Hollywood: The Greatest Showman

Chapter 241: Breaking the Deadlock

On the deserted street, an elderly woman with white hair was carrying a large paper bag filled with baguettes, parsley, and a big bottle of milk. It was evident that she had just returned from the supermarket. Her pace was unhurried and leisurely as she walked by, and the sound of her footsteps made the quiet street even more peaceful.

Standing at the bottom of the apartment building were two figures, a man and a woman.

The man was tall and slender, dressed in a black suit paired with a white shirt. His attire effortlessly conveyed a cool and elegant demeanor. His sharp brows and distinct features, complemented by black-framed glasses, added a touch of restrained allure, making him seem unapproachable.

The woman was petite, barely reaching the man's chest. She wore a sky-blue blouse and a dark grey skirt, which made her look graceful and modest, yet not overly assertive. Surprisingly, she wore black flat shoes instead of high heels, making her appear more approachable. A gentle, warm smile graced her face, reminiscent of a spring breeze.

The woman turned her head and saw Renly, who had stopped walking. She waved gently and said, "Long time no see, Renly."

Renly took the cigarette out of his mouth and glanced at the man beside her, raising an eyebrow slightly. Matthew shrugged innocently, spreading his hands to show his innocence.

The woman's smile remained elegant as if she hadn't noticed the silent exchange between Renly and Matthew. She spoke warmly, "It's been raining in London these past few days, the weather hasn't been great. Today, we finally have a bit of sunshine, and I heard it will be sunny for the next two days as well. It's been a while. Autumn in London always makes one nostalgic, doesn't it?"

The elegant woman before him was Elf Hall, another one of Renly's sisters and the eldest child in the family, older than Arthur by a year, making her twenty-eight this year.

(A/N - Yeah. Her name really is Elf. I triple checked it...)

Elf was a legend in the Hall family. She pursued her dreams while meeting the family's expectations by becoming a surgeon. Despite still being considered "too exposed" by the elders and "not quite suitable for marriage" in high society, her professional image as a surgeon had garnered enough respect.

Moreover, compared to Edith and Renly, Elf was seen as a role model in the eyes of George and Elizabeth.

However, if Renly were to describe Elf, he would say: She is another Elizabeth Hall.

The filming of the "Like Crazy" crew had been ongoing for four days, including the day Renly arrived, making it five days since he had been in London. Elf had only now arrived. Interestingly, there had been no news from George and Elizabeth, and Arthur had disappeared as if he had never returned to London.

Even when they met, Elf's demeanor was exactly as Renly remembered, seemingly unchanged.

Polite and poised, her opening remark was about the weather, as if they had seen each other just yesterday, without any awkwardness or sensitive topics like acting or returning home. Everything was just right, yet made it impossible for Renly to refuse to respond.

"Edinburgh is breathtaking this time of year. You should go there for a vacation," Renly responded with a smile. He walked past her, putting the cigarette back in his mouth, and offered the cigarette pack to Elf, who glanced at it before shaking her head.

This small gesture made Renly smile. It felt familiar, as if nothing had changed.

"Are you planning to go to Edinburgh for a vacation?" Elf asked with a smile. "I thought you would want to stay in London. Edith will be back next week too. You know, the busiest time of the year."

London Fashion Week. As a top fashion photographer, Edith would undoubtedly be extremely busy for the next month.

Renly shrugged without intending to answer, but Elf didn't mind. She continued, "How long will you be staying in London this time? We rarely get to meet. How about we have dinner together one evening and catch up? How has this trip been? Are you satisfied with everything?"

It seemed as if he had just gone on a long trip to New York and not something as outrageous as pursuing an acting dream.

"Very good, everything is great." Renly didn't burst the bubble of this lie. "I visited New York and then stayed in Los Angeles for a while. At least the weather is better than in London."

"Of course, of course." Elf nodded gently, her expression still calm, as if she were performing a precise surgery, ensuring emotional stability without much fluctuation. "Since you returned to London, have you seen any plays worth recommending? You always have a unique perspective on theatre. It seems the West End is bustling again."

Renly almost laughed out loud at this question but managed to hold back, "No, I haven't had the chance to visit the West End yet. I'm not sure if Matthew told you, but I've been busy with work lately."

"Oh, work." Elf raised her chin, her elegant neckline as flawless as a swan's. "Yes, Matthew mentioned it to me." Matthew and Renly exchanged a glance, both with a hint of mocking laughter in their eyes. "However, I recently made a bold purchase from the Sothaby's antique shop—a fifth-century terracotta bull, and I've been so absorbed in appreciating it that I forgot this detail."

"You know, work has been so busy that I almost have no leisure activities now. I used to enjoy reading, but now I find that reading doesn't seem to relieve my stress anymore. I wanted to watch some plays in the West End, but I haven't found any good ones. Are you sure you don't have any recommendations?"

Elf's bland conversation, imbued with her unique gentleness and tone, moved unhurriedly, circling around Renly before cleverly shifting away, ending up back on herself. After a lengthy exchange, no substantive information had been conveyed.

This feeling was truly nostalgic.

"Sorry, I really don't have any recommendations." Renly's definite answer made Elf nod knowingly without disappointment, just a faint acknowledgment. "In fact, I have to get back to work now. My colleagues are all waiting for me. Would you like to come and take a look? If you want, my colleagues wouldn't mind."

Renly knew Elf would refuse.

"No, that would be too impolite." Elf politely shook her head. "I also need to get back to the hospital now. My lunch break is almost over, and I have rounds in the afternoon." Elf looked up at Renly and smiled, "Are you planning to continue traveling?"

"Yes." Renly smiled and confirmed.

"Then, I wish you a pleasant journey." Elf said courteously, as if they were strangers meeting at a social event. After saying that, she nodded and then turned to leave.

Watching Elf's departing figure, Matthew spread his hands and explained helplessly, "She forced me to do this. She called the office, I pretended to be out, and then she sent a bouquet of flowers to the office with an emotional greeting card." Thinking about the content of the greeting card, Matthew felt a shiver down his spine. "Then she called again."

Renly patted Matthew on the shoulder, smiling, "You'd better get back to work. Elf is still waiting for you to hail a taxi for her." A true lady would not hail a taxi herself; a gentleman must do it.

Matthew rolled his eyes, his expression one of frustration, which clashed with his cool demeanor. He then gave Renly a hug and quickly followed Elf's departing steps.

Renly knew Matthew couldn't refuse Elf because she wouldn't give him the room or space to do so. Even if Matthew continued to evade, Elf would find a way to achieve her goal.

Elf's appearance today represented the Hall family extending greetings on behalf of George and Elizabeth, to see Renly's current state in person. In comparison, Elf was the most suitable candidate.

Renly and Elf's relationship wasn't particularly close but wasn't antagonistic either. Elf was typically self-contained, maintaining a balance with everyone in the family without getting too close or too distant. She expertly navigated between relationships, maintaining the facade of a harmonious family that had long since fractured.

Even when George and Elizabeth considered divorce, Elf mediated—not out of concern for their separation but for fear of the scandal impacting the family's reputation.

That was Elf.

So, Elf's task today was to show up, make contact, and offer greetings. She wasn't deliberate; "greetings" were her final objective. Once accomplished, she would retreat gracefully. She wouldn't involve herself in this mess, wouldn't defend George and Elizabeth, nor consider Renly's feelings. As long as Renly didn't do anything to tarnish the family's name, she would remain an outsider.

This was a step to break the deadlock yet also to maintain the status quo.

Renly believed that after Elf's visit, he would have peace for a while. They wouldn't come to disturb him again.

He had anticipated such a scenario; even Elf's appearance and the content of her conversation were within expectations. Yet, when it actually happened, he couldn't help but exhale lightly. Perhaps, after returning to London, his performance was still affected. He wasn't as calm and composed as he imagined, nor as indifferent as he thought.

Suddenly, Renly found himself missing Edith and Arthur. At least they were full of life.