Chapter 139: Encountering Paparazzi

Chapter 139: Chapter 139: Encountering Paparazzi

Britney first spotted a pair of platinum cufflinks. "Wow, these! They have a nautical compass pattern on them! They look just like the pirate story you wrote! He could wear them to film a movie!"

Just as the shop assistant was about to introduce them, Britney had already wandered over to another clerk, resting her chin in her hands, and muttered softly, "But he said last time that he likes things a bit more low-key..."

After hesitating for a few seconds, her eyes suddenly lit up. She pointed at a ring on the tray, her voice soft and sweet. "This ring is also nice. It’s a simple, wide band on the outside, but it has a little heart engraved on the inside. It’s so manly and romantic."

As she spoke, she tried the ring on her own finger. "No, I can’t be the one to give the ring first. He hasn’t even given me one yet!"

Afterward, she picked up a diamond-studded tie clip and turned it under the light. The glint of the diamonds reflected in her eyes, as if they held an entire galaxy. "This is also so pretty! But would it be too flashy? It would be perfect for him to wear to an awards ceremony, but would it be too ostentatious for everyday wear?"

She put the tie clip back in its place and picked up a silver necklace with a tiny musical note pendant. She turned to wink at Irene. "This one! I’m a singer. How meaningful would it be for me to give him musical notes! Plus, the thin chain isn’t flashy at all!"

Before Irene could respond, Britney suddenly remembered something and clapped her hands. "Oh, right, right! He said before that he wanted a small item he could carry around with him!"

As she spoke, she pulled the shop assistant over to ask, "Do you have engraving services? I want to engrave both our names on it!"

Irene covered her forehead. Fine, she hadn’t had a chance to interject throughout the entire process. Britney had just rattled on about a bunch of random things.

She took a sip of the red wine provided by the shop, watching Britney chatter away with the shop assistant about the engraving details—fussing over fonts one moment, discussing the placement the next. She was completely in the state of a young girl head over heels in love.

In the end, Britney chose the platinum cufflinks with the nautical compass pattern and the pair of couple’s bracelets Irene had seen at the beginning.

After Britney paid, she handed one of the couple’s bracelets to Irene. "The cufflinks are for Edward, and we’ll each take one of the bracelets." After she finished speaking, she happily pulled Irene out of the store.

"Great! When he receives the gift, I must take a picture of his surprised look to show you!"

Before she could finish her sentence, a rush of hurried footsteps surged from the street corner, accompanied by the dense sound of camera shutters clicking. A dozen paparazzi swarmed them like a tide.

Blinding camera flashes exploded instantly, one after another, making it impossible to keep one’s eyes open. Irene instinctively squinted, feeling only a vast whiteness before her, and even her breathing carried the discomfort of being scorched by the harsh light.

The paparazzi’s microphones were practically poking into their faces, and questions came one after another:

"Britney! Is it true that Edward got into a fistfight with Justin at the company over you?"

"Are you and Edward having relationship problems? Is Justin the third party?"

"Some say you’re two-timing, is that right? Give us a response!"

Britney’s body flinched slightly, but she didn’t show the slightest panic or impatience.

Irene immediately turned to shield her behind her back, her brow furrowed as she tried to push back the surrounding crowd. "Please make way, we have things to do, don’t crowd us!"

But the paparazzi didn’t retreat at all. Instead, they crowded in tighter, and the flashes grew even more intense, almost piercing the retinas. Irene could feel that the fingertips of Britney, who was beside her, were slightly cold.

"Everyone, please be quiet, don’t push." Britney gently leaned out from behind Irene, her voice still sweet yet very firm. "Regarding the matters everyone is concerned about, I will speak about them here."

The paparazzi’s questions gradually died down, leaving only the sound of camera shutters continuing.

Her tone was sincere and pure. "Justin and I are friends who grew up together. We did play well as children, but there has never been any feeling beyond friendship. I have already clearly rejected his previous confession because Edward is the only person in my heart."

She paused, a gentle smile lifting the corners of her mouth. "Since I met Edward in 1999, I have never looked at anyone else. He is gentle, considerate, and always unconditionally supports my career. No matter how sad I am, he will be the first to cheer me up, and he remembers all my little habits. In my heart, he is the most perfect boyfriend."

"Then why did he get into a fight with Justin?" a paparazzi asked, unwilling to give up.

"It was just a misunderstanding, a little friction in communication that has already been resolved." Britney shook her head gently, her tone still gentle but carrying an unquestionable certainty.

"I haven’t cheated, and I have never thought about betraying Edward. Our relationship is very good, and I hope everyone can respect our privacy and respect this relationship."

After she finished speaking, she bowed slightly, and the surrounding paparazzi instinctively loosened to create a gap.

Irene immediately seized the opportunity, grabbed Britney’s wrist, and shielded her as they carefully moved through the crowd, walking quickly toward the car parked on the roadside.

The moment they sat in the car and closed the door, the flashes and the noise outside were finally shut out.

Britney rubbed her eyes. "I hope they believe what I said and don’t write nonsense."

Irene was full of admiration. To be able to maintain rationality and gentleness, and to be able to keep her temper under such "enthusiastic" circumstances from the paparazzi—she couldn’t do it.

"You and Edward will definitely be happy forever," Irene couldn’t help but exclaim.

On March 25, 2001, the 73rd Oscar Awards ceremony kicked off at the Kodak Theatre in Los Angeles.

As night fell, the red carpet outside the theater was illuminated by camera flashes like it was daylight, and the air was filled with the fragrance of perfume and the shimmer of Hollywood’s dazzling stars.

Irene, wearing stilettos, walked the Oscar red carpet for the first time. She wore a simple black satin dress, its clean tailoring outlining her upright figure. The neckline was adorned only with a tiny diamond brooch. There were no extra decorations, yet it revealed an unmistakable quality amidst its understated nature.

Compared to the stunning bright red Valentino from the Golden Globe Awards, this choice was a deliberate toning down of her edge.

She knew very well that in the competition for Best Original Screenplay, both Almost Famous and Erin Brockovich had a much higher chance of winning than she did. Being able to get a nomination and become one of the youngest candidates in history was already the greatest success.

While walking the red carpet, the shouts of the reporters remained enthusiastic, and cameras were aimed at her one after another, but Irene just nodded slightly with a smile, walking with composure. She didn’t linger too long and walked straight into the theater.

When she found her seat, Shelly was already waiting with two cups of coffee placed beside her.

Irene glanced at them. "Drinking coffee late at night?"