**Chapter 66: Topic of Focus**

Things were a bit different from what Nicholas had imagined.

From Anson's quick thinking to Jennifer's graciousness, their candid and natural responses subtly broke the mold, firmly putting the power of explanation in their hands.

Maybe it was all just an act to cover up the truth; maybe it was the truth, and the rumors were entirely baseless.

But now, none of that mattered.

From Nicholas's experience, this matter could temporarily come to an end here. Anson's flawless responses repeatedly defied expectations, quietly shifting the situation and setting the tone. Jennifer's cooperative performance completed the puzzle.

The group chat ended there.

Of course, they could continue to speculate and fan the flames, but the tone had been set. If the scandal never existed in the first place, then Brad's actions would be without a trace, and any further digging would merely reveal the media's self-created hype.

At that point, though the buzz might continue, the main character could change—

The general public might believe it was all media manipulation, creating a topic for the sake of generating buzz, using Brad and Jennifer in the process.

No one would believe the scandal; no one would believe Brad was the bad guy. Instead, all the blame would turn towards the media.

So, there was no need to go further.

At least, that's what Nicholas thought.

Regardless, "The New York Times" still had its stance and persistence. The entertainment section couldn't be abandoned; news that should be followed up on should still be reported. But they wouldn't, and didn't need to, engage in hype, fabrication, fiction, or provocation for the sake of profits. That was their bottom line.

For Nicholas, this was where the matter ended.

He had a feeling that the young man before him, still somewhat boyish but already showing signs of a man's charm, might end up being the biggest winner.

It didn't take long for Nicholas's thoughts to be confirmed—

In front of Studio 24, Jennifer and Anson chatted happily. The two main characters in the scandal stood before reporters and cleared up the misunderstandings.

Afterward, David Schwimmer, Courteney Cox, and other "Friends" cast members arrived on set, responding to the rumors with jokes.

Clearly, the scandal was just a joke.

Anson and Jennifer's interaction was limited to their scenes. Outside of work, they never spent any time alone together. Anson's closest friend on set was Matt LeBlanc.

Even so, Anson and Matt hadn't exchanged phone numbers. As the crew members put it:

"He's a bit shy."

Nicholas: Ha.

Then, filming for the 23rd episode of the sixth season of "Friends" proceeded smoothly, with laughter and joy filling the set, creating an especially relaxed atmosphere.

From his debut in the 21st episode to his appearance under pressure in the 23rd episode, Anson's performance had not disappointed.

Whether as a charming gentleman, a deeply affectionate person, or someone with a tough exterior and a soft heart, Paul's character, uniquely shaped by Anson, gradually revealed his charm to the audience. Without a doubt, this was the most memorable guest role on "Friends" in the past two or three years.

On set, applause and laughter echoed continuously.

The real climax and highlight of the day came in the afternoon when Brad Pitt showed up at the studio with donuts and coffee, causing quite a stir.

In Nicholas's view, this was probably the idea of Brad's public relations team—it was all a performance.

If Brad had responded to the rumors for the second time, or if he had invited Anson to their wedding, such actions would have been over the top, too friendly, too eager to dispel the rumors, proving himself too much, which could arouse suspicion.

But if Brad had done nothing and allowed the rumors to ferment, it would have meant losing his voice, completely handing over the initiative to Anson, which could have put him in a passive position.

In other words, Brad couldn't do nothing, but he couldn't make a big move either.

Visiting the set.

That was the answer.

The purpose of this action was to visit his fiancée at her workplace, not only showcasing his loving husband image but also naturally getting to know Anson in front of everyone, subtly showing his friendliness to clear up misunderstandings and mitigate the negative rumors.

Of course, in the eyes of the media, this was all a performance—a carefully orchestrated one. But for the general public, it was indeed a brilliant statement.

As expected.

The two-time "Sexiest Man Alive" of 1995 and 2000 effortlessly charmed the audience with his charisma, earning applause.

From Anson to Jennifer to Brad, the three protagonists of this triangle relationship completed a relay performance, putting an end to all the rumors.

In the end, everyone was happy—

Brad didn't scheme behind the scenes.

Jennifer and Anson weren't involved in a scandal.

Anson would continue his guest appearance.

Everything was great, and throughout the entire process, no one was hurt.

But was that really the case?

Was Brad truly fine? Was Jennifer truly fine? What about David Crane, who stayed invisible throughout the ordeal? And Anson, was his life still the same?

No one knew what went on behind the scenes; but in front of the cameras, the excitement was apparent to everyone.

"Anson Wood."

After the "Los Angeles Times," his name appeared in various newspapers and magazines, dominating headlines and capturing the public's attention in a spectacular fashion.

He wasn't just mentioned as the keyword in the Brad and Jennifer scandal; he also won applause for his wit, humor, and charming presence.

Marta, the head writer of "Friends," mentioned in an interview with "The Hollywood Reporter" that the initial plan was different.

The character Paul, played by Anson, was originally intended for just one episode, introduced to change the tone and rhythm of the show. However, Anson's performance and his chemistry with the other actors were so delightful that the character seemed to take on a life of its own, developing its own storyline, which led to further appearances.

Both on and off-screen, Marta couldn't praise Anson enough, even expressing at the end of the interview that she hoped Anson could return in the future if plans allowed.

There was gossip, professionalism, and plenty of buzz.

Everything one could ask for.

For a while, Anson's name was everywhere.

Whether or not people cared about "Friends" or Brad and Jennifer's wedding of the century, it became a topic of conversation over meals.

Curiosity naturally arose.

Who was this young man who appeared in just one episode of a sitcom? Was it really that big of a deal?

Ironically, that was precisely why—because it was so unbelievable, so bizarre—that it elevated the discussion and attention to another level.

Had it been a familiar face, it probably wouldn't have had the same impact.

And this was only the beginning.

As people grew curious and started asking, "So, what's the deal with this Anson?" or "What's so special about this guy?" those in the know would bring up the 21st episode of "Friends" again, passionately singing its praises, and emphasizing how highly it was rated and how much acclaim it received.

A tropical storm was brewing, little by little, from Monday to Wednesday, gathering strength.

Then.

Thursday arrived, and it was time for the next episode of "Friends" to air.