cnatrainingtips Chapter 470 - 472: Best Actress
Chapter 470 - 472: Best Actress
Beyond the awkwardness was an indefinable sense of regret.
She had been fantasizing about her wedding since she was little, never imagining the actual day would be so chaotic she wouldn’t even want to think about it.
Ethan Shaw froze. He, too, recalled the disastrous scene of their wedding. At the time, he hadn’t felt much of anything.
But looking down at Naomi Kenway’s disappointed expression, his heart felt an inexplicable pang.
’Every girl looks forward to her wedding. The Kensingtons turned ours into such a mess... Of course she has regrets...’
The more he got to know her, the more he realized Naomi Kenway wasn’t as indestructible as she appeared. Before that incident when she was eighteen, she had always been a proud and willful girl. All the pressure from her surroundings had forced her to grow up.
She had grown more resilient, but she was still the same charming, adorable girl who loved princess dresses and dreamed of beautiful things.
’She must have imagined touching proposals and sweet wedding moments countless times.’
’But he hadn’t given her either of those things.’
Naomi Kenway shrugged, having already composed herself. Feigning nonchalance, she said, "It’s nothing, really. I just suddenly remembered it and got a little sentimental. So what if it was a bit chaotic? I got to marry a handsome guy that day. No matter how you look at it, I came out ahead."
Naomi Kenway wrapped her arms around Ethan Shaw’s neck, tilted her head back, and kissed his crimson lips.
Ethan Shaw lowered his head, deepening the kiss.
*
On the day of the Golden Phoenix Awards, Naomi Kenway changed into a magnificent gown and had her hair and makeup done by her personal stylist at home.
Both Laura Grant and Anson Colt sent cars to pick her up, but Naomi Kenway politely declined them all, because Ethan Shaw was driving her.
Just as she finished her makeup, Ethan Shaw pushed the door open and came in.
Naomi Kenway looked especially glamorous today. The corners of her eyes were winged, her red lips sensual and alluring. Her strong, defined features were perfectly suited for this kind of makeup.
"Do you like it?" Naomi Kenway blinked playfully at him.
"Our stylist is pretty good. I don’t need to call the one from the studio to come over after all."
Ethan Shaw narrowed his eyes, a subtle hint of danger in his gaze.
He stepped forward and wrapped an arm around Naomi Kenway’s waist. "What am I going to do? I don’t want to let you leave the house looking like this."
"Not going isn’t an option. I have to attend the awards ceremony."
"Is the awards ceremony more interesting than me?" Ethan Shaw’s eyes were long and narrow. When he deliberately squinted them, he looked impossibly tender.
"Are you trying to seduce me, staring at me like that?" Naomi Kenway covered Ethan Shaw’s eyes with her hand. "You can be the devastatingly handsome siren, but I can’t be the foolish king who shipwrecks his kingdom for you."
Ethan Shaw couldn’t help but chuckle. He took Naomi Kenway’s hand and kissed it gently. "It seems my charms aren’t powerful enough, then."
"It’s just that my self-control is strong enough."
Ethan Shaw had just leaned in to kiss her lips when she pushed him away. "No, my lipstick will smudge..."
Ethan Shaw’s eyes darkened. "I’ll help you reapply it later."
After they’d been messing around for a while, Naomi Kenway started to worry about being late and pushed on Ethan Shaw’s shoulder. "Stop, it’ll be bad if I’m late."
Ethan Shaw glanced at the vanity, and his large, well-defined hand picked up a tube of lipstick. "Is it this one?"
"Not that one. You’re holding a lip gloss, I need the lipstick."
Ethan Shaw examined the tube in his hand again, muttering in confusion, "Isn’t this lipstick?"
Naomi Kenway knew he couldn’t tell the difference between them. She smiled, picked up a tube, and handed it to him. "This is the one."
Ethan Shaw began reapplying Naomi Kenway’s lipstick. He held the tube between his fingers, his expression one of intense concentration.
Naomi Kenway saw how the lipstick had stained Ethan Shaw’s lips, making them look even more crimson and tempting. She smiled and said, "Do you know what you look like right now?"
Ethan Shaw glanced in the mirror, then pulled out a handkerchief to wipe the color from his lips. "Like what?"
"A little like a vampire."
"A minute ago I was a siren, and now I’m a vampire?"
"Both are equally tempting."
A smile sparkled in Ethan Shaw’s eyes. He motioned for Naomi Kenway to look in the mirror. "So? How did I do, darling?"
Naomi Kenway looked in the mirror. "Not bad. You deserve some praise."
*
Naomi Kenway entered with Anson Colt. A kind smile never left Elder Colt’s face as he chatted with her.
Anson Colt’s status in the industry was self-evident, and with him by her side, Naomi Kenway was the last to walk the red carpet.
"Elder Colt! Ms. Kenway! Look over here!"
Naomi Kenway posed for the flashing cameras.
At the end of the carpet, Naomi Kenway took a pen and wrote her name on the signature board.
The host smiled and asked, "If I’m not mistaken, this is Ms. Kenway’s first time attending our event."
Naomi Kenway thought for a moment. "Yes, it is."
"I’ve seen your performance, Ms. Kenway, and it’s absolutely brilliant. I heard Elder Colt knew you were the one for the leading role the moment he saw you. You really brought that character to life!"
Anson Colt beamed with pride.
Naomi Kenway replied humbly, "You’re too kind."
The host continued with a smile, "Ever since *The Search* was released, its box office numbers have been climbing steadily and it’s poised to break industry records. How confident are you about taking home the award for Best Actress?"
"Of course, being here today, I’m very hopeful that I’ll win. But with so many titans of the industry gathered here, I’m also quite nervous."
"Well, I’ll wish you good luck in winning the award in advance then, Ms. Kenway!"
The interview lasted several minutes. As a popular favorite to win, many reporters wanted to interview Naomi Kenway.
A few moments later, Naomi Kenway and Anson Colt stepped into the main hall.
Their seats were in the front row, surrounded by the most famous and influential people in the entertainment circle.
When those around them saw Anson Colt, they rushed to shake his hand and greet him, unable to hide their excitement.
"Elder Colt, I never imagined I’d see you here! You’ve been out of the spotlight for so long, we haven’t seen you in ages. It’s truly an honor."
Anson Colt stroked his beard and smiled, making the introductions. "This is my god-granddaughter, Naomi. She’s a very talented and hardworking actress. If you cross paths with her in the future, please don’t forget to look out for her."
"Of course, of course." Someone recalled who Naomi Kenway was, and their attitude became even more deferential.
Naomi Kenway took her seat. Anson Colt was on her left, and on her right...
Naomi Kenway stared, stunned, at the person walking slowly toward her. "Ethan Shaw... what are you— didn’t you go home?"
Ethan Shaw sat down beside Naomi Kenway and explained with a smile, "This is such an important day. I didn’t want to miss it, so I bought this seat specifically."
"What if—and I’m just saying—what if I don’t win the award? What if I hadn’t even been nominated?"
"Relax. Just think of it as a regular stage show. Whether you win an award or not, you’re already incredible in my eyes."
Ethan Shaw squeezed Naomi Kenway’s hand.
Anson Colt saw Ethan Shaw and greeted him.
Ethan Shaw nodded. "Grandpa Colt."