Chapter 59: To the Point"

Hedi, though not the ghostly figure from *Ju-On*, clearly had his own unique social philosophy, one that was starkly different from that of ordinary people.

Anson, however, didn't mind.

In fact, Anson found Hedi's approach refreshing in its own way—direct, simple, and devoid of pretense.

But for someone of Darren's stature, the whole interaction must have felt strange. After all, it's not often that he encounters someone so blunt and unorthodox.

Watching Darren's bemused expression, Anson burst out laughing.

It was only then that Hedi realized something might be slightly off and attempted to make amends, "If the magazine shoot wants Saint Laurent's sponsorship, they can try applying, and we'll evaluate it. So, which magazine is this interview for?"

Sincere and straightforward.

What an interesting guy.

Anson smiled, "I'm still waiting for the day a magazine calls me for an interview. When it finally happens, I'll be sure to give you a call."

Hedi seemed relieved.

Anson couldn't help but chuckle at the sudden silence that followed. As expected, you couldn't rely on normal social cues here. His previous comment was a self-deprecating joke about not even having any interview offers yet, but Hedi's lack of response made the joke fall flat, and the conversation once again hit a dead end.

It looked like he'd need to take the lead again. "Could I have one of your business cards, please?"

After all, if he didn't have Hedi's phone number, how could he reach out?

Hedi shook his head, "No, I didn't bring any business cards."

Anson: ...

Standing nearby, Darren almost burst out laughing. He had just taken a hit earlier, and now it was Anson's turn. That seemed fair, right?

Hedi continued, "Because the numbers on those cards are all bogus—office numbers, agents' numbers, secretaries' numbers—but none of them are mine. My private number, Darren has it."

Anson tilted his chin slightly, "Alright, I'll ask Darren to send it to me."

Hedi shook his head again, "No, I don't answer calls from unknown numbers."

By now, Anson was getting used to it. He was sure Hedi had more to say.

Sure enough—

"You should give me your phone, I'll input my number, and then you can call me right away. I'll save it now."

Such a simple task, yet it somehow became a complicated process.

Well, it wasn't really Hedi's fault. Anson and Darren had been going about things the traditional way, but clearly, Hedi wasn't one for tradition.

Anson didn't say anything more and pulled out his phone. "I guess not many people have your private number."

Hedi, with a serious expression, replied, "Thirty-six."

Anson was taken aback by the answer. "Wow, I guess I'm really honored then."

Hedi input his number into Anson's phone, called himself, then pulled out his own phone to answer the call. "You should be. I don't like giving out my number on a first meeting, but I think you could inspire some design ideas. You have good taste."

The first part was amusing, but the latter was surprisingly sincere.

Anson took his phone back from Hedi, "Thanks. This is the first time I've ever been someone's inspiration. It's a unique experience. Maybe you could recommend some more styles and see if I can pull them off."

Oddly enough, the conversation flowed smoothly.

Darren had worried that Hedi's quirky personality might make it difficult to communicate with Anson, but it turned out his concerns were unfounded. Anson had effortlessly taken control of the situation.

Darren was increasingly confident that Anson would have no trouble dealing with reporters and paparazzi.

…

Monday. Yet another Monday.

Early in the morning, the entrance to Warner Bros. Studios was packed with people. To avoid disrupting the work of other crews at the studio, they had to open the gates and allow the media to gather near Stage 24, hoping to contain the chaos within a limited area.

However, it wasn't just the media that had gathered. Other crews working at the studio also cast curious glances, their gossiping eyes barely concealing their interest.

The reason?

Brad Pitt and Jennifer Aniston. Those two names alone were enough.

On Saturday, a scoop from *USA Today*, currently the fourth-highest-circulation newspaper in the United States, sparked a frenzy of public interest and heated discussions.

Founded in 1982, *USA Today* was an absolute newcomer in the fiercely competitive newspaper industry, with a history and status far below that of the major players. Yet in less than a decade, it had become one of the most popular newspapers in North America.

There were many reasons for this, but the most crucial was its positioning.

*USA Today* established a core principle early in the 1980s: to cater to the increasingly fast-paced lifestyle of modern people, focusing on speed.

Their editorial approach aimed to simplify the presentation of information and cater to readers' preferences for quickly absorbing news through pictures or headlines. They prioritized convenient information delivery, often described as "fast food news."

In the 1980s and 1990s, most newspapers loved to dive into details, satisfying readers' curiosity with comprehensive reports. But *USA Today* recognized the changing times and did the opposite, with short, well-crafted articles becoming their hallmark.

In a way, *USA Today* was like the short-form video of the newspaper world in the 1980s.

This strategy allowed *USA Today* to grow rapidly. Now, it ranked fourth in circulation across North America, behind *The New York Times*, *The Los Angeles Times*, and *The Wall Street Journal*. With daily sales consistently above three million copies, it was even eyeing the top three spots.

Its influence was undeniable.

Unlike the slightly more serious tone of the top three newspapers, *USA Today* thrived on a concept of "color." Just as they had used vibrant photos on their front pages in the early 1980s to grab attention, they excelled in entertainment and diversity, offering a unique flair in their reporting.

Entertainment news was a focal point they never missed.

This time, *USA Today* seized the opportunity—

"Wedding Drama: Brad Pitt and Jennifer Aniston Clash Over Third Party."

One headline was all it took to set off a shockwave, sweeping across North America.

In a brief news report, *USA Today* didn't embellish the details but provided a clear summary: Brad was unhappy with the chemistry between Jennifer and Anson, leading him to request the production team to terminate Anson's guest appearance agreement.

No details, just the gist, which left plenty of room for speculation.

Even without the internet in full swing, people's imaginations ran wild. Despite *USA Today* offering no further coverage and no leaks from other newspapers or magazines, rumors spread like wildfire.

Stories ranged from Anson and Jennifer already being inseparable, to Anson being planted into the production by Jennifer, to Brad and Jennifer's relationship being on the rocks, to their highly publicized wedding being nothing more than a commercial scam. There were even bizarre claims about Brad and Anson's relationship being a tumultuous love-hate affair.

All sorts of ridiculous rumors sprouted overnight like mushrooms after the rain. The more intense the public's interest in Brad and Jennifer, the more outrageous the gossip became. It was like a thunderclap, with all manner of wild speculations flourishing across North America, each one seemingly more credible than the last.

It was an unexpected turn of events that caught everyone off guard.

However, the developments that followed were even more surprising.