Chapter 165: Taking Sides On the Spot

Five minutes earlier, in the photography studio.

When Naomi Campbell walked into the studio, her demeanor instantly shifted from her red-carpet persona to one of arrogance.

"This background is hideous... Are we really shooting here?"

She started with complaints, then slowly moved to stand in front of the backdrop.

"Move a little to the left; that's the spot. Then strike a pose for me," Ethan ignored her complaints and raised his camera, ready to shoot.

But Naomi didn't follow his instructions and remained motionless. "Can't you just adjust the lighting? I think this spot looks better."

Ethan stared at her for a moment. "This backdrop is already the best position."

"Is it? I don't think so," Naomi disagreed and stood her ground.

Lucas quickly stepped forward. "Let me adjust the lighting a bit."

After Lucas adjusted the lights, Ethan raised his camera again.

"Oh, and I recommend you change your lens. My face looks best with a wide-angle shot, and make sure to include my whole body," Naomi added, now demanding Ethan adjust his equipment.

Ethan raised an eyebrow and casually swapped in a 28mm lens. "If she wants to perform, let her perform," he thought. "The one who looks bad in the end won't be me."

"Alright, get into position. Let's start shooting."

Ethan raised the camera once more. Naomi nodded in satisfaction, then posed with her hands on her hips, leaning against the gemstone wall.

But just as Ethan was about to press the shutter, Naomi dropped her hands and pointed behind her. "Can we move this wall? The light reflecting off it is too harsh and draws attention away from me."

Lucas looked at Naomi, then at Ethan, unsure of what to do.

"It shouldn't be that hard, right?" Naomi smiled, completely ignoring everyone else's opinions.

Ethan's voice broke the silence. "Shut your mouth, Campbell. This isn't your house, got it?"

"What?" Naomi turned to Ethan in disbelief. "What did you just say, you white ghost?"

"I said," Ethan enunciated clearly, "shut your mouth and cooperate with the shoot. This is a studio, not your home. Did you get that this time?"

Naomi froze, as did Lucas.

"F**k! You're just a lowly white photographer! How dare you talk to me like that?" Naomi fumed, jumping up and down in anger.

Ethan sighed. Avril had been right—this woman was truly infuriating.

"You're like a cat in heat at a park, Campbell. Absolutely unbearable." Ethan's sharp tongue was unleashed, critiquing Naomi from head to toe.

"Look at your mouth. From the moment you stepped into the studio, it hasn't stopped running. Are you a blow dryer? Oh no, with lips that thick, you look more like the sausage in a hot dog. And I hate hot dogs."

"As for your body, what exactly are we supposed to admire? You insisted on the wide-angle lens—do you think it'll make you look better? With a figure as flat as a runway, you've got the appeal of an underdeveloped adolescent."

"How dare you humiliate me!" Naomi was on the verge of a meltdown. She hadn't expected a mere photographer to insult her like this, dealing a massive blow to her pride.

"Humiliate you? No, no. I'm just stating facts. Seal."

"What did you call me?"

"I said your face resembles that of a poorly developed seal. Any objections?"

"F**K YOU! AH!" Naomi screamed, grabbed Lucas's camera, and slammed it to the ground.

Within seconds, staff members rushed in, followed by curious celebrities and reporters gathering at the doorway.

After Lucas explained the incident, the expressions of everyone present became complicated.

Although Ethan's words were harsh, Naomi had been the first to use the term "white ghost," a phrase clearly laced with racial undertones. The white attendees in the room were particularly sensitive to this.

Adding to that, Naomi's unreasonable behavior made it hard for others to take her side.

Mandy, the event's on-site coordinator, was caught in an awkward position. "I think we should let this go, alright?"

"He must apologize and be fired!" Naomi retaliated, twisting the narrative. "They're covering up the truth! He called me the N-word first, and that's why I responded the way I did!"

Her words immediately sparked outrage among the Black attendees and murmurs among the crowd.

"Who did you call the N-word?" Jamie Foxx, a renowned Black actor and singer, stormed forward, attempting to punch Ethan, who swiftly dodged. Jamie was quickly held back, but all eyes turned to Ethan.

Morgan Freeman emerged from the crowd. "Naomi, is that true? Did he really use that word to insult you?"

Naomi lied without flinching. "Of course! While I was posing, he called me the N-word. I heard it clearly!"

Morgan Freeman turned to Mandy. "I think we should involve the police. Whether or not he engaged in racial discrimination needs to be thoroughly investigated."

"But the awards ceremony isn't over yet, Mr. Freeman. I need to consult the chairman first before providing everyone with a resolution," Mandy said, sending someone to fetch the chairman.

"Apologize to me!" Naomi, emboldened by the growing support on her side, demanded Ethan's apology. "Maybe if you apologize, I won't press charges in court."

"Ethan didn't say the N-word!" Lucas was the first to stand up, defending Ethan. "We never said anything remotely close to that!"

"So you're saying Campbell is lying?" Morgan Freeman's calm but pointed question immediately put pressure on Lucas.

Under everyone's gaze, Lucas nodded. "I can vouch for what I said. Only Campbell said 'white ghost.'"

All eyes shifted back to Naomi.

"Why would I lie?" Naomi exclaimed, shrugging her shoulders.

"And why would I lie?" Ethan finally spoke, and some attendees immediately widened their eyes upon hearing his voice.

"You don't need a reason to lie! You're a racist!" Naomi quickly labeled him.

But someone stepped forward. "I think this situation isn't so simple."

"What?" Naomi was about to lose it. How could anyone side with this unknown photographer? She turned to see a blonde actress.

"And who are you?" Naomi didn't recognize her, but some of the actors did.

"It's Scarlett," someone whispered, and soon her name spread throughout the studio.

Scarlett walked over to Ethan. "I think we can't jump to conclusions based on one person's claim."

"Exactly!" Jessica Alba stepped forward. "I know him. He's not a racist."

"But you just said you didn't know him earlier..." Julia Roberts muttered, only for Jessica to whisper something in her ear.

"Oh, it's him," Julia's eyes lit up, and she quickly joined in. "I also think this needs to be properly investigated. Everyone knows how some people are habitual liars."

"I've worked with this photographer before. I trust that he's not racist," Gisele Bündchen added, leaving Leonardo DiCaprio slightly stunned.

But since his girlfriend was taking a side, he had no choice but to follow.

"Ahem, yes, we need to carefully investigate this. We can't wrong anyone," Leonardo said.

Reporters in the back were buzzing.

"Who is he? What's his name? Why are so many stars supporting him?"

"Yeah, Naomi's the bigger name. How is the photographer gaining the upper hand?"

"Could he be a top photographer in the industry? That would explain it."

"Let's wait and see. Maybe Naomi's the one lying after all."

Naomi noticed her support waning and grew more anxious.

Several prominent Black celebrities like Samuel L. Jackson, Halle Berry, Laurence Fishburne, Djimon Hounsou, and Don Cheadle came to her defense.

In the blink of an eye, the studio was split down racial lines.

Yet, despite Naomi's numbers, Ethan's supporters were more influential.

Charlize Theron, upon recognizing Ethan's voice, also spoke up. "I don't think he's racist. I've seen him treat everyone equally on set, including Black actors."

"Yeah," Patty Jenkins agreed. "I support Charlize's perspective."

Renée Zellweger, who arrived late, joined after a brief chat with Charlize. "I think there's a misunderstanding. Don't we have cameras here?"

Lucas shook his head. "If there were cameras, we wouldn't be in this mess."

As the stalemate continued, Will Smith walked into the studio, curious about the commotion.

"What's going on here?" he asked.

Someone explained the situation to him.

"Man, did you really say those words?" Will leaned toward Ethan, his gaze intense.

Ethan looked up and calmly replied, "Absolutely not."

"Not... Wait a minute..." Will's eyes widened in surprise. "Ethan? Is that you? My God!"

His words sparked confusion among the crowd.

"Who is he talking about?"

"Ethan? Who's that?"

"I don't know, but it sounds familiar."

"Isn't that the director of Saw?"

"The guy who won Best Cinematography?"

Before everyone could speculate further, the photographer removed his sunglasses and beard, then took off his hat, revealing his true appearance.

In an instant, the Black celebrities standing next to Naomi all looked at him with astonishment, and even Morgan Freeman couldn't hide the shock in his eyes.

"Ethan Li Norton!"

"Why is it you!"

Everyone gaped, finding it hard to believe.

How could an ordinary photographer suddenly turn out to be the Oscar-winning cinematographer?

Not only that, but he was also a rising star, having earned over $100 million at the box office with a low-budget horror film. Even major studios were seeking opportunities to collaborate with him.

Would someone like him engage in racial discrimination?

Maybe privately, but it was highly unlikely he'd openly discriminate against a Black actress.

For a moment, no one knew what to say.

However, Will Smith confidently said to the others, "Ethan isn't the type of person to discriminate. He's filmed a lot of music videos for Black artists, and he and I are on very good terms."

This reminded everyone of Ethan's past work. Indeed, he had collaborated with several Black female singers. If he truly harbored racial bias, he wouldn't have worked with them at all.

This made Naomi's accusations even harder to believe.

But it wasn't over yet. Behind Will Smith, a middle-aged man with glasses, who exuded a gentle demeanor, walked in.

"Look! Steven Spielberg is here."

At the sight of him, all the celebrities smiled and nodded slightly to express their respect for the Hollywood legend.

"Steven," Morgan Freeman greeted him.

Ethan watched as Steven Spielberg entered the studio, unsure of his intentions.

Was he here to stop this farce? Or had he already made up his mind?

The crowd outside the studio also looked at Steven Spielberg expectantly, wondering whose side the legendary director would take.

But when Spielberg walked up to Ethan and Naomi, he didn't comment on the situation.

Instead, he faced Ethan directly, extended his hand, and said, "Ethan, Robert told me about you. He said you have an excellent eye and outstanding camera techniques."

Ethan shook his hand with a smile. "Thank you for the compliment. But Robert's directing is incredible as well."

"Indeed, I admire him. Do you have time later?" Spielberg asked, taking the initiative to invite him.

"Of course! Anytime!" Ethan was a little surprised, unsure of why the legendary director wanted to meet him.

"Good," Spielberg said, patting Ethan on the shoulder before signaling to Morgan Freeman. Then the two left the studio.

"I can't believe what I just saw!" one celebrity exclaimed, covering their mouth. "Steven and Ethan are going to have a private conversation?"

"Is he going to collaborate with Ethan on a film? Maybe he wants Ethan to be the cinematographer for his next project?"

"That's unlikely. Steven hasn't changed cinematographers in years."

"Then what is it? Could it be that Steven wants to invest in Ethan's new movie?"

"Maybe. But one thing's for sure: Naomi has hit a brick wall this time."

As the crowd speculated, Naomi's expression grew increasingly grim. There was nothing more infuriating than being ignored.

But when it came to Steven Spielberg, she didn't dare to voice any complaints.

Even though Spielberg hadn't explicitly stated that Ethan wasn't a racist, his words and actions had clearly shown his support for Ethan.

This caused many of the Black celebrities who had been siding with Naomi to hesitate. Some even began quietly stepping away from her.

At that moment, the chairman of the American Fashion Designers Association, Charles, arrived. He was dressed in a black outfit, but his earrings, rings, and necklace were all still in place.

Seeing Ethan, he immediately said, "I'm sorry, Ethan. This was a lapse in my judgment."

He didn't say anything to Naomi, choosing instead to apologize to Ethan first.

A sense of unease grew in Naomi's heart, but she stubbornly stood her ground and said, "Mr. Chairman, I'm the victim here!"

"That's right! Even if he's Ethan, he's still a racist!" Jamie Foxx chimed in.

Ethan chuckled coldly. "That's not for you to say. I've never used the N-word, just as I'm not using it to describe you now."

"Damn!" Jamie Foxx, known for his fiery temper, couldn't hold back, but before he could charge forward, others stopped him.

Charles turned to the group and said, "While there's no surveillance footage here, that doesn't mean we're going to take sides. Lucas is our association's partner photographer. He's only met Ethan twice, and this is their first collaboration.

"If Ethan had indeed shown any racial bias, Lucas would've informed us immediately, and we would've dealt with it seriously."

His words made Naomi's already dark expression even more difficult to maintain. It also caused the celebrities around her to frown.

They had assumed that Lucas and the photographer were in cahoots, shielding each other.

But with the chairman's endorsement, it was clear that Lucas had no reason to lie.

He had nothing to lose by offending Ethan, as they weren't even in the same industry.

Thus, his testimony became the most compelling evidence, earning the trust of the majority.

Another group of Black celebrities began distancing themselves from Naomi, leaving only Jamie Foxx at her side.

"So, Naomi was the one lying?" reporters started discussing among themselves.

"Not surprising. She's hit people before."

"But lying in a public setting like this takes guts."

"If the photographer wasn't Ethan, he might've ended up in jail today."

The reporters debated while mentally drafting tomorrow's headlines.

"Naomi Falsely Accuses Ethan of Racism!"

"I'm telling the truth!" Naomi shouted, her voice growing louder. "They're all conspiring to discriminate against me! This is a cover-up!"

At this point, she had no choice but to stick to her story. She couldn't let everyone find out she had lied, as it would ruin her reputation in the industry and cost her the favor of major fashion brands.

But the situation had spiraled out of her control.

Charles shook his head. "You have no evidence, Naomi. Even if you took this to court, the judge wouldn't be able to rule in your favor."

"So what? I won't let this go! I'll see you in court, Ethan! You racist!" Naomi declared, taking a resolute stance.

Her declaration earned her the sympathy of some Black celebrities, as accusations of racism were always a powerful weapon.

After speaking, she turned to enter the hall but was stopped by Charles.

"Sorry, Naomi, but as chairman of the Fashion Designers Association, I'm informing you that your participation in this event has been revoked." His tone was cold and resolute.

"What!" Naomi was shocked, but Charles ignored her outburst.

He addressed everyone present. "Ethan has joined the Fashion Designers Association as a partner. He's also a special guest for today's awards ceremony.

"If Ethan had indeed committed an act of racism, we would've terminated our partnership immediately. But as it stands, you have no evidence to support your claims.

"Your behavior has damaged the reputation of our members and the association as a whole. Please leave. Do you have any objections?"

Hearing this, everyone was even more shocked than when Ethan's identity was revealed.

This wasn't just any association.

The Fashion Designers Association was the core of the American fashion industry, with countless brands launched from its platform.

The designers who won awards from this association were among the top in the field, either working for major brands or founding their own labels.

In other words, 90% of American fashion brands followed the trends set by this association.

Luxury giants like Prada, Chanel, Louis Vuitton, and Versace were also members. Being part of this association guaranteed smooth sailing in the fashion world.

But being ousted by this association meant the end of one's fashion career.

Hearing Charles's words, Naomi felt as if she had been struck by lightning. Panic set in instantly.

"Mr. Chairman, I... I didn't slander him..."

Charles shook his head. "I don't care whether you did or not. You're free to take this to court, but your actions today have brought shame to the awards ceremony. Please leave."

Turning to Ethan, Charles added, "Ethan, continue the shoot. I'll arrange for someone to ensure nothing like this happens again."

"Understood, Mr. Chairman," Ethan nodded, watching as Naomi left, her spirits crushed.

The celebrities who had supported her moments ago turned away, pretending not to notice her.

Once Naomi was gone, order was restored, and the celebrities returned to the hall.

Except for Scarlett.

She walked over to Ethan with a dangerous smile, giving his firm waist a playful squeeze. "Impressive, my knight. I should've known better than to show up. So many women seem to have your back."

Ethan glanced around and noticed Jessica Alba still waiting by the door. He gave her a look as a signal.

Then he turned back to Scarlett. "You got the title wrong," he said.

"What? You're unbelievable," Scarlett responded, startled.

But Ethan didn't back down. "This is something you promised yourself."

"…Fine… Master," Scarlett whispered in the softest voice possible.

Ethan immediately chuckled. "I'll only remember the first one who stood up for me, Miss Saint."

Scarlett's eyes were filled with teasing charm as she glared at him, then curved her lips into a smile.

"See you at the hotel tonight. I'll be sure to thank you properly," Ethan said. Just as someone walked by, Scarlett instantly reverted to an expressionless face.

"See you later, then," Scarlett replied, her words layered with double meaning, before turning and heading into the hall.

As she passed Jessica Alba, the two women exchanged glances, each holding their own thoughts, before brushing past each other.

....

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