The Greatest Showman #1241 - Diamond Single

Amidst the lively crowd, a tall, poised woman moved gracefully through the sea of guests. She wore a black tulle evening dress that subtly shimmered under the moonlight, which cast a soft, off-white glow that seemed to flow like a gentle stream, making the moment feel ethereal. Her wild yet alluring charm radiated effortlessly, complementing her sun-kissed, wheat-colored skin and proud curves. Her mixed-race facial features and long, dark hair cascaded around her, slightly tousled by the breeze, adding a sense of carefree elegance.

She was making her entrance.

Despite the attention she commanded with her debut, she was unfazed. All eyes were on her, yet she walked confidently toward Renly's location. Andy shot Renly a meaningful look, but said nothing, signaling Roy and Nathan to move on as they exited down the left corridor.

Her eyes, sharp and intent, were fixed on Renly. There was no doubt about it—she was here for him.

Renly stood calmly, awaiting her approach. As she neared, he offered a polite smile, expecting her to initiate the conversation. To his surprise, she said nothing, merely studying him, her gaze appraising him from head to toe.

The silence between them grew a bit awkward.

Renly, unfazed, maintained his smile. "You look extraordinary tonight—no less than Megan Fox," he said, offering a compliment.

The reference to "How to Betray Each Other," a popular film where an actress intentionally falls into a swimming pool to capture attention, wasn't immediately understood by the woman. She blinked in confusion, her smile faltering for a moment. It was clear that the joke flew over her head, and she began to avert her gaze slightly, flustered and visibly uncomfortable.

Although unfamiliar with the reference, her confusion subtly revealed her inexperience in high-society environments. Renly, always quick to assess a person's background, noted the woman's lack of poise. He couldn't help but find the whole situation a bit tiresome.

But soon, the woman composed herself, taking a deep breath and forcing a smile. "Everyone says you're a lunatic, and I can see why. You're thinner than I thought—I think I could break you with my bare hands."

Her boldness took Renly by surprise. It was brash and somewhat crude, completely out of place for an Oscar night, but Renly couldn't help but smile in amusement. "Are you sure you don't need any tools?" he joked back.

Her laughter rang out, and she nodded enthusiastically. "You're definitely one-of-a-kind, though not exactly my type." She winked at him mischievously. "How about a face-to-face salute? You can tell your friends you've had physical contact with the man of your dreams."

Renly chuckled, raising an eyebrow. "Can I refuse?"

The woman blinked, momentarily stunned by his refusal, but then Renly shrugged nonchalantly. "Before you get too eager, it's best I agree," he said, stepping forward to offer a half-hearted, playful salute.

A glimmer of amusement danced in her eyes as she grinned. "You know what? I finally see your charm. What do you say? Shall we have a drink tonight?"

Renly didn't respond, merely smiling in a way that made his stance clear.

The woman shook her head in frustration, her playful expression fading. "One chance. Miss it, and it's gone." Without another word, she turned and strode away with purpose.

From the moment they met, she never introduced herself, and Renly, for the life of him, couldn't recall her name. Though he prided himself on remembering faces and names, this one completely escaped him. The encounter had been brief and utterly unremarkable—typical for a Hollywood event.

It wasn't until much later in the evening that Renly learned of her true identity.

Her name was Arianny Celeste, a renowned UFC ring girl who gained viral fame due to her stunning figure and bold personality. She had made a splash on the internet, frequently landing on the top 100 lists in her field. This was her first time attending an Oscars event, and she quickly became the center of attention, with many men eager to vie for her favor. Her striking beauty and confident demeanor set her apart from the typical Hollywood crowd.

Renly, however, didn't have much time to reflect on her, as he was soon swarmed by a new wave of guests.

Ashley Greene approached next, engaging Renly in a conversation about punk and rock music, reminiscing about the thrill of live concerts. She lamented missing Renly's performance in person but promised to catch him next time, suggesting a karaoke session if the chance arose.

Then came Kate Upton, who stood silently by Renly's side, listening to the ongoing conversation. Every now and then, she'd interject with casual questions like, "Have you seen the Victoria's Secret show?" before the conversation would abruptly die out. Despite her occasional awkwardness, she remained close to Renly for nearly half an hour, seemingly content to just be present.

Odette Annable joined the group, her conversation focused almost entirely on "Love Crazy," expressing her adoration for the film and offering to introduce Renly to her husband, Dave Annable. "You two would have so much in common," she insisted.

Even Kate Upton nodded along, although she couldn't quite explain why.

Renly's encounter with Olivia Wilde was particularly memorable. As a fan of her work on House, he found her resilience and vulnerability compelling. Olivia exuded a subtle but unmistakable charm, and her conversational style was filled with energy, striking a perfect balance between playful and intelligent.

Then there was Dianna Agron, who seemed to appear out of nowhere. The last time Renly had seen her was at the Emmys, where the Glee cast was the focus of all the media attention. It was an entirely different situation now, and the two briefly reconnected amid the Oscar crowd.

Throughout the evening, Renly interacted with a steady stream of celebrities. But, as time passed, he began to feel the weight of the social pressures surrounding him. The flow of guests seemed endless, and despite his comfort in such environments, it became increasingly difficult to break free.

Forty-five minutes into this whirlwind of encounters, Scarlett Johansson came to his rescue, stepping forward with authority. "Sorry, I need my partner for a dance. He's been absent from his duties as my 'flower guardian' tonight, and now he must accompany me."

Without waiting for a response, Scarlett took Renly's arm, leading him away from the crowd. As they moved toward a more secluded area by the pool, Scarlett shot a quick glance at the people still watching them. "Don't look at me like that," she muttered. "Those women would eat you alive, and then come to me to settle the score."