**Chapter 156: Ambush from All Sides**

Perhaps Harry Smith wasn't particularly sharp when it came to selecting projects, but no one could deny his outstanding abilities in other areas.

In a flash, thoughts raced through Harry's mind.

He was 100% sure that he had reviewed the list of thirty-six candidate actors. If Anson's name had been on it, he wouldn't have overlooked it.

His mind seized on a thought, though it wasn't clear or backed by evidence, just a gut feeling. Nonetheless, Harry turned to look at Edgar.

"Was it you?"

Harry's voice rose at the end, filled with doubt, suspicion, intimidation, threat, and pressure, all mixed into a short sentence that sent ripples through the room.

Edgar wasn't surprised that his little trick might be uncovered. After all, everyone present was a seasoned veteran. They had all used these underhanded tactics before and were even more experienced than Edgar. A bit of calm reflection would reveal the truth.

What surprised him was how quickly Harry caught on.

Harry's words disrupted Edgar's composure.

Before Edgar could respond, Harry had already turned to look at the others in the meeting room.

"This is Anson Wood, Darren Star's nephew. Not long ago, Darren came to me, hoping I would sign him. I met with him once."

"I am absolutely sure that Anson's name was not on the list of candidates we submitted..."

Buzz.

The air hummed slightly.

No one spoke, nor was anyone particularly shocked. Tactics like this were just par for the course in the world of fame and fortune. But all eyes turned to Edgar—

Curious, scrutinizing, cautious, mocking, admiring.

Like a superior looking down at a street performer, these sharp and scorching gazes surrounded Edgar, causing his skin to tingle slightly.

At this moment, however, Edgar steadied himself and calmed down.

Perhaps Harry had already guessed the truth, or perhaps he hadn't yet; it no longer mattered. The real issue wasn't here.

So.

"It was me."

Edgar interrupted Harry's words.

Harry: ...

Clearly, Harry hadn't expected Edgar to cut him off, nor had he expected Edgar to address the entire room without acknowledging him.

This was uncommon at William Morris.

Harry furrowed his brows, ready to speak again and regain control of the situation, but this time, Edgar beat him to it.

"I was the one who secretly slipped Anson's resume into the manila envelope and sent it to Sony Columbia."

The truth?

Edgar didn't mind revealing it himself.

No retreat, no tension, no fear. Edgar stood tall and confident, meeting all the scrutinizing gazes with composure.

"I believe in Anson's potential. I believe it was a mistake for Harry not to sign Anson. I believe we should seize this opportunity with all our might."

— "Spider-Man," that's what really mattered.

While Harry was still caught up in the so-called "truth," Edgar had already cut to the chase. No one cared how Anson's resume ended up in the manila envelope; what they needed to focus on was whether William Morris could defeat the competition and seize this opportunity.

If Anson fails, they can settle the score later.

But what if Anson succeeds?

So what if there are traps all around? Edgar, relying on his courage and resolve, has fought his way through and secured an opportunity for himself.

All eyes were now focused on Edgar.

Harry had words stuck in his throat, unable to swallow or spit them out. The entire situation had unfolded too suddenly, too unexpectedly, all within a mere thirty seconds.

Harry said, "You know this goes against the rules. You know you don't have the authority to be involved in these decisions..."

In fact, Harry wasn't alone in this.

Every agent present had experienced Edgar's predicament. They had clawed their way up to their current positions, not to have someone else trample over them.

One voice said, "That list was the result of our careful consideration."

A second voice added, "I don't think we should randomly pick an actor we're unfamiliar with."

A third voice chimed in, "There are rules here, and if you don't like them, the door is right there. You know how to leave."

In an instant, Edgar became the target of everyone's criticism.

But this didn't surprise Edgar.

He wasn't going to sit back and take it.

Edgar met those challenging, critical, and sharp gazes with unwavering resolve and dropped a bombshell: "Sony Columbia doesn't like your plan."

The words were like a slap.

The room fell silent.

Edgar didn't falter. Instead, he seized this rare moment of silence, stepping forward slightly, exposing himself fully to everyone's view, making sure they could clearly see his expression and eyes.

"Here's the thing: you can reject my idea, you can turn down Ian Bryce's call, and I can walk out right now."

"Trust me, I know where the company door is."

A smile.

"But likewise, our competitors also know where our company's door is. If Ian Bryce can't get Anson from us, what do you think he'll do next?"

"Sure, William Morris is a big company with endless resources; but you've already put forth thirty-six candidates from your pool of resources. As you said, carefully considered and meticulously selected. Do you think a second list would be any better?"

"So, when Ian Bryce sees the second list—which still doesn't include Anson—and then, by chance, remembers Anson, what do you think will happen next?"

"My guess is that Ian Bryce will likely find a way to contact Anson, but I doubt William Morris will be the one to make the connection."

Taking the initiative.

The smile remained, but Edgar's eyes were exceptionally bright, showcasing his confidence.

In the silence, Brian finally spoke, "All of this hinges on Anson being special. Do you really believe he can land the role? Can you guarantee that Anson will be the one to stand out?"

Was he affirming or questioning?

Was Brian waiting for Edgar to make a solemn pledge?

Edgar wasn't that foolish. "No."

He gave a definitive answer.

"I have one hundred percent faith in Anson, but that's one thing. The outcome of the audition is another matter entirely, and I can't make any guarantees."

"Right now, all I know is that Ian Bryce needs Anson, and Anson is currently William Morris' only hope."

Confident, but not arrogant.

Passionate, but not reckless.

Even in the midst of chaos, Edgar kept a clear head, maintaining control of the situation.

Brian looked at Edgar, and Edgar met his gaze head-on, his eyes clear and bright. Time seemed to freeze momentarily.

A second? Or ten?

Brian nodded slightly. "Take Anson and head to New York immediately."

Boom!

An uproar followed.

"Brian?"

"This is a wrong decision."

"It shouldn't be this way."

But Brian paid no attention, raising his right hand to quiet everyone down. "This is the final decision. We have no reason not to give Ian Bryce the person he wants. It's settled. Meeting adjourned."

With that, Brian didn't linger any longer, turning and leaving the meeting room, decisively bringing the matter to a close.