Hollywood: The Greatest Showman

Chapter 84: Brazen Shamelessness

When Renly got back to the apartment, the sun was already slanting westward. Today, the sunlight in New York was particularly brilliant, with a bright red halo spreading across the sky and even the Hudson River dyed a faint golden color, grand and magnificent. Many people on the street stopped in their tracks, taking out their phones to capture this wonderful moment.

Pushing open the apartment door, dazzling light spilled into every corner of the hallway, so bright that it made it hard to keep my eyes open.

The floor was covered with balloons of various colors, and on the table were two large bags of uninflated balloons and an air pump; the sofa was piled with a heap of ribbons and colored lights, as if all the Christmas decorations had been brought out; on the right side of the door was a large box filled with disposable cups, plates, and the like.

The atmosphere of the party permeated every corner.

"Renly, are you there?" Chris's cheerful voice came from the room, "Renly! I'm... I'm looking for the right outfit! I'm hosting a costume party tonight, how about joining me?" Although Chris was in the room, his cheerful mood was evident, his loud voice conveying his joy, and the sunlight in the room seemed to dance along with his words. "Tell me, you must come! Get ready with your outfit now!"

As he spoke, Chris rushed out of the room, holding a hollow leather vest in his left hand and a set of police uniforms in his right hand. "What do you think? Should I go for the little devil look? Or the police uniform temptation?"

Chris was wearing loose shorts at the moment, bare-chested, with his golden hair casually tied into a ponytail. He held the outfits high in both hands, his eyes shimmering with excitement in the sunset, though there was no deliberate smile on his face.

"The little devil," Renly lifted his right hand, smiling.

Chris's eyes lit up, "That's what I thought too. So, what are you planning to dress up as tonight? You always have endless creative ideas. Last Halloween you weren't in New York, and the parties here were much less exciting without you."

"Why suddenly decide to throw a party?" Renly didn't answer the question, walking to the sofa in the middle of the living room and sitting down on the nearby single seat, asking in return.

Chris's expression paused, his gaze somewhat evasive. "Oh, nothing... Just felt like having a good time suddenly." His hands dropped awkwardly, trying to appear casual. "You know, I've been busy and stressed lately. It's been a while since I've enjoyed a party."

"Indeed, we need to relax." Renly chuckled lightly, which made Chris relax slightly, nodding repeatedly in agreement. However, Renly continued, "By the way, I have good news today, so it's a good idea to celebrate with a party. I've got a new project, and if all goes well, I'll start shooting next week."

Without any pause, Renly delivered the good news. Chris's facial expression almost twisted uncontrollably, a wave of anxiety rushing over him — Renly got a new project? What project? Is it a big production? Does it have anything to do with Paramount? What's going on?

But before Chris could gather his thoughts, Renly continued, "I heard from the union that you also got a new project?"

Caught off guard, Chris instinctively took a half-step back, "Uh, yeah, I did." Chris nodded subconsciously, giving an affirmative reply. He glanced up at Renly, but saw those bright eyes, deep and unfathomable, as if they could see through his innermost thoughts, which made him lower his eyelids in panic, wanting to turn and flee, but his feet remained firmly rooted in place.

"Congratulations!" Renly flashed a big smile, genuinely congratulating him.

Renly didn't know, he wouldn't know, and he couldn't possibly know. Chris tried to convince himself to calm down, to avoid revealing his hand. But it wasn't easy. "Thank you. Congratulations to you too. You've finally got confirmation on your next project, right? What is it? A movie?"

"An independent film," Renly said simply. "But I think it's a good opportunity for performance. You wouldn't be interested, would you? Or perhaps your agent doesn't want you to take on such projects?" Renly half-jokingly said, his light words drifting through the sunlight.

Although Renly's words were as ordinary as ever, Chris couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to them. The chase of a cat after a mouse, that sense of pursuit, made him uneasy. Should he stay and listen for news about Renly's new project, or should he retreat to his room to avoid the danger of exposure? Chris forced a smile, but it was more grimace than anything. He looked at the door to his room, then at the front door of the apartment, but his scattered gaze found no focus, and his mind couldn't find a clear path. He was simply agitated, incredibly so.

"...Chris?" Renly's voice came closer, suddenly exploding in his ears like thunder in spring. Chris reflexively looked up at Renly. "Huh?"

"I mean, what kind of project is it this time?" Renly calmly sat on the sofa, relaxed, "Last time you collaborated with Sean Bean, right? This time, are you working with another top actor?"

It was an utterly ordinary question, one that Chris would normally answer enthusiastically. But today, he felt as though Renly's eyes could see through all his disguises, piercing into the depths of his soul. It was a terrible feeling, as if he were being cornered step by step, trapped in a humiliating dilemma.

"...Thor," Chris tried to straighten his back, answering as confidently as he could, but his confidence faltered. "Thor." The word almost disappeared into his throat, truly stifled.

Chris clenched his fists, silently reminding himself: You got the role based on your talent, not by trickery. It was pure skill! Initially, Renly didn't give "Thor" enough attention, and now he must be jealous that Chris got the role. This would be the intersection of their careers, where Chris would continue to climb to the peak while Renly struggled in the small circle of independent films. So, now Renly regretted it, envied it, but it was too late.

Before Chris could gather his thoughts, Renly continued, "Oh? That's a rare opportunity." Renly's voice carried a shallow smile. "Funny thing is, I also received an audition invitation for 'Thor' not long ago. What a coincidence." Renly chuckled, "Hollywood is such a small circle, isn't it?"

He knew.

In Renly's eyes, Chris could see the condescending scrutiny, as if he were picking out street walkers. That disdain and contempt continually mocked his triumph. Chris was certain, Renly already knew the truth. He got the audition opportunity for "Thor" because he took Renly's script, and now Renly was sitting there like a judge, high and mighty, judging his actions from a moral high ground.

In an instant, the feeling of humiliation reached its peak, a surge of anger spreading uncontrollably.

Why, why did Renly assume such an air of superiority? Why did Chris have to bend over backwards in front of Renly? Why did Renly show such a disdainful attitude, as if he were above worldly affairs? Why did Chris have to humble himself? He was the one who should be ambitious and proud, right? This was Hollywood, where anything goes for success, where Renly made a choice, and so did he. So why did Renly now have to act like a victim?

Ridiculous, how ridiculous.

"Heh." Chris puffed out his chest, lifted his chin slightly, a mocking smile creeping onto his lips. Standing taller, he stared down at Renly as if he were on a pedestal, surveying him on the sofa. "Yeah, I got the role, you didn't. So, do you regret it now?"

Chris's reaction surprised Renly, his eyes slightly narrowed. He had never seen this side of Chris before.

"You know what's ironic? You threw aside the 'Thor' script, but it became my opportunity for the audition, and I seized the role in one fell swoop." Chris's eyes gleamed with madness, his handsome face contorting. "The opportunity you didn't cherish, made my success. Now, do you regret it? Are you envious? Jealous? It's laughable."

Renly didn't speak, as if seeing Chris for the first time, distant and unfamiliar, his calm expression tinged with a hint of scrutiny. Perhaps, they never truly knew each other.

Renly's unruffled gaze stung Chris, carrying with it a mix of pity and regret, a cold sympathy that felt like a heavy blow to his stomach, making him jump up like an injured lion, roaring in anger, "Don't give me that look! It was your own lack of appreciation! After I took the script, you didn't even notice, did you? It shows you didn't care at all! I was just using what you discarded! You're the failure here! Don't judge me like a saint, you're not a judge, and I'm not a criminal! I didn't do anything wrong, and I don't owe you anything, remember? It was your decision to give up, your own choice!"

Shameless, so shameless. Who knew a thief could be so brazen, who knew shamelessness could be so upright, who knew values could be so twisted and tangled?

Renly didn't get angry but smiled instead, adjusting his sitting position, sitting upright, leaning slightly forward, his gaze fixed on Chris. The two seemed to be kings meeting face to face, clashing head-on, as Renly spoke each word deliberately, "You can just ask me directly."