twenty years earlier; otherwise, in that era..."

There was no need to continue; the meaning was clear.

A smile appeared in Anson's eyes as he looked at Edgar again.

"How bad was the script?"

Edgar immediately realized Anson was referring to the script for "The Princess Diaries 2."

"... Hard to put into words."

"They were planning to recycle the 'rags to riches' story from the first movie, but this time for Michael. Since you're entering the royal family, you need to become a prince, going through everything Mia went through, like a Barbie doll."

"Meanwhile, Mia starts learning to handle important matters of state, but obviously, it's not easy, leading to lots of chaos. In the end, both of you mess up, are criticized by the public, and under immense pressure, you both break down and decide to split up..."

The rest of the story didn't need to be said—it followed the typical Hollywood formula:

A perfect happy ending.

The key point was that the story was almost identical to the first movie, just with a change in setting. This lazy storytelling structure made it obvious that the film's focus would be on Michael and Mia constantly making fools of themselves to create cheap laughs, with no character growth at all.

Edgar took a deep breath. He didn't know how to continue. "You know how sequels are—they need to be more over-the-top than the original."

More childish, more comical, more ridiculous?

A picture formed in Anson's mind. "Turning the characters into clowns?"

Edgar nodded. "Yeah, a bunch of clowns."

Anson shrugged, "I don't mind playing a clown."

Edgar looked exasperated.

Anson said, "I'm serious. If I want to break away from the 'pretty face' label, playing a clown is one way to do it. Jim Carrey is a good-looking clown."

Eve cut in, "The point is whether they're treating you like a real actor or just a pretty face playing a clown. There's a difference."

Edgar looked at Eve, snapping his fingers in agreement. "Exactly. And clearly, for Disney, it's the latter."

*Chapter 953: Close Combat*

Watching the serious expression on Eve's face and Edgar's eager attempt to explain, Anson couldn't help but laugh. "Captain, it seems you really, really don't want me to take 'The Princess Diaries 2.'"

Edgar blinked. "Is it that obvious?"

Eve: "Wait, isn't it written right there on your forehead? 'Princess Diaries 2, get lost.'"

Edgar didn’t even bother to argue, simply accepting the teasing. "Obviously, Disney wants a quick cash grab. They don’t think there’s anything worth exploring in this film series; it’s just about making some money off your current popularity."

"No character depth, no storyline—everything's just about appearances. Looks for the characters, looks for the story, even looks for the jokes. It couldn't be simpler."

"The thing is, the script isn't funny. At all. There's not a single laugh, and the rushed, cobbled-together nature is painfully obvious."

"Trust me, it's a disaster."

Still, Anson might take the script because of a favor to Gary Marshall, and just the thought made Edgar shiver.

They had worked so hard to get to this point, finally reaching their current status after "The Elephant" won the Palme d'Or, with "The Butterfly Effect," "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind," and "Spider-Man 2" pushing Anson to new heights step by step. And after all that, the next move would be... that horrible "Princess Diaries 2"?

Honestly, Edgar couldn’t imagine it and certainly couldn’t just watch Anson walk into a pit.

Anson raised an eyebrow. "Is it really that bad? Now I'm curious."

Edgar: "Uh, well..."

Beside them, Eve burst out laughing without restraint.

Anson didn’t elaborate further. "Hey, I've made my position clear. You two should hold back a bit; remember, I'm still mad."

Eve quickly held back her laughter, striking a mockingly serious pose and blinking at Anson, as if saying, "Is my groveling posture correct?"

Anson couldn't help but laugh, then turned to Noah. "Can you grab the other phone from the kitchen table? Thanks."

Noah didn't hesitate, running to the kitchen and back with the phone.

These days, Hollywood actors' contact information frequently leaked, with personal numbers being circulated and harassing calls coming endlessly. It was common for actors to change their phone numbers every so often.

But Anson knew that changing numbers was just a temporary fix. If he couldn’t figure out why the leaks kept happening, it would be inevitable that he'd need to change numbers again later.

So, Anson simply prepared two phones—one for work and one for private contacts with friends.

That way, even if the number got leaked, it was only the work phone, and Anson wouldn't have to constantly change his private number.

The phone call with Kristen and Jack earlier was made with his personal phone; the one Noah handed him now was the work phone.

Anson took the phone, suddenly curious, and turned to Noah. "What about your opinion? The captain said all that, and you're still backing me?"

"Of course," Noah said without hesitation.

Anson was surprised. "Oh?"

Noah: "Even if it's garbage, you'll still make it shine."

One second, two seconds—

Eve: "Wow!" She exclaimed, applauding.

Anson looked at Edgar. "Captain, did you see that? Now that's the right way to show support."

Edgar widened his eyes, looking at Noah with astonishment.

Noah, on the other hand, seemed bewildered, with a completely innocent expression as he looked at Edgar, seemingly unaware of what the big deal was. He had only spoken the truth, so why was everyone so surprised?

Anson laughed.

Without paying further attention to Noah or Edgar, Anson picked up his work phone and searched for Gary Marshall's number—

If he remembered correctly, this was the first time Anson had called Gary.

In just a moment, Gary answered. "Anson?" The surprise in his voice was unmistakable.

Anson smiled. "Hey, director, long time no see."

Gary was even more surprised. "Jesus Christ, it really is you. I thought it was a scam call. By the way, congratulations on the Palme d'Or. It’s worth celebrating."

Anson: "Everyone’s congratulating me like I actually won the Palme d'Or. If Gus cared, I'd be embarrassed."

"Haha." Gary laughed openly. "I was just being polite. Of course, I know the Palme d'Or wasn't awarded to you."

Direct and blunt.

Anson: "Oh, really, director? If you're so direct, I might just turn into a werewolf."

Gary roared with laughter. "I'd like to see you lose control—you really don’t seem like you're eighteen."

Anson shook his head repeatedly. "Director, I’m certainly not eighteen. I'm already twenty."

Gary's laughter continued without pause.

After the Palme d'Or news broke, Gary hadn’t congratulated Anson.

Firstly, Anson was no longer who he used to be; he had already become the top young actor.

Secondly, they had never really been in contact privately, so suddenly congratulating him now would seem obsequious.

Thirdly, their collaboration on "The Princess Diaries 2" didn’t happen, and Gary would be lying if he said he didn’t care.

But Gary wasn't surprised. That's just how the world of fame and fortune worked—people liked to ride the wave of success. Anson was at the peak of his popularity, so it was only natural for him to act superior. Gary didn’t like it, but there was no need to make a big fuss about it.

However, Gary was completely wrong.

With this one phone call, Anson was still the same Anson—effortlessly funny and friendly, no different than before. Gary instantly relaxed.

Surprised and relieved, Gary was glad that he’d been wrong; not everyone loses themselves in the Hollywood fame game.

"Wait, shouldn't you be at a party celebrating right now? Why are you calling me?" Gary asked.

Anson: "I'm still in France. It’s morning here, and even the French aren’t crazy enough to party this early... though I can’t say the same for the Spanish."

"Hahaha." Gary laughed again.

Anson: "I'm calling you, director, to talk about 'The Princess Diaries 2.'"

Eve: ...

Edgar's heart skipped a beat. So Anson was actually talking to Gary Marshall? What was Anson planning?

Instinctively, Eve glanced at Edgar and whispered, "Should we grab his phone before he does something stupid?"

In just a second, countless thoughts raced through Edgar's mind like a spinning wheel, yet he still couldn’t understand Anson's intentions.

Edgar had to reconsider their earlier conversation—how they should continue working together and how he should position himself in that collaboration.

Should he stick to his own stance, rationally stopping Anson from jumping into a mess? Or should he trust Anson, believing he would make the right choice?

His mind was racing.

At that moment, Edgar noticed Anson's gaze.

There was no avoidance, just a clear and bright gaze focused on both Edgar and Eve, seemingly observing their reactions. Though there wasn't a distinct expression, a faint smile touched Anson's lips.

Edgar's heart tightened sharply.

He shook his head at Eve, with determination in his eyes. "It’s too late to stop him now. We’ll wait and see."

Eve pursed her lips, casually sitting upright again. "No objections from me. Either way, whether he does a terrible movie or not, it doesn’t affect me. I wouldn't mind seeing Anson Wood act the fool on the big screen—God, that would be quite the show."

Chapter 954: A Happy Ending

Off to the side, Eve was making sarcastic comments, enjoying the drama. As the PR manager, she didn’t need to worry about or intervene in Anson’s career choices.

Edgar wanted to point out that Anson's public image was part of Eve’s job. They had worked hard to craft a new persona for him, and if Anson took on a terrible role or starred in a flop, all their efforts would be wasted, and it would impact Eve’s work too.

One small move could affect the entire situation.

But at this moment, Edgar didn’t have time to argue with Eve. His full attention was on Anson.

He trusted Anson. At least, he wanted to trust Anson.

However, as his agent, Edgar’s instincts were still screaming at him. He wished he could understand and control the whole situation, hoping things wouldn’t spiral out of control or into chaos.

The scene before him made Edgar’s stomach churn, his muscles tensing as he struggled to hold himself in place.

Edgar and Anson locked eyes.

Eve could clearly see that Anson was provoking Edgar—testing or challenging him, maybe both. But this time, Edgar chose patience and trust.

Not just Edgar—Eve found it more intriguing as well.

At first, this job had seemed like a simple task, nothing special. But slowly, things were becoming interesting.

So, Eve wondered, did Anson really know what he was doing? And what exactly was Anson planning?

Obviously, Anson wasn’t some naive kid who would foolishly tell Gary the whole truth—that would be idiotic. If Anson did that, Eve was sure she’d take his earlier advice and end their partnership immediately, distancing herself from such an idealist.

But if that wasn’t the case, what was Anson’s game here, calling Gary without consulting Edgar?

There was a bit of excitement.

In their minds, countless thoughts were racing in just a split second, but in reality, it was only a brief exchange of glances.

The air felt quiet, and if you listened closely, you could almost hear Gary’s voice on the other end of the line.

“‘The Princess Diaries’? What about it?”

Hearts skipped a beat.

Anson: …

“I’m very sorry I missed out on that project. I wanted to formally apologize.”

Phew.

Breathing resumed as both Edgar and Eve sighed in relief.

“But, director, what’s going on with the script?”

With that one line, the tension in the room surged again.

“Anson, you’re reopening old wounds,” Gary chuckled awkwardly, shaking his head. He had no idea about the tense undercurrents on the other end of the call, but he had plenty of thoughts himself.

Clearly, “The Princess Diaries 2” had become a mess, and no one understood that better than Gary.

After a long exhale, Gary decided to speak. “Honestly, we didn’t know what to do with you.”

“I know you didn’t mind playing a secondary role, but Disney wasn’t happy. They have ambition but no vision; they have desire but refuse to pay the price.”

“It’s been a disaster.”

“Maybe stepping away from the project was the right move. You might’ve saved us. Now, we can start fresh and create something new without the baggage.”

“Sorry, Anson, no offense meant.”

Anson smiled, “Director, I’m hurt. So, next time I’m in L.A., you owe me a martini, right?”

Gary laughed heartily, “Of course, no problem.”

Actually, things could’ve ended smoothly—

Disney wanted to milk Anson’s value, but the creative team couldn’t find a balance or entry point. Anson stepping back was, in the end, a happy resolution for everyone.

So, Edgar’s judgment had been correct.

But what started as a simple matter became complicated due to Edgar’s stubbornness.

Now, in all of this, who was right and who was wrong? How could you even begin to calculate?

Anson glanced meaningfully at Edgar. The tension in the room remained, but the conversation continued.

“In fact, the reason I called the director today, besides apologizing, was to share an idea. But now it seems like it’s unnecessary.”

Gary’s eyes widened—was this the real purpose behind the call?

“Oh? An idea? What idea?” Gary admitted he was curious.

Anson didn’t drag it out. “In the first movie, Michael and Mia had a happy ending. If Michael isn’t in the sequel, there has to be a reason. I wouldn’t mind making a cameo—whether it’s a voiceover, a video clip, or a letter.”

Gary lit up, “That would be perfect! We’ve been worried about that, actually. It wouldn’t make sense for the male lead from the first movie to just disappear in the sequel. If you’re willing to make a cameo…”

Anson: “For free. It’s a free cameo.”

Gary: “Oh, well then, our production team has hit the jackpot!”

Anson noticed Edgar’s look of exasperation and grinned, “Well, maybe free isn’t great. How about you pay me a symbolic one dollar?”

Gary burst into laughter, “No problem, I can afford that paycheck.”

Anson laughed too. “As for Michael’s exit, I have an idea. Doesn’t Michael have a hobby band? Maybe the band could be on a European tour, and he and Mia decide to take a break.”

Gary’s mouth dropped open, speechless.

Not just Gary—Edgar and Eve exchanged a glance, and inspiration hit them both at once.

Of course, Anson was still Anson. They never had to worry about him messing up. On the contrary, Anson always managed to find a fresh angle, bringing surprise and turning the situation around completely.

Worried?

No need. Now, it was time to be ecstatic.

In a flash of inspiration, Eve was already imagining her next steps.

First, she could link Michael’s band tour with “The Princess Diaries 2” in the publicity campaign. It was free promotion, after all—why waste it?

Second, from a PR angle, this was the perfect chance to repair Anson’s image for missing out on the sequel.

Earlier, news about Anson’s schedule conflict and his absence from the sequel, though reasonable and common in Hollywood, had still sparked gossip.

The more famous you are, the more people talk.

Some even mocked Anson, saying he was too big of a star for “The Princess Diaries 2.”

At the time, Eve hadn’t responded because there was no need. That kind of gossip happens every day in Hollywood, and those bitter comments didn’t deserve attention. But now that they had a chance to clap back and rebuild Anson’s image, Eve wasn’t going to let it slip.

Look, didn’t all those people get it wrong?

Now, despite missing the sequel, Anson had never forgotten Gary Marshall’s mentorship. No matter what people said, Anson had a great relationship with the team, and he was still contributing in his own way to the sequel, making up for his absence.

That’s the real story.

*Chapter 955: Changing Fate*

In general, public relations is often about adapting to changing circumstances, like soldiers guarding against enemy attacks or land holding back water. Wherever a crisis arises, public relations swoop in.

But truly skilled PR professionals act before a crisis even appears, gradually crafting a perfect public image step by step.

What does that mean?

Let’s take Tom Hanks as an example. He’s a world-renowned superstar. Maybe he’s not as handsome as Tom Cruise or Brad Pitt, and maybe he doesn’t exude the same magnetic charm as George Clooney or Will Smith, but his public image has undoubtedly become a brand in itself.

Now imagine a rumor starts circulating that Tom Hanks has been abusing his wife. How would the public react?

There would likely be a variety of responses, but the voices defending and supporting Tom Hanks would probably dominate. Why? Because his established image has nothing to do with violence.

Of course, this is just an example. I’m not suggesting Tom Hanks is actually guilty of anything, nor that his entire image is just the result of PR work. The point here is: this is what PR does.

They go with the flow and create a brand.

When there's no situation to handle, PR teams are responsible for creating one. That's why we regularly see public figures involved in charity work or hear about charitable deeds they’ve done quietly, only to reveal them when the timing is right.

When there is a crisis, PR teams use it to their advantage. The focus isn’t on the problem itself—PR professionals actually worry when there isn’t a problem. They need issues to showcase their skills. The real key lies in how they respond once a crisis hits.

That’s exactly what's happening now.

Previously, some people complained about Anson missing the filming of The Princess Diaries 2, but Eve didn’t bother responding. Now, however, she feels it’s time to fight back.

The goal isn’t just to address the online critics. The real aim is to leave an impression on Hollywood studios: this is Anson's loyalty, this is who he is. Whether it’s The Princess Diaries 2 or Spider-Man 2, Anson hasn’t let success go to his head after his rise to fame. He’s still grounded.

So, what are you waiting for? Send the scripts flying this way!

But that’s not all.

Thirdly, it’s also a chance to emphasize that Anson is serious about his band, contrary to the online gossip suggesting he’s just playing around for fun.

Maybe—just maybe—it would be nice if people gave the August 31st band's music a listen, or checked out their album. And if this boosts album sales or the band's recognition, that wouldn’t be a bad bonus.

All these thoughts raced through Eve’s mind, one after another. A small event or a little action could open the door to endless possibilities.

This is the magic of PR.

While Eve’s brain was running at high speed, Gary was left frozen and speechless, momentarily stunned.

Anson hadn’t heard a response. “Director?”

Gary finally snapped out of it. “Yes, yes, this is fantastic... absolutely brilliant.”

“Wait, Anson, are you talking about your band’s European tour?”

Anson replied, “Yes.”

Gary was thrilled. “Wow, so can we use footage of your band’s European tour in the film?”

Anson nodded. “Of course. You can work out the details with Warner Records, and I’ll give them a heads-up. But I don’t think it’ll be a problem.”

Gary took a few deep breaths, still beaming with excitement. “I think I’m getting light-headed. Maybe I can add a scene where Mia sneaks a look at your band’s European tour online.”

“See? Even though you two are apart, Mia still can’t forget Michael completely. It’s more natural that way.”

In the previous timeline that Anson was familiar with, The Princess Diaries 2 didn’t feature Michael either, since Robert Schwartzman, who played him, left to pursue his music career.

But the difference was, in that timeline, Robert didn’t leave any parting message or appearance, which left the production in a tricky spot. Michael’s character just disappeared with little explanation, leaving fans puzzled. This disconnect created a jarring feeling between the films.

Now, history was repeating itself with Anson missing the sequel. But at least this time, Anson could help avoid the same awkward situation by giving the filmmakers a reason for his character’s absence and smoothing the transition.

Gary was beyond excited—no, more than that, his heart was racing with passion and joy.

Eventually, his excitement turned into a wide grin, and he couldn’t contain his laughter. “Anson, you really didn’t have to do all this.”

Anson nodded. “I know.”

Gary paused, surprised.

Anson continued, “But I want to do it.”

Gary’s grin widened.

Anson added with a lighthearted tone, “Don’t forget, this is still a paid gig. All for the paycheck.”

“Haha! Hahaha!” Gary couldn’t hold back his laughter any longer. “Don’t worry, I won’t forget.”

It wasn’t perfect—after all, in an ideal world, Anson would be starring in the sequel alongside Anne Hathaway, and The Princess Diaries 2 would gross $300 million at the North American box office, skyrocketing both Anson and Anne’s careers.

But that was just a fantasy. Reality wasn’t so simple.

Still, life is rarely perfect. Even in imperfection, Anson had found a way to keep things moving forward.

After hanging up the phone, Anson turned to Edgar and casually remarked, “Captain, let’s make sure this doesn’t happen again.”

That single sentence sent a chill down Edgar’s spine. He couldn’t even meet Anson’s gaze.

Anson had long realized that his presence was altering the course of history. This was a parallel timeline, and the butterfly effect was changing the world around him. However, this time, he hadn’t expected to change someone else’s fate.

That person was Chris Pine.

This actor, who would go on to star in films like Star Trek, Wonder Woman, and Dungeons & Dragons, was one of Hollywood's “Big Four Chrises,” alongside Chris Evans, Chris Hemsworth, and Chris Pratt. He came from a Hollywood family—his grandmother was an actress, and his grandfather was a lawyer in the industry. His parents were also actors, though mostly in supporting roles, both with careers spanning two decades.

Given his background, you’d think Chris Pine’s career in Hollywood would have been smooth sailing, at least when it came to getting his foot in the door.

But that wasn’t the case.

At twenty-three years old, he was still stuck in television, playing minor roles—characters with a few lines or even just dead bodies in medical and detective dramas.

Not only that, but his older sister, who also aspired to be an actress, hadn’t had much luck either and eventually switched careers to become a clinical psychologist.

At this point, Chris’s bank account wasn’t just empty—it was in the red. He didn’t even know how he’d pay next month’s rent.

He had been asking his family for help with rent for three months now. Working as a bartender to make ends meet, he jumped at any audition opportunity he could find.

Chris was seriously considering whether he should change careers.

Then, he got a phone call.