Chapter 754 - Sleepless Night

In the middle of the night, a piece of news broke online, captivating countless night owls and quickly beginning to spread. The headline read:

"Renly Hall: Popularity and Chaos - Defiant, Provoking Fans, Causing Riots!"

The details were shocking: an accident occurred at the premiere of Anti-Cancer Me, where one audience member was seriously injured, and 146 others suffered minor injuries. Within hours, the news exploded across social media, with public reaction ranging from jubilation to rage, and everything in between.

The drama unfolded like sparks catching on oil-soaked cloth, gradually igniting into a fire. The situation began to spiral out of control. The flames of public outrage grew as people started to sense something was wrong. The fire's spread was inevitable.

The article, written by Entertainment Weekly's reporter Cornell McGregor, gathered over half a million views in just an hour. By 4:00 AM Eastern Time (1:00 AM Pacific Time), people were in disbelief that the news was gaining such traction. The name "Renly Hall" had sparked a viral frenzy, gaining momentum well beyond the usual buzz of JFK Airport and Lincoln Center.

The next headlines continued the chaos:

"Renly Hall in Verbal Confrontation with Reporters at Premiere!"

"Lionsgate Refuses to Cancel Premiere After Fans Cause Stampede!"

"Renly Hall Causes Fan Riot at Premiere, Emergency Responders on the Scene!"

"Blood-Stained Red Carpet: Anti-Cancer Me Premiere in Crisis!"

The articles painted a picture of a celebrity out of control. They focused on Renly's conflict with reporters, his defiance, and the resulting chaos, portraying him as an arrogant and cold-hearted star who refused to take responsibility. This sensationalism turned the premiere into a spectacle of drama.

Although the news accurately reported the events, it lacked nuance. The pre-premiere frenzy, the overwhelming number of attendees, Renly's protection of co-star Lauren, and his embarrassment were all omitted. The confrontation with Cornell was presented as a personal clash, but the specifics of the reporter's question and Renly's context were ignored. The media focused on the injuries, but failed to mention the care Lionsgate provided to the audience in the aftermath.

The narrative quickly turned into a public frenzy, with the media feeding into the story of a defiant star, turning Renly into a villain for the sake of the spectacle.

From 4:00 AM to 7:00 AM, the headlines continued to pour in. News outlets across the internet were racing to outdo each other in their sensationalism. The negativity was overwhelming, but some outlets still offered a more balanced view, reporting that despite the chaos, the premiere continued after a two-hour delay. These reports also highlighted Lionsgate's efforts to manage the situation and the attendance of fans who were excited about the movie.

But even in these more objective reports, the story remained fragmented. They didn't provide the full picture, and audiences, unable to discern the truth, began to fill in the gaps with their own assumptions. The public was more interested in drama than facts.

The art of news reporting lies not just in truth, but in perspective. The same event can be spun in countless ways, and the media's position plays a huge role in shaping the public's perception.

As the premiere concluded, the media frenzy reached new heights. The buzz was relentless, and people were scrambling to make sense of it all. Traditional media no longer had a monopoly on the story. The internet allowed anyone, from bystanders to fans, to become sources of information, challenging the narratives created by mainstream outlets.

The Anti-Cancer Me team was not silent in the face of the negative press. Fans rallied to defend Renly, correcting the inaccuracies in the media reports. They shared firsthand accounts of what had happened during the premiere, including Renly's actions to protect Lauren and the measures taken by Lionsgate to manage the chaos.

In particular, Bradley Adams from The New York Times took a documentary-style approach, piecing together the true story of the night with the help of fan feedback and fragmented news reports. His objective account gave readers a fresh perspective on the events.

Well-known internet personality "Brando Mania" also provided valuable insight. Through a personal blog post, Brando Mania detailed Renly's efforts to salvage the situation, including his visit to the hospital to check on Lauren after the premiere, where he personally delivered gifts and signed posters for the injured.

Brando Mania pointed out that amidst the frenzy, no one had noticed Renly's role as a victim in the chaos. Despite the turmoil, Renly's anger was not directed at the fans or the situation, but at the media's sensationalism. Before the film was shown, Renly had expressed his hope that the evening would be both a great movie and a memorable night—but his hopes were dashed in the whirlwind of drama.

As the waves of news continued to crash over the public, the full story remained elusive. The night was far from over, and the media storm showed no signs of dying down.