Actor in Hollywood Chapter 558 - 557: A Solid Support

Nora paused, slightly leaning closer to Charles, and asked, "Who is Darth Vader?"

Charles bent down a bit and whispered, "A character from a movie."

After speaking, Charles noticed Anson's gaze and hesitated, "Did I get that right?"

Anson smiled broadly and nodded gently, "Yes."

Then, Anson turned to Lucas, "You probably don't know who Darth Vader is either, do you?"

Lucas remained calm, "Do I need to know?"

Anson laughed and waved his hand, "No, no, you don't."

He had always thought that *Star Wars* had deeply influenced North Arican culture, perating every aspect, and that even if soone hadn't seen it, they would at least have heard of it. But now he realized that was a bias. There were indeed people like Nora and Lucas who knew nothing about movies.

On the contrary, Charles, who was well-read and knowledgeable, could easily catch the reference.

Anson turned to Lucas, "So, you just told Mom and Dad to co to Los Angeles?"

Lucas sighed almost imperceptibly, "No, I just told them that you haven't been doing well lately. We all know what the entertainnt industry is like. We understand that you can't avoid everything, but at the very least, we can be your support."

Then, Lucas turned to the Wood parents and said, "We agreed that I would co first this week to check on your situation."

"In two weeks, Mom would co and take you to an exhibit."

"Then two weeks after that, Dad would visit to see you."

"We staggered the visits so that you wouldn't suspect anything. But now look what happened!"

"Father!"

"Mother!"

Nora said confidently, "I was worried about Anson, so I ca to see him. What's wrong with that? How was I supposed to know you'd all show up today? And you! I almost slipped up when I saw Charles!"

Charles cleared his throat and bowed his head slightly in embarrassnt, "Sorry, that was careless of ."

Then, shifting the topic, he asked, "Lucas, what about you? Didn't you say you were coming over the weekend?"

Lucas didn't back down, "Oh, co on, it's easy for to get here from San Francisco. Anson wouldn't be suspicious. And it was you two who..."

So, it really was just a coincidence?

This ti, Anson was dumbfounded.

But behind this coincidence, he felt a strong warmth.

Watching the lively chatter in front of him, Anson couldn't help but smile broadly and chid in, "Lucas, be honest, did you subscribe to TMZ updates?"

Lucas didn't hesitate for a second, "Of course."

Anson couldn't believe it, "Lucas! I'm not a minor anymore. You don't need to keep such a close watch on . I won't cause trouble in Hollywood."

He felt a little guilty saying that—he seed to have forgotten how he ended up here in the first place.

But Lucas was unmoved, "I'm just keeping an eye on my brother's news. You have no idea how dangerous the entertainnt industry is. Those people will do anything for fa and fortune."

It was hard to argue with that.

Unexpectedly, Nora agreed, "Anson, I think Lucas is right. We don't usually read entertainnt news, but I don't want to see your na on the front page of *The Tis*."

"Mom!" Anson protested.

Charles joined in, "Anson, you can't bla Lucas for this..."

"Dad!"

Anson rolled his eyes, exasperated.

Taking a deep breath, he said, "TMZ is a tabloid site. You can't believe everything they publish. A lot of their news is fabricated."

"When I was filming in Portland, everyone thought I was recording in Sound City. I put out that fake news to throw people off."

Charles's eyes lit up, "So, you collaborate with the paparazzi too?"

Anson was both amused and exasperated, "Dad, that's not the point. The point is that TMZ gossip isn't reliable. If you're worried, you can just ask directly."

Lucas shook his head, "You don't understand. Our focus is on knowing about any news that might hurt you, so we can protect you."

I don't need your protection.

If this were the 19-year-old Anson from his past life, that's what he would have said.

Back then, he was too young and eager to grow up, to prove to his parents that he could handle things on his own, that he wasn't a child anymore. All that care and protection felt like a burden.

It wasn't until years later, after facing the harsh realities of the world, that he realized those burdens were actually his armor, keeping him safe.

Now, looking at Lucas, Anson took a deep breath and smiled patiently, "Lucas, you can't read every piece of news, and you can't fight everyone who dislikes ..."

Lucas interrupted, "Why don't they like you?"

Anson was taken aback, "What?"

Lucas repeated, "I an, why don't they like you?"

Anson burst out laughing, "Lucas, liking or disliking soone doesn't need a reason. Just like you don't need a reason to dislike soone. If you hate soone, even if they do nothing, you'll want them gone."

Lucas thought about it seriously, "Okay, I can't argue with that."

Anson continued, "So, you can't stop it all."

Lucas asked, "Then what should we do? Just sit back and watch, doing nothing?"

Anson replied, "No, you can do what you're doing today—stand by my side and show that the people who dislike don't matter because they have nothing to do with my life. The people who like and support are the ones who define my life."

"I'll need that reminder. Trust , in this industry, I'll need those reminders."

Lucas quietly stared at Anson.

Anson said nothing more, eting Lucas's gaze calmly.

Finally, Lucas gave in, "Alright." But after less than half a second, he asked again, "So what's the deal with Hayden and Brad?"

Actually, even now, Anson didn't have an answer about Hayden. They never t again and just drifted apart, becoming strangers.

Anson thought for a mont and said, "They were jealous of my success, and I figured it out, so they moved out."

For now, let's treat that as the correct answer.

Lucas asked, "Really?"

Anson shrugged, "What else? Do you want to check for emotional scars?"

Lucas was left speechless, "Fine."

Not only Lucas, but Charles and Nora also seed to breathe a sigh of relief.

Then Charles rembered, "Anson, I was serious about what I ntioned earlier. Aren't you considering moving? Maybe you should buy a property. After all, you're an actor now, right?"

Anson looked at him in disbelief, "Dad, what's with the questioning tone at the end?"

Charles just smiled.

Lucas chid in, "I don't like this house. I told you last ti. It's too easy for the paparazzi to spy on you, and you should have your own private space."

Nora nodded in agreent, "Since you've now established yourself in Los Angeles, it might be a good idea to buy a property. It doesn't have to be big, just three bedrooms would do."

Anson nearly choked—three bedrooms, and that's not too big?

Just as Anson was about to retort, there was another knock at the door.

This ti, all four of them were stunned.

Anson counted, one, two, three, four—the entire Wood family was already here. Anson looked at Lucas, "Who else did you tell about ?"

Who could be at the door?

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