Chapter 453: Pressure Through the Roof

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Wednesday, May 1st.

Los Angeles was bathed in golden sunlight, a lazy yet brilliant glow that made the entire city bask in the comfortable ease of the spring-to-summer transition.

At a traffic light intersection, vehicles slowed to a halt as the light turned red. One by one, drivers rolled down their windows to enjoy the refreshing breeze. Among them, a long limousine also came to a stop.

However, all the vehicles were in the lanes for going straight or turning right, while the left-turn lane, leading to Hollywood Boulevard, was completely empty. Everyone knew that the road was closed due to a premiere today. This was a common sight, and no one wanted to bother with the hassle.

At that moment, seeing the long limousine sitting alone in the left-turn lane, it was easy to guess that it was headed for the premiere.

Naturally, curious eyes tried to catch a glimpse of who might be inside, wondering which actor or celebrity it might be.

"Phew…"

Inside the limousine, a sigh was heard.

After hanging up the phone and double-checking that everything had been arranged without any oversight, Eve let out a heavy breath, not realizing how loud it was until it startled her. She quickly looked up at Anson and Edgar.

The three of them exchanged glances, momentarily stunned.

Finally, Anson couldn't hold back and managed a controlled smile. "Relax, Eve, relax. You've been through countless big events."

Since she was caught, Eve didn't bother to hide her nerves. She let out another deep breath. "I know, I know… but…"

Clearly, this wasn't Eve's first time on the red carpet as a publicist. She'd handled events far bigger than a premiere, including the Oscars.

Moreover, dealing with crises was her job.

But today was different.

The past three weeks had been a whirlwind, sweeping across North America, creating an insane level of hype. The burden of reviving the entire film market felt overwhelming, as if everything was being fed into a shredder.

It wasn't just Anson; Eve and Edgar were also so busy they barely had time to breathe. They averaged just forty-five minutes of sleep a night, running on adrenaline and caffeine, pushing themselves to the limit. They barely recognized themselves anymore, lost in the chaos.

Their hearts were on the verge of bursting.

But it was only a fleeting moment. Eve quickly returned to her usual self.

"Everything will go smoothly."

"Everything will be fine. We've done all the work, and it couldn't be more perfect. This is it."

Eve looked up and met Anson's gaze—

Calm and bright.

Anson nodded gently. "Yes, you're right. So there's nothing to worry about. Just enjoy the night."

Wait, that's it?

Eve was taken aback. "But what if the movie flops?"

Anson spread his hands. "Then we accept the flop with grace. Eve, what actor hasn't been in a bad movie or two?"

His nonchalant attitude made Eve pause.

"Hah." Then she laughed and looked at Edgar. "That's the mindset we need. While everyone keeps repeating that he's the one to save the summer box office, he just shrugs it off with a 'What actor hasn't been in a bad movie?'"

They were nervous because all of Hollywood's expectations and pressures had reached a tipping point.

Anson wasn't nervous because he wasn't planning to shoulder the burden of saving the market.

Edgar smiled as well. "That's why he's the superhero, and we're just the sidekicks."

Anson shook his head lightly. "Not just anyone can be a superhero. Do you think others don't want to be box office giants? No, everyone does, but there's only one Tom Cruise and one Will Smith."

"They became superheroes not because they wanted it more than anyone else, but because they were ready when the opportunity came."

"Circumstances create heroes."

"So, what we need to do now is not worry about whether this is the moment to become a hero but to be ready to enjoy the present."

"Hey, this is the summer blockbuster season."

With a casual tone, their spirits lifted under the Californian sun, and the tension and anxiety dissipated, finally allowing some party vibes to take over.

"Eve, trust me, you're ready."

Following Anson's gaze, Eve looked down at her outfit—

Red pants, a red shirt, a red blazer, paired with black pointed heels. But the real highlight was her chin-length blonde bob, black tassel earrings, and bold red lipstick.

Bold, fierce, like a blazing flame.

Eve shrugged lightly. "You're the one who told me to go all out."

Usually, agents, publicists, and managers preferred to keep a low profile. They weren't as naturally striking as movie stars, and a wardrobe mistake could not only steal the spotlight but also risk making them the subject of ridicule.

But today, Eve didn't hold back—

She was all in.

And it wasn't just Eve. Edgar was also dressed to stand out, wearing a navy blue pinstripe suit that made him look bolder than ever, instantly capturing attention and proving that clothes really do make the man.

This was all part of Anson's plan. He wanted Eve and Edgar to be bold.

Anson flashed a wide smile. "So, you should enjoy the party. Don't waste that outfit, or it'll be a shame."

Eve and Edgar exchanged a glance. They knew Anson's plan but weren't sure how it would play out. As the moment approached, the nerves were inevitable.

As they spoke, the vehicle slowly came to a stop.

Looking out the window, they realized they were at the intersection of Hollywood Boulevard, but the cars were lined up, waiting to proceed onto the red carpet—

The Theatre was about 100 meters ahead, and they could see the crowd swarming at the entrance, with cameras flashing wildly.

Without a doubt, "Spider-Man" had secured the opportunity to hold its premiere at the Theatre. To be precise, it was the only major premiere happening that week, and the entire summer movie season was eagerly anticipating this film.

And the stars were out in force.

"We might have to wait a bit."

Edgar was on the phone with someone up ahead, and his expression showed a bit of surprise.

"Tom's here. I mean Tom Cruise."

For the "Spider-Man" premiere, Sony-Columbia had pulled out all the stops. Edgar and the William Morris Agency had mobilized all their connections.

Tom Hanks, Steven Spielberg, Anne Hathaway, Jennifer Aniston, and Brad Pitt were all on the guest list, turning the premiere into a star-studded event.

One by one, the biggest names were showing up to support the film.

At least from a publicity standpoint, they were making headlines.

But no one expected Tom Cruise to show up.

For a moment, it was hard to tell if this was a good thing or a bad thing.

Edgar and Eve quickly exchanged a glance, but Anson remained calm.

As the car stopped at the intersection, Anson suddenly opened the door and stepped out.

Wait, what?