The extra chapter has ended.
In the epilogue, Karl Rivette verifies Anson's identity through customs, but for the online fans, that still wasn't enough.
However, as Karl said, he didn't care and wasn't about to argue—
Skeptics and conspiracy theorists always have endless ways to defend themselves. Once entangled in their disputes, it can be impossible to escape.
For Karl, this experience was both wonderful and fulfilling. He got to know Anson again—not as a box office king, not as a historical figure, not as someone painted by the media or imagined by die-hard fans, but as a real person he carefully observed through his own eyes. He saw the truth behind the illusions, a flesh-and-blood ordinary person.
An actor, but more importantly, a film lover.
Clearly, after the European street tour and Cannes experience, Anson's image was quietly changing, which was all that mattered to Karl.
However, Karl didn't anticipate that his article would go viral.
And there was no stopping it.
In the midst of the lively discussions, a particular photo became the focal point.
Karl: ??? Why?
Karl couldn't understand why there was so much fuss over a photo of a back view. The picture revealed no information, so what was there to discuss?
Soon, Karl realized he had been naive.
"This is Anson Wood!"
Fans began their analysis—
First, they dissected the hoodie. This was a NASA collaboration hoodie that Anson had worn during his Munich street tour.
Then they analyzed the backpack, a Norwegian outdoor brand that Anson carried throughout his European street travels. It appeared frequently in photos.
Next, they scrutinized the back of his head, the shape of his shoulders and arms, and his upper body posture as he walked. Fans examined every detail with a metaphorical microscope, even writing fan fiction based on their own interpretations.
The most unbelievable part? Some fans found a reflection on the left-side billboard, zoomed in, and managed to extract a blurred silhouette of a face, confirming that it was indeed Anson.
They all turned into Sherlock Holmes, not missing a single minute detail, showcasing the same investigative energy used to catch a cheating boyfriend. Ultimately, they unanimously concluded:
This is Anson.
Karl was stunned. The fans had taught him quite the lesson.
Never underestimate the internet.
However, not all fans were convinced. The more some analyzed, the more stubbornly others refused to believe it.
The debate raged on.
Hours later, TMZ published a New York street photo—
"Anson Wood arrives in New York."
In this photo, Anson's outfit perfectly matched the one in Karl's photo, down to the smallest detail. What's more, it was taken on the very same day that Karl and Anson arrived in New York. TMZ confirmed that Anson had returned to the city from Europe to prepare for filming Spider-Man 2, indirectly validating Karl's article.
Instantly, the controversy evaporated into silence—
But in the age of social media, some voices never fully disappear.
Wow!
What replaced the controversy was astonishment and admiration. Fans went wild.
No one had expected Karl's experience to be entirely true!
Involuntarily, people started imagining what it would be like to run into Anson themselves. Whether in a café, a supermarket, or on the street, the fantasies grew, and their imaginations took flight, never to land.
Even Karl was caught off guard—
Originally, he had only recorded an unforgettable, magical experience, but it unexpectedly became the postscript of the Cannes Film Festival. It not only filled in the gaps regarding Anson's whereabouts after his street tour but also extended the spirit of the festival, perfectly concluding Anson's three-month journey across Europe.
This was something Eve hadn't foreseen either.
But it worked out well. She capitalized on the momentum, pushing forward, continuing to build Anson's personal brand.
Eve was rubbing her hands in excitement; she loved surprises like this.
But what about the person at the center of it all?
…
In Manhattan, New York, the city remained busy and noisy as always, the constant hustle never slowing down. The streets were packed with people rushing about, everyone seemingly too busy to stop and take a look around.
Yet, there were exceptions.
In this city where every inch of space was precious, there were still quiet corners where the clamor was kept at bay and time itself seemed to slow down—
Creating space for art to quietly blossom.
Unlike Europe, with its long, rich history, North America's history is relatively short, lacking the time to develop a deep artistic heritage. Instead, this land embraces the present, allowing modern art to flourish.
Because of this, the Metropolitan Museum of Art gathers global attention.
Beyond the Met, small galleries and art studios abound in places like Greenwich Village, the Upper West Side, and the East Village, giving artists a space to showcase their work.
At that moment, on a lazy afternoon, Nora Wood was busy in one such gallery in the East Village—
The weather was a bit gloomy, with thick clouds blocking the golden June sun. The entire city was cloaked in shadow, though it didn't feel any cooler. Instead, the air was heavy and oppressive, making it tempting to brew a pot of tea to chase away the muggy, humid atmosphere.
Before Nora was the culmination of four months of hard work, the result of a new exhibition that had opened three weeks ago.
It was a city space exhibit, featuring young artists expressing their interpretations of urban spaces and how modern youth navigate these environments through their artwork.
In 2003, this was considered a very trendy and fresh art theme.
Though urban space has always been a topic of artistic exploration, it had never really gained traction. In recent years, a new wave of interest had emerged, with artists eager to explore the relationship between individuals and the cities they live in. But in terms of market reception, it still hadn't attracted widespread attention—
People were simply uninterested.
To Nora, though, this was a theme worth exploring.
After years of focusing on classical art, Nora yearned for a new challenge. So, she took on this project, which no one else wanted to touch, almost as a charitable endeavor.
But now...
The gallery was practically empty.
Nora was frustrated as she gazed out at the young people passing by, all in short sleeves, tank tops, skirts, and sandals, their youthful energy on full display. Yet none of them stopped at the gallery door.
Back when choosing the exhibit's location, Nora's first instinct was to go with the Upper West Side—
An area filled with elites and middle-class professionals who loved to enrich their lives with art. Nora could have easily opened doors with her connections.
But she soon realized that would just put her back on the same track. It would be the same art, in the same space, aimed at the same people.
That wouldn't be a true challenge.
So, Nora overturned her own idea and completely restructured the project, ultimately choosing the East Village, where young art thrived.
But now?