391-395

*Chapter 391: Dual Forces of Ice and Fire*

"Supernova causing trouble, acting arrogant, and attacking a random passerby?"

The latest issue of Entertainment Weekly featured an astonishing new face on its cover:

Anson Wood.

But, of course, with negative news attached—

Once again proving Hollywood's age-old rule: the more famous you get, the more scandals follow.

On the cover, Anson is depicted with rolled-up sleeves, fury on his face as he roars at a poor driver who’s cowering and scrambling to roll up his window, seemingly fearing for his life.

You have to admit, the angle and composition of this photo are quite artistic, resembling something out of an African wildlife documentary:

Anson is the lion, and the driver is the terrified tourist.

See? It’s obvious who’s the civilized human and who’s the wild animal. The photo subtly implies that the innocent driver was minding his business when suddenly, a thoughtless, irrational "animal" viciously attacked him. The stance is clear: this single photo communicates more than words, shaping the reader’s perception right away. A few more words of guidance, and the message sinks in.

This is the power of media manipulation.

In the past few months, following the success of The Princess Diaries, appearances at Paris Fashion Week, and a feature in Vogue, Anson had burst into the public eye with a string of positive exposure, significantly boosting his recognition and influence. So, with Entertainment Weekly’s scoop, it was easy to draw everyone’s attention.

The buzz was huge.

However, the man at the center of the storm remained remarkably calm.

Wearing sunglasses, carrying a luggage bag, and walking with a spring in his step, Anson breezed through his front door. Having just left the freezing East Coast behind, he now stepped into the warm California sunshine, feeling instantly relaxed. Despite his ongoing busy schedule, there was an easy vacation-like vibe, and all the chaos was already behind him.

The Catch Me If You Can shoot in New York had wrapped up, and the crew was moving to Los Angeles. There wasn’t much downtime—just a half-day to adjust before the next shoot in the afternoon.

Anson was home simply to drop off his luggage and unwind for a couple of hours before heading to the set.

As soon as he opened the door, he was surprised to find Chris Evans and Brad Renfro standing in the living room, deep in conversation, both looking a bit grim.

“Hey,” Anson greeted, a little surprised. “What are you guys doing here? Running lines?”

Over the past year, with everyone getting busier, the days of lounging around under the same roof, drinking and chatting, had become rarer.

But that was a good thing.

Chris, mid-sentence, stopped talking and looked at Anson, momentarily at a loss for words.

Anson raised his hand in a gesture, “Go ahead, keep talking.”

He was about to head upstairs when Chris stopped him, “Why are you acting like nothing’s wrong?”

Anson: Why wouldn’t I act like this?

Brad shot a helpless glance at Chris’s incomplete sentence. “What he means is, aren’t you worried about the Entertainment Weekly report?”

Chris nodded quickly, “Yeah, the media’s spouting nonsense again.”

Anson chuckled lightly, “Didn’t you guys see the photo? It’s undeniable evidence.”

Chris threw his hands up. “Come on, Anson. Anyone who knows you even a little would understand that you’re not the type to provoke people or bully the weak.”

Brad smirked, making a joke with his usual laid-back demeanor, “With those soft punches of yours, you’re hardly a threat.”

There was no interrogation, no prying—just unconditional trust, with both of them standing firmly on Anson’s side.

Anson felt a warmth in his heart. “It was just a road-rage driver. I was helping an elderly lady. Don’t worry, it’s nothing serious.”

In just a few words, he dismissed the whole affair as casually as if he were yawning.

But Chris still looked worried.

Brad, however, didn’t seem to show much of a reaction. Still in his usual half-asleep state, he glanced up and down at Anson lazily, “You sure? We all know how Hollywood works. Even the simplest things can get blown out of proportion by the media.”

Chris nodded vigorously in agreement.

How could Anson explain the complex details of the situation to Chris and Brad?

After thinking for a moment, Anson motioned toward the door behind him. “Did you notice any paparazzi outside? There’s no need to worry. Edgar’s already handling it.”

Chris paused, “Yeah, come to think of it, there aren’t any paparazzi out there.”

He turned to Brad, who blinked his eyes a little wider. “Looks like it’s not as serious as we thought. We don’t need to worry about you after all.”

Anson wasn’t lying.

Let’s rewind the clock a bit.

While Anson was shooting Catch Me If You Can in New York, paparazzi had been trailing him intermittently, trying to get a scoop on his first collaboration with Steven.

At this point, street shots of the cast weren’t worth much. What the paparazzi really wanted was a shot of Anson, Steven, and Tom together. But with Tom yet to show up on set, their photos were just sitting unsold, and no magazine was interested in publishing them.

Then the paparazzi caught that infamous moment.

Though its value was… pretty limited.

Anson’s biggest curiosity now was: did the paparazzi not capture the part where he punched that big guy?

---

If possible, Anson would like to see those photos. He has been worried about that boy and his mother, always hoping to confirm their safety. The street where the incident happened was relatively secluded, with no surveillance cameras, so Anson has never been able to find them. It seemed as though the boy just disappeared.

Additionally, compared to the altercation with the driver, the photos of Anson beating up the burly man were much more intense—it was full-on, with punches landing hard.

Strangely enough, no paparazzi caught it.

It’s likely that Anson was sprinting so fast that the paparazzi couldn’t keep up and missed the real action, only capturing the aftermath.

Unfortunately, this significantly reduced the news value.

So, the paparazzi thought about maximizing profit and separately sent the edited photos to Edgar and Steven, offering to do the crew a favor—

The subtext being: doing them a favor in exchange for something else; or swapping the photos for other pictures or news. As long as the paparazzi could get more valuable material, these photos could be written off.

Blackmail?

No need to make it sound that harsh; let’s call it a mutually beneficial collaboration.

What they didn’t expect was how Edgar handled things swiftly and decisively.

On one hand, Edgar contacted Steven directly to discuss how to resolve the matter.

On the other hand, Edgar gathered information, piecing together the full picture.

Naturally, the first thing Edgar did was contact Anson. After understanding the whole story, not only did he immediately reach out to the staff who were present, but he also contacted the elderly lady right away.

Edgar wasn’t done yet. He then reached out to Eve, asking her to work with the NYPD to obtain traffic footage from the main street. Not only did they get the entire video recording of the event, but they also contacted drivers who had been stuck in traffic behind the scene, gathering both witnesses and evidence to firmly establish the truth.

And then.

That night, Edgar and Steven had a discussion and came to a consensus. They both believed it was better to manage the situation proactively—

These kinds of incidents usually don’t happen just once, especially with Anson's career rapidly rising. Similar situations are bound to happen more frequently in the future.

Rather than treating negative news like a disaster, they decided to take a proactive approach by using this relatively minor "negative news" as a breakthrough to show Anson's PR team’s strength and send a signal to the paparazzi: Anson is definitely not an easy target.

At the same time, they could use this opportunity to kick off the first wave of promotion for "Catch Me If You Can."

Edgar and Steven hit it off immediately. After thorough discussions with Eve and crafting a well-thought-out plan, they dropped the bomb.

They didn’t even respond to the paparazzi, leaving them hanging.

The paparazzo waited and waited but got no answer. Then they tried reaching out directly to Anson, but still, no response—it was like dropping a stone into the sea. This made the paparazzo start questioning everything:

Did I send it to the wrong number?

After repeatedly confirming that they hadn't made a mistake, the paparazzo finally realized they were being ignored.

Chapter 392: Behind-the-Scenes Struggle

From the paparazzi’s perspective, Anson is just a newcomer, and Edgar is a rookie agent. They are working with industry heavyweights like Steven and Tom, terrified of becoming disposable pawns in the production, unable to handle any negative press interference—even if it’s fake.

Everyone knows that the world of fame never cares about the truth. Reputation, image, and labels are like product packaging—that’s what matters most in this arena.

One person's poison is another's honey.

The same piece of news might be of limited value to them, but for Anson, it could be worth a fortune.

Thus, the paparazzi believed Anson and Edgar would choose to cooperate, trading a harmless piece of news for something more substantial, or perhaps to build a favor for the future. In his view, this was the wisest move.

After all, things like this happen frequently in Hollywood.

What he didn’t expect was to encounter someone tough.

Not just tough, but also sharp, shrewd, and quick-witted.

Edgar dared to shake things up, and Anson actually trusted Edgar fully. Together, these two fearless individuals seized the moment to fight back, turning a crisis into an opportunity.

While the paparazzi was casually drinking beer and waiting, Edgar had already been pulling the strings, quietly overturning the situation.

In fact, the world of fame is just a game, a chessboard—it's all about who can stay calm, who can see the bigger picture, and who can take the first move.

And then—

Bang!

When the paparazzi realized that both Edgar and Anson had completely ignored him, he sensed danger. Things might be trickier than he had initially thought.

So, what should the paparazzi do?

Anger is one thing, shame is another. But having survived in this cutthroat industry like a cockroach, with an unbelievable will to live, the paparazzi had his own skills.

He shifted the crisis, escaping unscathed.

With a quick pivot, the paparazzi sold the photos to Entertainment Weekly, making a small profit. This was his response to Edgar, while also distancing himself from the situation, transforming from a participant to a bystander, just there to watch the drama unfold.

And so.

The scene before us began to play out.

But is there any need to worry?

Not at all.

Edgar had everything under control, with Eve working tirelessly on the front lines. On top of that, Steven and Tom were standing guard, ensuring all was well.

As expected.

After Entertainment Weekly broke the news, neither Anson nor the Catch Me If You Can crew made an immediate statement. They continued with their work as planned, allowing the rumors to buzz around for a while. The buzz grew louder, to the point where NBC's Today Show, the morning news powerhouse, gave it serious attention and discussed it on air. Then—

The timing was just right.

The reversal arrived.

Complete video footage, full photos, paired with testimonies from those involved and eyewitnesses, pieced together the full picture of what had happened like a puzzle.

The truth was revealed, clearing Anson’s name.

Not only was he not at fault, but he was actually a hero.

Most importantly, from the start, Anson had never truly threatened the driver. He had merely responded to provocation. The scenes shown in Entertainment Weekly had no connection to the truth whatsoever.

Now, things got interesting.

Because of the unexpected event, the conflict, and the negative press, the reversal of the truth rallied public opinion behind Anson. Amid the chaos, people also began to see the edges of Anson's personality—something different from his film roles or fashion week appearances, injecting a quiet vitality into his image.

Gradually, the news began to explore the event more deeply.

First, there was a detailed interview with the elderly woman, who recounted every detail of the three-minute incident. Then, behind-the-scenes stories from the production crew started to emerge, and that’s when the full story was finally known—

As it turned out, Anson had been in the middle of filming a scene and was so deep into his character that he couldn’t distinguish between reality and fiction. He was so immersed in the role that he couldn’t pull himself out, leading him to flee the set and run uncontrollably. This was actually part of his character’s emotional journey, and the next scene was supposed to film him running down the street. However, Anson lost control, and the camera crew couldn’t keep up. He was already long gone.

That unexpected sprint ended up helping Anson reconnect with himself, allowing him to fully immerse in the character. The subsequent scenes were shot flawlessly.

"Winning applause from the entire crowd."

With just one sentence, the buzz exploded, and all attention shifted toward the Catch Me If You Can crew.

Wait, since when did Steven’s work start focusing on acting? And now, there's a rising star in acting alongside Tom Hanks?

At first, everyone thought Anson was just eye candy, cast in Catch Me If You Can purely because of his looks. But now, there’s a surprise?

The topic exploded into full bloom.

Now, there was no stopping it.

And more than that, the focus completely shifted. No one cared about that poor road rage driver anymore, and no one was interested in Anson’s negative press. All the discussions turned toward Catch Me If You Can, with some even speculating—

Given Anson’s usual personality, it was hard to imagine him having a direct confrontation with an enraged driver. After all, who knows if that driver might pull out a weapon? And Anson losing control that day was simply an extension of his deep immersion in the role, further confirming rumors about the production.

That’s also why, when Entertainment Weekly first broke the news, Anson didn’t respond. In a way, Anson felt guilty about losing control due to being too deep into character. Regardless of the truth, he knew he shouldn’t have engaged with the driver, and that fit with his usual image.

At this point, the situation was settled.

That’s when the paparazzo who leaked the story realized what kind of trap he had fallen into. Luckily for him, he had quickly cut his losses and didn’t get too greedy. Otherwise, after the reversal, he would’ve been left to shoulder all the blame, becoming prey for other industry vultures.

And now?

The only one left wounded was Entertainment Weekly.

Though Entertainment Weekly and US Weekly are typical gossip magazines known for spreading rumors and sensational stories, constantly attracting criticism, they had become used to it—just another day at the office.

However, it’s not often that they stumble this hard. Without verifying the story with at least two sources, they jumped to conclusions and launched a careless attack, only to be smacked down and turned into an industry joke. While they weren’t completely ruined, the embarrassment was hard to shake off.

Entertainment Weekly: Flat out and taking the punches.

Throughout the entire incident, Anson remained at the center of the storm, with every conversation revolving around him—yet very few noticed that Anson had never given an interview from the beginning to the end—

Quietly invisible.

Is that even possible?

But the reality was just that. Despite standing at the eye of the storm, Anson never truly felt the crisis; instead, he watched it unfold like an outsider.

After this incident, the public perception and label of Catch Me If You Can shifted dramatically, with its popularity continuing to rise. And the real beneficiary was Anson. No longer just a handsome face or a pretty prop, this paper-thin figure in the public eye was slowly taking on flesh and bone.

Is this normal?

*Chapter 393: Drought Warning*

Can you imagine it?

Not long ago, Anson, who had just been labeled as a model due to Paris Fashion Week, experienced a surprising twist of fate. He suddenly transformed into an actor who became so deeply immersed in his role that he couldn’t distinguish between himself and the character. This stunning 180-degree turn caught everyone off guard, leaving Hollywood in a state of shock.

In fact, if it had been the result of promotional efforts by the production team, praise from critics, or media endorsements, it would have come across as too blatant an “advertisement,” and it would have been hard to convince the audience. People aren’t fools; they can see through such tactics.

However, this time, it wasn’t the case.

A negative news story evolved into an unexpected accident, which then led to the truth being revealed. This entire twist-filled narrative was entirely different, and it was incredibly convincing.

People were willing to buy into it.

Even those who remained skeptical, thinking that Anson’s deep immersion into the role was just part of the production team’s publicity stunt, couldn’t help but silently absorb one thought, one impression:

Versatility.

In a short period, Anson had sparked heated discussions in both the fashion world and as an actor. Whether people believed it or not, the impression had quietly taken root in their minds, waiting for the day when spring would come—

To take root, sprout, and grow strong.

It must be said that Edgar’s move was brilliant!

Now, let’s return to the present.

Facing Chris and Brad’s concerns, Anson didn’t know where to begin because the entire plan was too complicated and involved too many factors. Any misstep in any link could deviate from the course and lead to complete failure.

So, how should he explain it?

Anson chose the simplest and most direct method:

The paparazzi.

Obviously, things weren’t that simple.

Some paparazzi returned to New York to dig deeper, while others focused on eyewitnesses at the scene. They quickly realized that the information had already been thoroughly investigated, and the witnesses had already been protected, indicating that things were not simple.

One after another, the paparazzi sensed something was wrong, so they abandoned Anson as a “pawn” and instead surrounded Steven and Tom, believing that Anson was not capable of orchestrating such a plan. They decided to target the big shots.

As a result, Anson enjoyed some peace and quiet.

Brad’s eyes revealed a deep meaning, hinting that he could guess the situation was more complex than it seemed, after all, he had been in Hollywood for many years.

However, Chris, who was still new to the industry, couldn’t see through the surface to the essence of the situation and was full of confusion. He kept glancing back and forth between Anson and Brad, “Wait, you two are exchanging looks. What’s the secret?”

A smile crept up on Anson’s lips.

Anson didn’t dodge the question, “Shh, Chris, be careful, or the aliens will take you.”

At first, Chris looked nervous, but he didn’t expect the sudden twist at the end. He immediately raised his right hand, flipping his middle finger in response.

“Haha.” Anson laughed heartily and then made a small joke, “Do you two have secrets too? Just now, you both looked more serious than me. What’s wrong, is Los Angeles entering the dry season again?”

Los Angeles, surrounded by desert, has no rain at all and must be careful of wildfires.

Last year, after more than seven months of drought with no rain, every household had to conserve water, but a small wildfire still broke out in October. It wasn’t until December that a timely rain finally alleviated the situation.

This year, the weather forecast for Los Angeles was still pessimistic, and people were worried about drought.

If it’s true, it would indeed be very serious. Not only would daily life be affected, but the production costs for various film crews would also rise, meaning the cash flow for “Catch Me If You Can” might face severe challenges again.

Of course, Anson was also worried.

The so-called joke was mainly to tease Brad and Chris for not paying attention to the drought issue, while other concerns paled in comparison to natural disasters.

Chris immediately caught on, “Ha, ha, very funny. No, we’re not worried about the end of the world; we’re worried about Hayden.”

Anson was taken aback, “Hayden?”

Brad, slightly annoyed, averted his gaze, showing a hint of impatience, clearly not wanting to elaborate.

Chris explained, “Hayden left.”

“What do you mean by ‘Hayden left’? That’s so vague.”

“You don’t know? Hayden moved out without telling anyone.”

Anson: ...

“Huh?” To be honest, Anson hadn’t expected this twist.

Anson thought for a moment, “No, Hayden paid this month’s rent. I remember seeing the transfer record.”

He habitually reached for his phone, only to realize a beat later that the current brick phone couldn’t check bank records, leaving his hand awkwardly frozen in place.

Chris shook his head, “His room is empty; nothing’s left behind.”

Anson frowned and quickly walked to Hayden’s room. He opened the door and saw that Chris wasn’t lying—

It was completely empty.

Only an empty bed frame and two desks remained, the furniture that originally came with the house, perfectly matching the vintage decor.

Anson was left speechless, “That mattress was also the landlord’s furniture.”

Chris was at a loss for words.

But Brad got the joke and burst out laughing.

Chris protested, “Hey, you two! Hayden’s gone, and we don’t know what happened, but you’re still joking around!”

Brad casually waved his hand, “Hayden’s an adult; he doesn’t need us to worry. Besides, he packed up everything, so it’s clearly not a kidnapping or fleeing from guilt.”

Chris was left speechless, “But why did he disappear without a word? Anson, did Hayden mention anything to you about leaving?”

Anson shook his head.

Chris said, “Right, Brad and I don’t know either. I just asked James, and he has no idea. Although I suspect that guy is high on something right now, given how out of it he seems, Hayden probably wouldn’t have told him anyway.”

“Pfft,” Brad raised an eyebrow, showing a hint of disdain and scorn. “It’s probably not that complicated. ‘Star Wars: Episode I’ is about to be released, and Hayden thinks he’s about to hit the big time. He doesn’t need us nobodies anymore and is worried I’ll latch onto him to ride his coattails, so he’s cutting ties early.”

Chris didn’t believe it. “Brad! That’s not Hayden’s character.”

Brad didn’t back down, “Before fame, sure, that wasn’t who he was. But after fame? Not even he knows how he might change. Wake up, we’re in Hollywood—the most realistic, cold-blooded, and brutal place in the world. This isn’t Disneyland.”

Chris was momentarily stunned, his face full of stubbornness, trying to refute Brad but not knowing where to start.

Then Anson spoke up, “Hayden isn’t that kind of person.”

Brad glared at Anson.

Anson calmly met his gaze, “He isn’t. But his agent might be.”

“Hayden’s a fool, but his agent knows what’s going to happen once the movie comes out. It’s a film destined not to fail, unlike James’s and my ‘Spider-Man,’ where plenty of media outlets are predicting it won’t make a splash at the box office. This means Hayden could be used.”

“To be more precise, he could be used by James and me, leveraging Hayden to promote ‘Spider-Man.’”

Anson spoke with complete honesty. After all, the only ones here who needed a massive promotional push were him and James. Although they were the leads in a top-tier production and could potentially help Hayden, they could just as easily become his competition.

It’s a math problem.

### Chapter 394: Disappearing Without a Trace

Brad was a pessimist, even to the point of cynicism, with spikes all over his demeanor.

He had been through it—abandoned and hurt by this bizarre, fickle, and hypocritical world of fame and fortune, left bleeding and battered, and still standing in the mud, unable to completely shake it off.

However, hearing Anson's self-deprecating yet calm and objective analysis, Brad couldn’t help but take another look at him, unsure of how to respond.

"So, are you worried the movie might fail?" Brad asked, somewhat awkwardly.

Anson shrugged lightly. "Who isn’t? Hollywood has come up with a whole series of successful formulas, but no one can guarantee a film’s success. If Hayden’s agent is worried that our movie might fail and drag him down as he ascends to superstardom, I don’t blame him. He has every reason to believe that."

Chris was at a loss for words. "Anson!"

Looking at Chris's anxious expression, Anson, the one directly involved, seemed remarkably relaxed. "Chris, don’t worry. A movie won’t succeed just because I pray to God, nor will it fail just because I say so. There’s no need to take it so seriously."

Chris glared at Anson in exasperation, his expression showing utter disbelief.

Anson laughed out loud, then shifted back to the topic. "But I still don’t believe Hayden left for that reason."

Brad was stunned and then laughed out of sheer frustration. "Why not?"

Anson shrugged again. "Maybe his agent made that demand, but Hayden had no need to leave so sneakily."

"He could have left with any excuse—found a better apartment, moved in with his girlfriend, or needed to seclude himself for his next role. He had a hundred legitimate reasons to leave."

"We’re friends, but there’s no obligation."

"Even if he just said he wanted a change of environment, we’d have no reason to stop him. Why would he leave without a word and make it look suspicious?"

"Honestly, if Hayden didn’t want me or James to use him, then he should have avoided leaving so stealthily, like a guilty person."

"If that happened, I could easily drop a hint, share a bit of gossip, and there you have it—negative news, which always gets more attention than boring news like ‘we’re roommates.’"

Of course, Anson admitted that trusting Hayden’s character was a big reason; but more importantly, Hayden had no reason to act that way—even if he wanted to cut ties.

It just didn’t make sense.

Chris was quickly convinced, nodding repeatedly as he looked from Anson to Brad. "Yes, exactly! He didn’t need to do this. Something must have happened."

Brad was speechless. He glanced at Chris with a look of exasperation, then turned back to Anson, letting out a soft sigh. "Maybe, just maybe, that’s the case."

"Believe me, I hope you’re right, but reality often disappoints."

Brad wanted to believe in friendship, to believe that something pure still existed in Hollywood, but reality was often cruel—

Chris’s belief was blind and unconditional, showing that he hadn’t truly been hurt before, so Brad didn’t want to delve deeper.

Anson’s belief, however, was a conviction—analyzed calmly, based on facts, with a little hope for humanity.

Brad wanted to believe Anson. He hoped Anson was right.

But...

"Even if you’re right, why did Hayden change his phone number and not give us his new one?"

Brad looked at Anson, waiting for an answer.

Anson froze for a moment—

In Hollywood, changing phone numbers every so often was common because paparazzi were everywhere, often digging up their numbers; and because publicists had vast networks, frequently calling their private numbers to harass them.

Managers like Edgar typically had three to five phone numbers, different versions of business cards, and would tailor their approach to different situations and targets.

Actors were no different.

For top-tier stars, a phone number might only be valid for a month, or even two weeks; for rising actors like Anson, it wasn’t as extreme, but changing numbers every three to six months was becoming a trend.

Naturally, every time they changed numbers, notifying close friends became a necessity—

If they didn’t, the unspoken message was clear.

Obviously, Anson hadn’t anticipated this, and he couldn’t help but look at Chris.

Chris looked a bit embarrassed but nodded to confirm. "The old number has been deactivated."

Brad crossed his arms, eagerly waiting for Anson’s reply.

Anson spread his hands. "Okay, I might have been wrong."

That’s it?

Admitting he was wrong so decisively?

Brad was caught off guard. He had expected Anson to keep arguing, and for a moment, he couldn’t tell if he was happy or disappointed.

On one hand, he was glad he was right.

But on the other hand, he wished Anson had given him a different answer.

Chris was much simpler, exclaiming, "Anson!"

Anson just shrugged.

Chris was left frustrated and at a loss.

Anson finally spoke, “What I mean is that something is clearly off. There are not just doubts, but it all feels inexplicably strange without a reasonable explanation.”

“Of course, Brad might be right. Sometimes, the simplest answer is the correct one, even if it’s the one we don’t want to be true.”

“But the question marks are still there.”

“I think, rather than us sitting here speculating—whether it’s positive, negative, optimistic, or pessimistic—and trying to convince each other without finding the right answer, it’s better to be patient. When we see Hayden next, let’s ask him directly.”

“Let’s hear his answer and then decide.”

Anson understood that people are subjective, and when they think about issues, they tend to view things from their own perspective, shaping facts based on their own wishes. But facts don’t always represent the truth; sometimes they’re completely different.

He had experienced this firsthand in his previous life.

After what happened to his father, he and his mother fled in panic, like dogs with their tails between their legs, without contacting any friends—not just because they didn’t have the energy, but also because of shame and embarrassment, not knowing how to start the conversation.

They missed the initial opportunity, and after that, they couldn’t find another one.

When he later reunited with friends, they were angry, they complained, they mocked him, thinking he didn’t consider them friends. But he couldn’t argue; a thousand words eventually boiled down to a single apology.

Those years, he spent a lot of time apologizing—to victims, to friends, to colleagues at work—but no one was ever willing to listen to his story.

Of course, Anson wasn’t saying that something terrible had happened to Hayden—things probably weren’t that serious; otherwise, the news would’ve reported it by now.

He was simply suggesting that maybe he couldn’t keep defending Hayden, but at the very least, they should give Hayden a chance. They should find out what really happened before deciding whether this friendship was worth continuing.

Even then, it wouldn’t be too late.

Brad silently watched Anson, and gradually, he calmed down. The agitation, the sharp edges, the prickliness—all of it quietly settled.

*Chapter 395: Breaking the Contradiction*

“Sorry, the number you dialed is unavailable. Please check the number and try again.”

Again and again, the voice message coming through the phone remained unchanged, cold and distant, repeating the same known answer.

Frustrating.

Edgar glanced up at Anson. "Do you want me to find out Hayden's number? Believe me, it'll only take a few minutes."

Anson chuckled. "Of course, I believe you."

“Hollywood is just a small circle. We'll run into each other eventually, I’m not worried about finding Hayden. We could bump into each other in Burbank any day.”

"But that's what puzzles me the most."

“He knows we’ll cross paths again soon, so why disappear in such a bizarre way?”

It was hard to understand.

But because of this, Anson became even more curious about meeting Hayden again—

Edgar glanced at Anson again. “So, you’re not planning to question him?”

“Haha, no, of course not. There’s no need to question him, and I have no right to.” Anson smiled. “We’re just casual friends, not close enough for that. I’m just a little curious, that’s all. So, I’m looking forward to a conversation.”

Edgar felt conflicted.

At moments like these, Edgar thought Anson didn’t seem like a nineteen-year-old at all—no impulsiveness, no recklessness. Instead, he had a calmness that seemed to come from years of experience.

Yet, at the same time, Anson still carried a heart full of innocence, truly believing in the goodness of people, untouched by the corrupting influence of fame.

It was oddly contradictory.

After some thought, Edgar couldn’t help but advise, “You should lower your expectations.”

Anson’s smile didn’t fade. “Why, are you worried I’ll be disappointed?”

Edgar was blunt. “No, I’m sure you will be disappointed.”

Anson shrugged lightly, unfazed. “Then it’ll be like getting a lesson for free.”

Edgar was taken aback. “Free?”

Anson nodded. “Of course, I haven’t lost anything. He didn’t owe me any rent. In today’s harsh world, many people have to pay to learn a lesson, and if I can get one for free, it’s worth it.”

After a pause, Anson exhaled softly.

“Maybe the only regret is losing a friend.”

“But it’s too early to make any judgments. We should wait and see.”

Edgar couldn’t help but take another look at Anson.

He thought, maybe everything isn’t contradictory or out of place. It’s not about being mature or naive, not about being experienced or ignorant, but about clarity.

Those small bits of wisdom often reveal the ugliness of human nature.

But true wisdom sees the complexity of humanity.

With this in mind, Edgar silently prayed that Hayden had a perfect explanation, proving that they, the old hands tainted by Hollywood’s corruption, were wrong.

“So, you really don’t need me to find out where Hayden might show up?”

“No need. Since he left quietly and changed all his contact information, it means he doesn’t want to be found right now.”

“So, no need to avoid him either?”

“Haha, if anyone should be avoiding someone, trust me, it won’t be me.”

“Phew,” Edgar let out a long breath. “That reassures me a bit. If today’s important scene gets disrupted by all these strange issues, I might go crazy.”

“Like the Hulk?”

“…Anson.”

“Haha, please don’t refer to my friends as strange issues. They’re just as important as my work.”

Their conversation was full of teasing and jokes, but inadvertently, Anson would throw out a line that gently steered the topic back:

Not harshly, but firmly stating his position.

See, it’s moments like this, these little details, that always left Edgar slightly dazed, but again and again, they confirmed his suspicions.

Edgar’s heart tightened as he caught the key point, realizing the significance of the matter. He quickly glanced at Anson and stopped joking.

“Uh-hum.” Edgar cleared his throat. “Sorry.”

The car returned to silence.

Outside the window, palm trees swiftly retreated, and California's golden sunlight filled the view as the hustle and bustle of Los Angeles quickly faded into the background.

They were on their way to the “Catch Me If You Can” set—

Not in Burbank, but in the Hollywood Hills, northeast of the city.

In fact, Steven wasn’t exactly an old-school director who insisted on filming on location; if a soundstage was needed, he had no problem with it. But like directors born in the ’60s, he still believed in the authenticity of shooting on location. The sunlight, the breeze, the humidity—actors and directors could feel these elements, even if they didn’t show on camera.

So, if possible, Steven preferred shooting on location.

This afternoon, they were filming a very important scene—

Frank Jr.'s first showdown with FBI agent Carl.

In other words, this was Anson's first scene with Tom Hanks.

Coming from New York to Los Angeles, the first scene was such a big, challenging one, so Edgar had personally come along to escort Anson to the set.

Moreover, Edgar was busy dealing with that negative report from Entertainment Weekly. It was the perfect time to build a good relationship with the crew, and when he heard that Anson had promised afternoon tea treats on the New York set, he immediately followed up with the plan.

This was also why Edgar needed to be on set—

Good deeds shouldn’t go unnoticed, after all.

While there was no need for excessive publicity, it was important to leave a mark. Edgar needed the rumors circulating from the “Catch Me If You Can” set to be positive and natural, without any trace of forced commercial flattery.

Edgar planned to take care of everything, ensuring Anson could fully focus on his work and that filming would go smoothly.

Because this was a scene with Tom Hanks, and because it was an original scene in the movie script.

The film wasn’t entirely based on the biography and real events.

In the true story, Frank Jr. did indeed have several encounters with the FBI agent who was pursuing him, but they weren't as dramatic or intense, and the bond between Frank Jr. and the FBI agent wasn't as deep.

Artistic creation draws from life and elevates it.

Thus, the script was reworked based on the events in Frank Abagnale Jr.'s autobiography, eventually evolving into the first showdown between Frank Jr. and FBI agent Carl.

In real life, Frank Jr. was arrested twice but managed to escape from custody both times, only to be finally captured in Montpellier, France.

Frank Jr.'s first arrest was particularly legendary.

At that time, Frank Jr. was hiding in New York.

One day, two plainclothes detectives were eating hot dogs in a fast-food joint when they happened to spot someone outside who closely resembled the Frank Jr. they had been tracking for days, but they weren't certain.

So, one of the detectives cleverly called out, “Hey, Frank.”

No one expected that Frank Abagnale Jr., who had fooled so many, would fall for such a traditional, old-fashioned trick. He actually turned around, allowing the detectives to confirm his identity and successfully arrest him.

The script didn't recreate this scene exactly but used it as inspiration for a new, reimagined version.

Next up, Anson is about to face off against Tom Hanks.