On an ordinary weekday morning, a large crowd of entertainment reporters gathered at Paradise Bay Beach in Malibu. They had previously received news about the widely discussed affair between Matthew Horner and Britney Spears, and the parties involved were expected to make a public clarification.
In reality, there was no need for a personal clarification; few of the reporters truly believed that Matthew Horner, the country boy, was involved with Britney Spears. However, none would report the truth as it wouldn't attract public interest.
"They clarify it, and our hype loses its value," one reporter said while lining up to enter the restaurant, overhearing two others discussing behind him.
Another reporter added, "This is the City of Angels, the home of Hollywood, where celebrities and high-profile figures abound. Are we ever short of scandals to report? Even if we don't fabricate, won't others? Not many celebrities would spend their precious time suing us lowly reporters. We issue an apology in the paper if they send a lawyer's letter. An apology costs nothing, and it doesn't hurt us. What's there to fear!"
Elena Polya looked back at the reporter who seemed to perfectly understand the essence of the entertainment gossip industry.
Inside the restaurant, guided by the staff, she and other reporters took their seats. Arriving early, she found a spot at the front and began setting up her equipment, preparing for the interview ahead.
Elena was particularly curious about Matthew Horner, one of the main figures involved in this scandal. She had met him before and found him to be quite an interesting character.
Though she crafted the scandal to draw attention and earn fees, it needed a plausible event. Without the photo of Matthew holding Britney—looking utterly trusting—the story would be laughable.
"This guy is quite skilled," thought Elena, who had heard that Britney was notoriously difficult, akin to a porcupine, "yet he seems to get along so well with Britney."
In the restaurant's temporary makeup room, Helen Herman was giving her final instructions.
"I'll stand behind you," she told Matthew. "If you encounter a difficult question or are unsure how to respond, don't speak immediately. I'll advise you."
Matthew nodded. He had no experience dealing with the press.
Helen pulled up a chair and sat next to him, saying, "This is what PR is supposed to do."
Matthew spread his hands helplessly. "I don't have a PR manager."
With his current status and wealth, hiring a PR manager would be absurd.
"Just perform well," Helen continued, not minding the small talk. "You never know how long before your next news appearance!"
Matthew was aware that this press conference was a hard-won opportunity by Helen, aiming to exploit Britney's desire to clarify the rumors and enhance his own visibility and the fame borrowed from Britney.
Speaking of fame, Matthew remembered something else and asked, "Didn't you say you would leverage this fame to get me a new job?"
"Yes," Helen nodded but didn't elaborate.
Matthew pressed on. "How's that going?"
"I've secured an audition for you," Helen said reluctantly, like squeezing toothpaste. "It'll be a while."
"Can I know what the job is?" Matthew persisted.
"It's a World War II soldier, but we'll discuss more after you've shot this music video. Don't get distracted!"
She spoke so definitively that Matthew stopped asking, though he wondered what World War II projects were upcoming.
A staff member then came to inform them that it was time. Matthew and Helen left the makeup room and entered the dining area, where Britney's party soon arrived, and they all proceeded to the main hall together.
The hall was packed with reporters. Matthew felt nervous as he sat down.
"Relax," Helen whispered from behind him. "They're all just rumor-mongers. What's there to fear?"
Matthew took her words to heart and relaxed considerably. When Britney looked over, he even flashed her a smile.
This was not a formal press conference but a simple rumor clarification session. The host spoke briefly before handing the microphone to Matthew.
After all, he was the male protagonist of the event.
Matthew had memorized his lines, and his speech flowed naturally, "During the shooting of the music video, Britney was injured. To get her to the hospital quickly, I carried her into the car... I and Britney are work partners with excellent cooperation, but we are not dating, nor are we a couple..."
The script was meant to clarify this non-existent scandal.
Flashes from cameras lit up continuously throughout, ensuring Matthew's continued visibility for a while.
Unfortunately, this wasn't the era of social media, where actors could rely more on direct audience engagement. Actors had to speak through their works.
After Matthew finished, the microphone was handed to Britney.
"I am currently single and not dating anyone."
Britney's statement, likely crafted by professional PR, seemed subdued, "The
rumors were a misunderstanding... I also thank the fans and media friends for their concern."
A brief Q&A session followed, with Britney's agency and record company having pre-empted most reporters, combined with the clarifications from both parties, essentially nullifying the fabricated scandal. Most questions focused on the music video rather than any gossip.
However, some did not follow the script. Elena Polya was such a reporter, seeking to capture sensational news regardless of the organizers' plans.
Finally, the microphone reached her, and she stood to ask, "Britney, are you and Matthew Horner close?"
Matthew, having noticed the tall Elena stand, felt uneasy, suspecting no good would come from her question.
"Yes."
There was no need to deny it; Britney nodded, "We are friends."
Her manager felt like banging his head against a wall. What was this straightforward girl thinking?
Normally, each reporter was allowed only one question, but Elena, undeterred and unchallenged, continued, "You are friends now, might you date in the future?"
Britney's manager hurriedly advised, "Don't answer."
Britney, often acting and speaking impulsively, seemed to ignore her manager. After glancing at Matthew, she said, "Who knows about such things."
To Britney, the situation was simple. Currently, there was no romantic interest between her and Matthew, but from their first meeting to their chats in the hospital, he had left a profoundly positive impression on her. She felt it completely reasonable to call him a friend, and the future was open.
Thus, she gave such an answer.
"Mr. Matthew Horner," Elena, noticing a staff member approaching, quickly asked, looking at Matthew, "Will you date Britney in the future?"
Helen had prepared for a similar question from Elena. As soon as it was asked, she whispered to Matthew, "Say you're good friends."
Matthew, simple in demeanor but not in mind, knew his limitations and stuck to Helen's advice, "Britney and I are good friends."
As he spoke, he looked towards Britney, who seemed very pleased with his response, giving him a sweet smile.
This moment was instantly captured by the cameras.
Britney didn't care; Matthew's words mirrored her thoughts perfectly. She believed they were truly good friends who got along exceptionally well.
By the time Elena was approached by the staff, having captured a sellable moment, she stopped asking further questions and handed back the microphone.
Matthew suddenly realized his prior thoughts about Elena were mistaken. She was not a conscientious journalist with integrity but was even more shameless and thick-skinned than all the entertainment reporters present.
As he thought this, he noticed Elena looking over and subtly winking at him, as if to greet him in her own way.
Matthew ignored her, and the press conference concluded. He followed Helen back to the temporary makeup room, preparing for the upcoming shoot.
"Did that female reporter know you?" Helen, having seen Elena wink, remembered Matthew mentioning a journalist friend, "Is she the entertainment reporter friend you talked about?"
"Well..." Matthew scratched his head, unsure how to explain, "Not exactly a close friend."
Helen stared at him, pressing, "Was her question planned with you? That kind of questioning, combined with Britney's inappropriate response, undoubtedly gives the press another point to hype, which Britney's side surely didn't want, but it's beneficial for you."
"No!" Matthew quickly denied, "No! I had no idea she would be here today."
"What really happened?" Helen felt something was amiss, seriously stating, "A reminder, Matthew Horner! I am your agent. We need to trust each other!"