The Greatest Showman #733 - Celebrity Steps

After filming resumed, Jennifer, Donald, and the rest of the cast intensified their performances. The group of dancers behind the camera exaggerated their moves more and more, pushing the energy of the scene higher. Renly had a hard time holding back his laughter, and he had to focus on channeling the emotional intensity of the scene. Andre, however, witnessed a "face-changing" drama in real time:

One moment, Renly was laughing uncontrollably, unable to stop himself; the next, he shifted into a fierce, intense performance, fully immersed in the scene; then, as the sound of "ka" echoed, the atmosphere transformed, and the set erupted in laughter.

For the first time, Andre understood that behind the glamor of the stage and the magic of cinema, there was a hidden world, reminiscent of the magical realm Harry Potter encountered after knocking on Diagon Alley's brick wall. It was there that Andre began to grasp the depth of Renly's dedication and passion for acting.

When Keeley Hazell entered the studio, she was met with a scene of pure joy. The entire crew was laughing, the atmosphere bubbling like boiling water. But before she could move forward, a middle-aged man with long gray hair walked up, waved his hand to signal for quiet, and then turned to head behind the monitor. The noise quickly faded, and only a hint of dust lingered in the air.

Keeley slowed her steps to avoid disturbing the crew's concentration. She flashed a bright smile at the man leading her and silently mouthed, "Next, leave it to me." He laughed heartily, gave her an admiring look, then turned and walked away.

Keeley took a deep breath, letting the calmness of the environment settle her emotions, and began scanning the crowd for her target. It wasn't a difficult task.

In the center of the set stood Renly, wearing a black T-shirt and camouflage pants, his strange armor glistening with sweat as though he had just been pulled from water. Oil stains marred his face, adding to the rugged, slightly embarrassed look. But it was the smile on his lips that caught Keeley's attention—a bright beacon in the dark.

She bit her lower lip slightly, thinking to herself: This man is top-quality.

To be fair, everyone at the Hurlingham Club was of the highest caliber. But what made Renly stand out was his lack of the poisonous arrogance of the typical aristocracy. Unlike the haughty demeanor of high-society figures, Renly exuded youthful vigor, energy, and an elegance that captivated those around him.

Young, handsome, famous—those were bonuses. But what really stood out to Keeley was that Renly was an actor—a real actor. It wasn't that Keeley had a particular admiration for actors, but Renly was different. Without the aura of nobility, he was on her level, no longer a pedestal figure. She wasn't a mere ornament anymore, nor a plaything. This was the perfect opportunity for Keeley to seize the chance and elevate herself—like a sparrow becoming a phoenix.

Ever since their meeting at Hurlingham, Keeley had been researching "Renly Hall." When she learned he was filming at Warner Bros. Studios, she didn't rush into action. Instead, she crafted a detailed plan. She needed to make the first move without seeming desperate, to flirt without being crude—no easy task.

Today, Keeley opted for a more covered look than usual. She chose a pearl-white shirt tucked into navy blue trousers, paired with 12cm red heels, and a long azure blue woolen coat. The outfit highlighted her body's curves while giving her a sharp, cold elegance—an effective contrast with her youthful, almost babyish face.

She knew how to make men fall for her. For example, the middle-aged man who had led her in earlier, or the general manager overseeing the photography base. And now, she intended to add Renly to her list.

To avoid disrupting the work of the crew, Keeley took careful steps, stopping just outside the staff's circle without drawing attention. She didn't want to be seen as the type of woman who interrupts others.

She simply stood there, quietly watching.

The scene took about fifteen minutes to film. The actors around Renly danced awkwardly, adding to the fun, and the scene was filled with laughter. When filming finally ended, the actors scattered, shouting, "No revenge allowed! No revenge!"

Another voice chimed in, "Starting to regret it now? Too late!" This line made everyone burst into laughter.

Keeley followed the voice to see a tall, dignified man with a Scottish wildness to his appearance. He was the opposite of Renly's style but equally impressive. She couldn't help but steal another glance at his confident, satisfied expression. As her gaze shifted, she noticed Renly walking toward the rest area. Quickly, she turned her attention back to him.

"Hey, stranger." Keeley called out, her voice lively but not too close.

All eyes shifted toward her, and she stood with one hand in her pocket, exuding a confident, bold energy that made her stand out. Despite her masculine posture, her body and face conveyed unmistakable femininity, her charm undeniable.

Some staff members immediately recognized her. Football was the UK's top sport, and Keeley Hazell, known for her popularity with football fans, was a goddess to the average citizen. Someone even gasped, "Jesus Christ, Keeley Hazell!"

With the attention on her, Keeley stepped forward and walked confidently toward Renly, flashing a bright, captivating smile. "Long time no see. Do we need to introduce ourselves?" she said, teasingly sticking out her tongue as though she would be very disappointed if Renly didn't remember her.

Renly raised an eyebrow. Of course, he remembered Keeley, but what intrigued him was why she was here. If one assumed she was here to catch up with her rich husband, the reasoning would be clear. But Renly knew things were never that simple. Before making any assumptions, he decided to wait and see.

"Someone just reminded me," Renly said with a teasing tone. "If I don't remember, I guess I'll need to get my memory checked." He didn't directly answer whether he remembered or not, but his playful response left a lot unsaid. "Miss Hazell, what brings you to the set today?"

Keeley's eyes twinkled as she responded, "I came to visit the set." After a brief pause, she added meaningfully, raising her eyebrows as if to imply more, "A friend of mine manages the schedule here. He mentioned there's a crew filming, and I thought it'd be a good time to say hello, especially since I heard Mr. Hall is starring in it."

It was a simple explanation, but Keeley's tone made it clear she was hinting at a personal interest in Renly. Her words and eyes were full of intent.

Renly, ever perceptive, responded with a knowing smile. "I thought Arthur was accompanying you." It was a subtle jab, recalling her previous conversation at the club, and suggesting there was more to Keeley's visit than met the eye.

Keeley, unfazed, smiled warmly. "I haven't seen Arthur since then. How's he doing?"

Her response was clever, and Renly was impressed. She managed to clarify her relationship with Arthur while also drawing closer to him, narrowing the gap between them. From this small exchange, it was clear Keeley wasn't just about looks—she had a sharp mind.

Just then, another voice joined the conversation. "Looking to ask about Arthur's situation? Maybe there's a better way to do it."

It was Andre, standing beside them. Keeley was taken aback for a moment, while Renly's gaze shifted to Andre, who was clearly a friend. "This is Andre," Renly introduced casually. "He came to visit today. He's also friends with Arthur."

Keeley smiled brightly and introduced herself with a shine in her eyes. She was playing her cards well, and Renly could see right through her—she was after a step up in society, and every man around her was a potential target. Whether it was Arthur, Renly, or Andre, Keeley was playing the game, and she was going to take whatever she could get.