Actor in Hollywood

Tap. Tap. Tap.

From the corner of his eye, Anson could see Edgar's index finger lightly tapping on his knee. Despite his calm demeanor and steady expression, revealing no signs of nervousness or unease, this small gesture gave away the truth. A tense atmosphere quietly filled the small car, growing more palpable as they neared the Louvre.

A smile played at the corners of Anson's eyes. "There's really no need to worry so much. Today's Chanel fashion show is filled with heavyweights. I'm just a small fish, a guest appearance—no one's going to pay that much attention to me."

Seeing Anson's ease, Eddie couldn't help but glance at Edgar: *Are you sure you don't want to tell Anson about yesterday's media frenzy?*

Edgar returned the look: *You think Anson doesn't know?*

Given Anson's sharpness, he probably did. He had likely already sensed something was up. But the thing was, in the age of print media, information gathering wasn't as efficient. Even Edgar couldn't accurately gauge the level of hype or what kind of situation they might face today, let alone Anson.

Maybe Anson was right—

Yes, there was attention, but this was the Chanel fashion show. The place was teeming with top-tier figures. Even if people were interested in Anson, it shouldn't be too overwhelming. After all, numerous high-profile guests would also be attending the show.

Anson noticed the exchange of glances. "Even if we regret it now, it's too late to turn back. So, let's just face this storm head-on."

Edgar let out a wry smile—

No kidding, a storm indeed.

Anson had the audacity to alter a design by Karl Lagerfeld, of all people!

That's Karl Lagerfeld! The emperor who ruled the fashion world for forty years! The man whose word could change someone's fate!

Forget the fashion industry, his powerful connections spanned across various entertainment sectors. He might not be able to dominate the film industry, but making life difficult for a rising actor? That would be a walk in the park for him.

And yet! Despite all this!

Anson went ahead and modified Karl's design. And this, after Karl had personally invited him to the fashion show and graciously sent a custom suit! Anson had the nerve to tweak the design?

What, did Anson think he was some kind of genius designer better than Karl Lagerfeld?

Why not just reach for the stars?

So, how on earth did things escalate to this point?

Edgar began to question his life choices.

According to Anson, from the very beginning, he was an outsider, an intruder, a disruptor—even to Karl and Anna.

Were they genuinely fascinated by Anson because he was some chosen one blessed with endless favor?

No, of course not.

It was curiosity, a desire for something new, something different to explore.

If Anson lost this momentum and played it safe, sure, he could avoid offending Karl, but it would also mean he'd become just another face in the crowd. The novelty would quickly wear off, and Karl and Anna could easily turn to the next replacement.

People often say Hollywood is fickle, but the fashion world is even more relentless, constantly churning through fresh faces without a moment's pause.

"That's how it is for me, how it is for Eddie, and honestly, how it's been for Karl and Anna as well. They've survived wave after wave of brutal competition. Playing it safe has never been an option."

It was those final words that rekindled Eddie's inspiration for Anson, leading him to extend a helping hand and refine the design according to Anson's vision—

Boldly and crazily altering Karl's design.

All or nothing.

The dice had been cast, and there was no turning back.

But looking back, he couldn't help feeling a shiver of fear.

---

Edgar's heart was pounding, his nerves and anxiety burning in the pit of his stomach. But eventually, he found his composure and calmed down.

Anson was right—auditioning for *Spider-Man* was a gamble, and so was *Catch Me If You Can*. Now, it seemed that the breakthrough they'd made in the fashion world was an unexpected bonus. Maybe they should keep being bold—

Fear is an excuse for the mediocre.

Taking a deep breath, Edgar regained his courage. "Dancing with the storm, that's what we do best. It always has been, right?"

As he spoke, the vehicle slowed to a stop, and in the distance, the famous glass pyramid of the Louvre came into view. At the same time, there was a throng of people, crowded layer upon layer, filling the square.

The car door opened.

Anson looked at Eddie and made an inviting gesture.

But Eddie shook his head, saying nothing, avoiding Anson's gaze, and using body language to make a motion.

Anson remembered the scene on the runway two days ago and immediately understood. He didn't exchange any pleasantries, "Let me clear the way for you."

He stood up and exited the car.

The cold air hit him immediately, a sharp reminder of Paris in autumn. Just as he was reflecting on the crispness, a silver curtain of flashing lights suddenly exploded in his face like a wave crashing down—

Buzz.

He didn't even have time to register the sound of the shutters clicking before his ears were overwhelmed by the deafening noise in his head. Both his vision and hearing seemed to shut down at once.

The barrage of flashing lights and camera clicks left Anson utterly bewildered:

What… what's going on?

The entire scene was silent, except for the relentless clicks of cameras and the blinding flash of lights, with countless eyes all fixed on Anson.

A pearl-white shirt, jet-black trousers, and slightly chunky, rounded-toe shoes—his outfit was simple, nothing out of the ordinary. Yet, the clean lines and sharp tailoring showcased the noble, preppy style Karl had infused into Chanel, perfectly highlighting a sense of aristocratic elegance.

Elegant and noble.

If that were all, it would have been classic Chanel—impressive, timeless, but lacking a touch of daring—

Conservative. Basic.

Something like that.

Perhaps people would still marvel at Anson's good looks; after all, fashion often relies on one's appearance and physique. But the buzz wouldn't last long.

The key was, there was more to it.

The jacket.

Anson's jacket was very special.

It was a classic black-and-white checkered Chanel jacket—of all things!

A Chanel tweed jacket, undoubtedly a legendary design, but one that, if not handled carefully, could easily veer into "grandma" territory; it's also typically considered women's clothing.

In fact, in 2022 and 2023, this classic jacket design made a huge impact in men's fashion, showcasing the unique charm of men with a tougher, younger, and more streamlined approach. It became an iconic statement.

But in 2001, this was a shocking, groundbreaking move.

The jacket's hem was shortened, just enough to reveal the waist, exposing the shirt, waistband, and belt, highlighting a narrow waist. The sharp, broad shoulder lines further accentuated a strong, wide-shouldered look, creating an immediate visual impact. The tie was boldly omitted, with the shirt collar neatly buttoned up to the top.

Rough yet gentle, simple yet elegant, vintage yet stylish.

Even more remarkable was the absence of an overly long hem, which contrasted sharply with the Armani-led trend of suit jackets that covered the hip line. On Karl Lagerfeld's foundation, this further emphasized a youthful, athletic vibe, making the whole ensemble appear more lightweight.

A sense of relaxed ease, mixed with youthful energy, radiated from the outfit.

And then, the crowd went wild—completely and utterly wild.