"What's your relationship with Winona Ryder? Are you two dating?"
"No."
The answer came like a brick wall—no room for negotiation, no space for speculation, and decisively shutting down any possible interpretations. It was firm and clear-cut.
Moreover, it was crisp and to the point.
So direct that it left Anson stunned, and even the reporters at the scene were momentarily baffled.
That's it?
Could it be that there really isn't anything between Anson and Winona?
Anson himself has a background in journalism, having worked internships at newspapers and TV stations. He knows when to be clever and leave room for interpretation and when to be straightforward and quash any possibility.
This was one of those moments.
Right from the start, there were no pleasantries, no small talk, no need to beat around the bush, and no unnecessary explanations. A simple denial was enough to make his stance clear.
As expected, the reporters were a bit dumbfounded.
They initially thought Anson would offer further explanation, but there wasn't any. His openness in facing all suspicions left the reporters with nothing to work with.
After all, Anson had done the same thing in Paris—keeping everything out in the open.
"So, what happened in Paris?" The reporter, still persistent, threw out a vague question, aiming to prompt Anson into an explanation. But the key was, without specific direction, what exactly should Anson explain?
Could it be... the rumors?
Even seasoned pros could slip up, and a guilty conscience might lead them to reveal something unintentionally—let alone rookies.
Anson didn't panic. The corners of his mouth lifted into a slight smile.
"You happened."
Reporter: ???
"You, the uncrowned kings, happened."
"Like jackals and hyenas, you pounced, trying to prey on a weakened Winona, trying to fabricate rumors out of thin air, trying to destroy her for a sensational story, attempting to exploit a victim for the sake of hype."
"Well, we're all familiar with this by now."
With a casual shrug and a straightforward expression, Anson dropped a bombshell among the reporters—
Words have power.
Anson not only defended Winona, explaining why he helped her and clarifying the rumors, but he also hinted that the media was attacking Matt Damon, harming Winona to paint Matt as a heartless man.
In just a few words, he conveyed a wealth of information.
Edgar might not have noticed, but Eve couldn't help but take another look at Anson.
Impressive!
Sure enough, the reporters were immediately stirred up. None of them wanted to take the blame for this. If the accusation stuck, they'd be like rats in the street, despised by all.
"You mean the paparazzi did this."
A reporter quickly drew a line, distinguishing between paparazzi and journalists.
Anson didn't respond, just calmly scanned the room, as if saying, "If you say so." But the subtext was clear—he was mocking the fine line between paparazzi and journalists.
Ahem.
Quite a few reporters discreetly looked away, avoiding direct eye contact with Anson.
Anson had achieved the effect he wanted—not guilt, but a brief reprieve. He knew that in the face of a big story, any guilt would quickly fade. He still needed to clarify the facts.
So why go through this roundabout way?
Because that's how news works—if the truth is laid out too plainly, it's often too dull, and people aren't inclined to listen. They need something to catch their attention.
It's like magic.
Before the real trick, there's always a bit of flashy distraction to confuse the audience and draw them in.
"Winona and I aren't friends."
Another bombshell.
"I don't have her contact information. The fashion show was the first time we met. Winona had a stomachache, and I helped her find two aspirin. That's all there is to it."
"And everything that happened afterward, clearly, was beyond our control."
"Including now."
An arrow, aimed directly at the reporters.
But Anson knew them well. They wouldn't think Anson was blaming them; they'd naturally think of the forces behind all this—
Matt Damon.
Edgar and Eve exchanged a glance. Anson had deftly untangled a complex situation and laid it out simply.
Imagine if they had fled the airport. Things would have gotten more complicated, spiraled out of control, and gotten messier. Who would benefit from that?
Matt Damon and Tom Cruise.
These two high-profile figures would have had the focus on them diluted by the chaos.
But now?
Anson had simplified everything in one move.
What will happen next?
If Matt's PR team is savvy, they won't drag Anson down. Instead, they'll subtly suggest that Matt and Winona's relationship has long been on the rocks and that Anson's involvement isn't the issue. The focus should be on the breakup, not Anson's appearance. This way, they can use the momentum to smoothly exit the situation without harming Anson or Winona.
**But if they're not smart enough and insist on clinging to the rumors about Winona and Anson, then Anson could easily push them into a corner, making them look not only deceitful but also viciously aggressive, like mad dogs snapping at everyone.**
Edgar could tell that Anson was still showing some restraint, giving Matt a way out without going for the jugular. He glanced at Eve, silently asking for her opinion.
Eve gently shook her head, a look of regret on her face.
Edgar was taken aback: Could it be…?
A voice from the crowd of reporters asked, "But there are rumors that you've known Matt for a long time, and that you've also known Winona even before Matt started filming 'The Horse Whisperer.' Is that true?"
Edgar looked at Eve, barely able to believe what he was hearing.
Were they seriously accusing Anson of being the third party who ruined Matt and Winona's relationship?
Eve nodded slightly, her expression one of resigned disappointment.
Things could have been simple, and Matt could have turned the situation around. But one wrong step by his PR team, and now everything was spiraling into chaos.
Anson chuckled—a mixture of disbelief at the absurdity of it all and the realization that, in a way, this made everything even simpler. "Yes, in fact, Winona and I have known each other for a very, very long time, even before I was an adult. So, is the Los Angeles County Court preparing to subpoena Winona next?"
Having a relationship with a minor is illegal.
Back when Anson was filming "The Princess Diaries" in San Francisco, Lucas had warned the fervent fans to be careful not to cross any boundaries.
And now?
With a bit of humor and a touch of sarcasm, Anson's stance couldn't be clearer:
Ridiculous. Laughable. Not worth taking seriously.
If someone truly believes this, then they should produce evidence. Perhaps the reporters should ask the paparazzi to dig up some photos. Otherwise, it's all just baseless gossip.
The entire issue stemmed from paparazzi photos of Matt and Penélope getting cozy, as well as other photos showing Tom and Penélope entering and leaving places late at night. But what about Anson and Winona?
A photo of them strolling along the banks of the Seine—that's all there was.
From the moment Anson stopped, stood in front of the reporters and paparazzi, and calmly faced the challenges and controversies, his stance was already clear:
Honest. Upright.
In just a few words, he had untangled a complicated knot.
Anson's smile remained as he looked around the room, his tone steady and friendly. "So, is there anything else we need to discuss?"