Chương 314: Unconventional
"Who is he?"
This was the only question running through Diana's mind.
The outfit—bold and audacious—had abandoned the typical choice of a formal shirt for the awards red carpet, and had also left behind the usual preference for a formal suit. Instead, it opted for a linen casual suit paired with a polo shirt, exuding a vacation-like vibe. Even on the more tolerant and eccentric red carpet of the Golden Globes, it was still a standout.
This attire was refined and elegant, with every detail meticulously chosen. From the handmade polo shirt to the light brown shoes, from the watch to the sunglasses, it all exuded the luxury and sophistication of high society, as if to say that even on holiday, even casually dressed, the inherent distinction still effortlessly stood out.
But what was even more important was the juxtaposition of youth and restraint, flamboyance and suppression, nonchalance and elegance, casualness and formality—all these contradictory styles somehow came together naturally on this man. His tall frame, upright posture, steady pace, and unique charisma in every move made it all seem inevitable.
Amid the somewhat crowded red carpet, many artists had stopped for interviews with journalists and television appearances. A few staff members bustled around behind the cameras, and the comings and goings of people highlighted the grandeur of the Golden Globes.
Yet in this chaos, the man's calm and elegant aura had a powerful, unshakable strength that effortlessly drew the eyes.
Diana wasn't new to the industry. On the contrary, she had been in the fashion world for nearly six years and had witnessed countless grand events. She knew all too well the fierce competition on the red carpet, where actresses, though outwardly poised, secretly used tricks to grab more attention in the next day's headlines.
So indeed, many artists were pulling out all the stops on the red carpet, radiating charm as if it were a runway. Sometimes, a few truly did stand out, dazzling those who watched.
But this man was different. He wasn't trying to flaunt anything. He walked forward unhurriedly, with a polite and subdued smile, seemingly reducing his presence as much as possible. He didn't seem to want to steal any attention. Diana couldn't even tell which designer had crafted his outfit.
If Diana had wanted to look away, she could have done so at any moment. But that special aura had left a deep impression on her. Even after averting her gaze, she couldn't help but turn back. The camera lenses, attention, and all her thoughts gravitated back toward him.
It made the surrounding actors, with all their flamboyance and preening, look like circus clowns in comparison.
"Master." The excited voice rang in Diana's ear again, not overwhelming, not fervent, but incredibly resolute. Diana couldn't think of a better word to describe the man. "Master." She couldn't help but repeat it under her breath.
"Who is he?"
Diana asked the question again. Since when had such a figure appeared in Hollywood? How had no one in the fashion world noticed?
She looked up just in time to see the man smile in a certain direction, giving a polite nod before stepping forward. Quickly, she squeezed her way toward that direction, fortunately only a few steps away.
Diana tapped a reporter on the shoulder and glanced at the press badge on his chest, which read "American Weekly." "Excuse me, who is he?"
Without turning, Gavin replied casually, "Renly Hall," while still snapping photos continuously, capturing the moment as completely and authentically as possible.
"Renly Hall." Diana repeated the name. Although the red carpet had barely begun, she was certain Renly would undoubtedly make the "Best Dressed" list tonight. It wouldn't be surprising if he even took the top spot.
Renly continued to walk toward the press area. Then came a faint shout—a voice not particularly loud and somewhat weak amidst the crowd, but persistent nonetheless, as they swung their arms in unison, calling out, "Master."
It reminded Renly of Philip Dunbar, though Philip was always calm and composed. The thought of Philip waving pompoms like a cheerleader brought a wry smile to his lips.
Hope Bates was shouting at the top of her lungs, watching Renly draw closer and closer. Renly looked up in their direction, his smile spreading like sunlight breaking through ice. The shouting ceased, as all the excitement, energy, and passion transformed into high-pitched squeals, "Aaaah!"
Tears welled up quickly, overwhelming and intense, catching Hope completely off guard. She had never imagined that one day she would scream and cry like a madwoman for a stranger, yet here she was, emotions overflowing as she looked at Renly in front of her.
This wasn't Renly's first red carpet, but today felt different. Not only were there cheers from fans nearby, but the journalists' attention seemed far greater than anticipated. The warmth of the intense lights and enthusiastic cheers poured in from all directions, seeping into every pore and filling his blood, lifting his mood.
Renly raised his right hand and waved toward the audience. He recognized that face: Hope Bates, along with William Taylor and Graham Hughes. Seeing familiar faces on the red carpet was always a delight.
But he hadn't expected that one wave would send the crowd into a frenzy of screaming, creating a chaotic scene.
What he had only seen in movies and TV shows was now happening to him. Renly suddenly realized how "pop idol-like" his gesture had been. The thought took root in his mind—ridiculous, but funny—and his smile widened even further.
Lowering his gaze, Renly looked at Gavin in front of him, as well as another familiar face, though he couldn't recall the name.
"Renly, how does it feel to receive your first Golden Globe nomination?" Gavin casually opened with a straightforward question.
"Grateful?" Renly's voice lifted slightly at the end, carrying a note of doubt along with a hint of teasing, which drew soft laughter from the gathered reporters. "Honestly, when we were filming 'Buried,' we never expected the film to receive so much attention. I think, more than being grateful for the Golden Globe nomination, we should be thankful the investors didn't lose money. Phew."
He let out a playful sigh of relief, prompting more smiles from the press.
"So why did you choose this low-budget indie film? If not for the Golden Globe nomination, many people might not have even heard of it." Cornell, standing nearby, jumped in with a follow-up question.
The subtext was clear: Renly had chosen "Buried" purely to chase awards, and his earlier joke was just polite pretense.
Renly remained unfazed. He raised an eyebrow and glanced at Cornell's press badge: "Entertainment Weekly." "Well, I guess that's why I didn't go into journalism at 'Entertainment Weekly' and chose to become an actor instead. We aspire to perform in great films and be great actors. As for you, I'm not sure… why are you here at the Golden Globes tonight?"
Cornell was momentarily taken aback, while the other reporters chuckled at Renly's sharp wit. But Cornell wasn't easily deterred.
"You look fantastic tonight. Who's the designer behind this outfit?" Diana quickly seized the opportunity to ask her question.
Renly turned to her with a warm smile, "George Wilkes," giving a name unfamiliar to her.
Cornell took a breath and, after Renly finished answering Diana, jumped in before Gavin could. "Back in Toronto..." Gavin exchanged a knowing glance with his friend, already guessing what was coming.
"You were rumored to be involved with Natalie Portman, but you denied it at the time. What was the real reason?"
As soon as the question landed, the reporters fell silent. Even those indifferent to Renly couldn't pass up the chance to get something juicy about Natalie Portman, who had been dodging the media ever since the controversy about her body double in 'Black Swan'. If they could get a breakthrough from Renly...
"Because it wasn't true," Renly replied simply, with a look that said, Well, duh—it was false. Of course, I denied it.
"But recent rumors suggest that Natalie was actually dating Benjamin at the time, and the so-called rumors about you were just a cover. You, however, strongly denied it..." Cornell pressed on, leaving a suggestive pause.
Renly chuckled, "If I recall correctly, I wasn't part of the 'Black Swan' cast. Seems like you're asking the wrong guy. Or did I act in it and just forget?"
The playful jab earned another round of soft laughter from the press. Cornell, however, didn't back down, continuing his line of questioning. "But the rumors were about you, and that's what I'm asking about. What's your response?"
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