The Greatest Showman #1369 - Blueprint for the Future

Another year at the Cannes Film Festival has come to a close.

Although her favorite movie didn't win the Palme d'Or, Emily still managed to secure second place. With a long sigh of relief, she smiled broadly.

The media center erupted in celebration. When the results are positive, no one has anything to complain about. The movie you support has triumphed, earning the coveted Palme d'Or. The scene was alive with high-fives, clapping, and jubilant cheers. Even in the midst of the party, Emily's mood brightened.

Mark, stepping up to her amidst the noise, said loudly, "I regret not watching Drunken Country Ballad again yesterday. Now, I have to wait until it's released. Who knows when that will be?"

"Haha, I watched it yesterday," Emily said with a playful wink, lifting her chin proudly. "And I also rewatched Adele's Life. I still prefer Levy Well—it seems further removed from us, yet it touches the inner emotions more deeply. Adele's story, on the other hand, is different. Maybe it's because I've never experienced such intense love."

"Simonna said that last line, right?" Mark immediately understood. Emily affirmed, and Mark added, "She said the same to me."

Simonna, another film blogger, had Adele's Life as her top pick for the Palme d'Or, and their debates over the film had sparked many lively discussions between them.

Mark and Emily laughed together.

"I heard Renly's next project is heading to Venice. I'm already looking forward to it," Mark revealed, sparking interest among the others nearby.

...

The 66th Cannes Film Festival had officially concluded. Adele's Life won the Palme d'Or, earning widespread acclaim from the media. It also garnered two trophies for best actor, but it was still rated second overall for the year.

However, none of the attention seemed to rival that of Renly-Hall.

After Berlin, Renly had once again conquered Cannes and emerged as the leading figure of the new generation of European actors. From North America to Europe, the young actor continued to impress, earning rave reviews across the professional and film industry circles.

So, what's next for Renly?

He had reached an unimaginable peak. The question of where his career would go from here loomed large. Venice? The Tony Awards? A Golden Globe? A second Oscar? And beyond that—what's next?

This is the origin of the so-called "Little Golden Man's Curse." With Renly's current achievements, surpassing this height in performance would be extremely difficult. As a result, he may venture into other territories such as box office success and business ventures, though these are often fraught with the risk of failure. Many stars, including George Clooney and Nicole Kidman, have faced such setbacks.

And Renly wasn't even twenty-four yet.

If Renly desired, he could have a career spanning another fifteen years or more. But after peaking so early, it's easy to lose one's way. Icons like Marlon Brando and Al Pacino, who rose to fame at a young age, experienced a period of confusion and silence before struggling to climb back to the top.

So, will Renly make the same mistakes?

No one could predict this, and no one could help him. Only time would reveal the answer.

But looking back, no one could have foreseen Renly's current success when he began filming The Pacific War. Who could accurately predict what his future holds?

Instead of dwelling on uncertainties,

Why not celebrate the present?

Party Time!

Leaving the Lumière Hall, Renly found himself unable to move, as guests and reporters surrounded him from every direction. Even when he pushed forward through the crowd, they followed closely, unable to break free. In the end, he found himself trapped.

Thankfully, Andy Rogers had anticipated this chaos. Twelve security guards had been dispatched, and with the help of the Cannes security staff, they cleared a path for Renly through the throng of people. Eventually, Renly was ushered into a sleek black coupe.

The voices of reporters and guests continued to shout outside the car window, asking questions.

"How do you feel, Renly?"

"What's next for you?"

The words collided in a cacophony, but inside the car, the atmosphere was tense, the world of Vanity Fair had closed in once again.

"Do you feel all right?" the driver, Curtis-Martin, asked politely, his tone casual.

Renly smiled faintly. "I still prefer Berlin."

Through the rearview mirror, Renly spotted the driver, a young man in a dark blue suit with a matching doorman's hat. Renly's gaze lingered on him for a moment before he asked, "Curtis?"

"Yes, Master Renly, do you still remember me?" Curtis's excitement was palpable as he adjusted his seat and tried to contain his joy.

Renly chuckled. "Is your uncle well?"

Curtis's uncle was Richard-Martin, the Hall family's long-time driver. While the aristocratic titles of the family persisted, the hereditary influence had begun to wane in modern society, leading fewer to follow the family's traditional roles. Curtis, however, was a young man eager to break from the mold.

"I didn't expect to see you here," Renly remarked.

Curtis beamed. "He's good, but he didn't know I came to Cannes. Master Arthur asked me if I was interested in this job, and I agreed right away."

Curtis rambled excitedly, recounting everything he had experienced in the past three days, his eyes bright with enthusiasm.

Renly didn't respond immediately but let Curtis speak, gazing out the window at the darkened Riviera. As the car finally left the city center, they drove through the gardens of a manor before stopping at the front gate.

"Master Renly, congratulations!" Curtis shouted cheerfully from the driver's seat before leaving.

The butler guided Renly through the garden to the back balcony where Arthur Hall, Edith Hall, and Andre Hamilton awaited.

"So, this is your new setup?" Renly asked casually, taking a seat. "Soda and whiskey, please."

Arthur glanced at him, a bit confused. "Why ask?"

"Because of Curtis," Renly answered simply. "Are you finally making a decision?"

Arthur had long been contemplating breaking free from the family name "Hall," using his talents to build something independent—beyond organizing aristocratic events—to truly create a career in the upper class.

Renly, quick to observe the signs, deduced that Arthur had stepped into this new venture.

"How did you know?" Arthur asked, feigning shock.

But before Renly could respond, Andre extended his hand and joked, "I told you he'd figure it out. I'm willing to take the bet!"

Edith shook her head with a smile, "Honestly, did Curtis spill the beans to you in advance? I knew he's been admiring you since childhood!"