Observing Renly before her, calm and collected, Daisy furrowed her brows slightly, revealing a thoughtful expression. She had become increasingly intrigued by Renly, even more so than during their first interview.
Mature, experienced, wise, composed, elegant, restrained... It was hard to imagine these adjectives being used to describe a twenty-one-year-old young man. However, upon closer examination, it seemed perfectly fitting. His outstanding performances in "Buried" and "Like Crazy", the charisma he displayed in "Fast 5", and his unflappable demeanor during various negative news incidents all combined to create a profound and enigmatic character. He was like an epic novel, inviting readers to delve into his depths, yet leaving them unable to see the end.
Daisy felt a surge of excitement, like a mountaineer glimpsing Mount Everest. The thrill of pushing limits coursed through her veins. She couldn't wait to continue the interview, to unearth more stories. But a voice from behind interrupted her flow.
"Good morning, good morning. Is today's star ready? If so, let's discuss the shooting style for today and set the tone."
The voice, initially distant, grew closer, with a touch of hoarseness, clear and concise, like a vast, rugged plain that, upon closer inspection, revealed countless mysterious cliffs and jagged rocks, waiting to be explored.
Turning around, Daisy saw the owner of the voice. She wore a bright orange T-shirt, black shorts, white skate shoes, and black socks with printed patterns. A pair of sunglasses rested on her nose, and her short hair hung casually. She exuded an air of nonchalance and decadence. There were no excessive accessories on her body, only black-painted nails. Her style was simple yet perfectly harmonized with her personality.
Daisy let out a soft sigh, feeling a bit disappointed but not hesitating. The day's shoot had just begun, and she had seven to eight hours at least to conduct the interview. She had plenty of time to engage in this cerebral game.
Standing up, Daisy initiated a greeting. "Edith, you're late. Everyone else is already in position."
The newcomer was none other than Edith Hall, the hottest photographer in the industry over the past year. Her work received critical acclaim, and magazine sales soared. Many A-list celebrities even specifically requested Edith for their shoots. Gradually, Edith had gained recognition in the industry, and it wouldn't be long before it shifted from celebrities requesting Edith to Edith selecting models and shooting subjects that piqued her interest.
This time, Daisy had invited Edith to do a special feature on Renly. She had expected to use persuasive words and maybe even mention "The Pacific" as a connection. To her surprise, Edith readily agreed, making it an excellent opportunity.
Facing Daisy's teasing, Edith turned around, arched her back, and cheekily asked, "Is it punishment time now?" Such a simple yet bold action left Daisy momentarily stunned, unsure of how to respond. Edith turned back, gazing at the flustered Daisy, and burst into laughter. She lightly pinched Daisy's cheek. "You missed it; there's no turning back now."
After playfully teasing Daisy, Edith walked directly to Renly. Before she could say anything, she noticed Renly's gaze fixed on the unlit cigarette between her fingertips. Edith rolled her eyes, said nothing, and placed the cigarette behind her ear.
As Renly's older sister, Edith knew about his peculiar aversion to cigarettes. When they usually prepared to smoke, they would avoid him, referring to her and Arthur. However, the last time a situation like this had occurred was two years ago, and those memories had become distant. Edith couldn't help but roll her eyes, seeming to disdain the trouble Renly caused.
The exchange of glances between these siblings was a fleeting moment of subtle communication. It was so discreet that no one could perceive it, let alone deduce their connection. If Daisy knew about their relationship, she might be thrilled to the point of her brain overloading.
"Congratulations. You did well this time," Edith straightforwardly offered her congratulations. Then, she glanced around to ensure that no one else was paying attention before adding a playful taunt, "However, it's a disaster for certain people. I heard they've all gone on a collective vacation to the Lake District."
There was no need to elaborate; Renly knew she was referring to Elizabeth and George.
"Fast 5" had achieved excellent box office results in the UK, and Universal Pictures' promotion had spread like wildfire, likely reaching the upper echelons of London's high society. George and Elizabeth had gone to great lengths to ignore Renly, pretending that nothing had ever happened between them, even going as far as pretending he didn't exist. But now, they could no longer maintain the facade, as the suspicion and mockery in the gazes of others would never disappear, no matter where they went. For them, it was a source of disgrace.
So, they had chosen to kickstart their "summer vacation" mode early, seeking refuge from London's rumors.
Instead of feeling guilty, Renly chuckled. "The Lake District? Are they out of their minds? They're walking straight into the lion's den. If that's the case, they might as well go hunting."
The Lake District in England, with its picturesque lakes and mountains, secluded tranquility, and charming scenery, had been referred to by the British as their own backyard. It used to be a holiday destination for nobility, and almost every family had a villa there. The Hall family was no exception.
Over fifty years ago, the government officially declared the Lake District a national park. As time passed, the area gradually underwent development, becoming a tourist destination not only for local families but also for foreign visitors who flocked to enjoy the leisurely life it offered. Today, true aristocrats rarely visited the Lake District, but for a fallen aristocratic family like the Halls, it remained a good vacation choice.
"Haha, they did plan to go hunting, but the Dunlop couple is currently busy in London and has no time to host guests." Dunlop referred to the Matthew family. There was a mischievous glint in Edith's eyes as she spoke, and a slight smile tugged at the corner of her lips. "Busy, that's just an excuse they put forth."
Renly raised an eyebrow in silence, then added, "Even if Arthur describes it in detail, it's still not the same as seeing it with your own eyes. Why don't you fly back to the Lake District and pay them a visit?"
Imagine the embarrassment and shame of the Hall couple, watching their delicate masks slowly crumble, perhaps even turning to anger. It was indeed an amusing sight. You could easily guess that Edith was probably tormenting Arthur, making him repeatedly describe every detail of their home life, and she seemed to be enjoying it immensely.
Edith tugged at the corner of her mouth and shrugged nonchalantly. "Maybe I'll fly back next week. You know, I'm the official United Nations cooperating photographer." Compared to Renly, Edith still had an "official" role to play outside, so even if she returned, it wouldn't cause much of a stir.
"If you don't mind a certain Baroness making a call to introduce eligible bachelors to Elizabeth," Renly replied nonchalantly. It was a sly move, and it made Edith widen her eyes in surprise.
Arranged marriages, such an ancient method of marriage, remained the most popular choice among nobility who valued tradition, lineage, and heritage. Just imagine Edith in a lace gown, with a tightly cinched waist, her short hair neat and ladylike, sipping afternoon tea with some young suitor. It would be such a comical sight, and Edith hated the idea.
"I think this movie turned out well," Edith changed the topic instead of getting angry, using her elbow to nudge Renly's shoulder. "Honestly, this time, I finally see your charm. In the future, you should do more commercial films, strike those poses, act charming, raise your eyebrows and give those flirty looks. That gaze, that expression, those lips – it's all so good, isn't it?"
Edith was deliberately provoking him. She knew Renly's ultimate goal was to become an actor. She just wanted to see him throw a tantrum.
Renly raised an eyebrow and, with a sly smile, asked, "Do you actually like commercial films? Or do you just enjoy watching people fail? Or perhaps... do you enjoy watching me fail?"
Edith rolled her eyes in silence, grumbling, "You're not fooling me." She knew exactly what he was doing. "By the way, what's going on between you and Chris? Is he secretly in love with you, and that's why he's being spiteful?"
Renly didn't immediately respond but instead gave Edith a thoughtful look. His piercing gaze made her feel uneasy, and she tugged at her shoulder, adjusting her clothes. "What's wrong?"
Renly shrugged. "Nothing, I'm just curious. When you chose to come to Hollywood back then, I should have guessed that you were doing it because you couldn't resist your gossip-loving soul. So, does Arthur have any plans to come to Hollywood? Not long ago, I ran into Andrew Hamilton in Hollywood."
"Renly!" Edith exclaimed, her agitation resembling a startled cat with every hair on her body standing on end. "Don't you dare compare me to that scoundrel Arthur!"
"I heard a few familiar names. Are you talking about..." a voice interjected, cutting off the confrontation between Renly and Edith. Both of them immediately changed their expressions and turned to see the figure of Eaton Dorman, who had switched careers to become a stylist.
Eaton's face lit up with surprise. Clearly, he hadn't expected to run into Edith here. He was about to express his amazement when the three of them unexpectedly crossed paths in a work setting, a rare and unusual occurrence.
"Shh!" Edith and Renly simultaneously hushed him, startling Eaton. He swallowed his words, staring at the two of them in bewilderment. He tried to ask, "What's going on..." but before he could finish his sentence, he was silenced once more.
Edith placed her fingers over her lips, miming the motion of zipping them shut, while Renly narrowed his eyes, his gaze piercingly sharp. Eaton felt like he had just received a devastating shock.