Meanwhile, in social media, news of Lucas attending his brother Melvin's wedding spread rapidly. Pictures of Lucas at the venue began circulating almost immediately, and media outlets were quick to pick up on the potential for gossip.
Melvin, an actor in his own right, had already garnered some attention in Hollywood circles for his wedding. However, his fame paled in comparison to Lucas's star power. What had been a moderately interesting celebrity event suddenly became the talk of Tinseltown with Lucas's unexpected appearance.
The intrigue was heightened by the well-known fact that Lucas had a strained relationship with his family. His presence at the wedding, despite this "beef," sent the rumor mill into overdrive.
As a result, what might have been a footnote in entertainment news became a headline-grabbing story:
TMZ: "Family Feud Over? Lucas Knight Makes Surprise Appearance at Half-Brother's Wedding"
E! News: "Knight Brothers Reunite: Lucas Attends Melvin's Star-Studded Wedding"
On Instagram, paparazzi photos of Lucas at the venue flooded celebrity gossip accounts. Fans and followers dissected every detail, from Lucas's designer suit to his newly styled textured quiff.
@Gossip_Girl tweeted: "Lucas Knight looking like a snack at his bro's wedding. That hair tho! 😍 #KnightBrothers"
Entertainment analysts began speculating about the implications:
The Hollywood Reporter: "Knight Family Dynamics: What Lucas's Attendance at Melvin's Wedding Could Mean for Future Projects"
Variety: "Two Knight Brothers, One Wedding: Is a Collaboration in the Works?"
As the online buzz grew, guests at the wedding found themselves inundated with notifications and messages from friends and followers, all eager for insider information on the Knight family reunion.
What had started as Melvin's special day had unexpectedly become a media frenzy, all because of Lucas's presence.
***
As the reception continued, Lucas deftly avoided interactions with the family members he'd rather not engage with, instead focusing his attention on Melvin, Mary, and the other guests. He found himself genuinely enjoying conversations about upcoming projects and sharing industry anecdotes with some of Melvin's actor friends.
It wasn't until Melvin pulled him aside with a concerned look that Lucas realized something was amiss.
"Hey, you might want to check your phone," Melvin said, his brow furrowed. "Apparently, we're trending."
Lucas raised an eyebrow. "Trending?"
Melvin nodded, showing Lucas his own phone screen filled with notifications. "Yeah, the media's having a field day with you being here. It's all over social media."
Lucas chuckled, shaking his head. "Of course they are." He placed a reassuring hand on Melvin's shoulder. "Look, it's your big day. Don't let the media circus and gossip ruin it. This is about you and Mary, not some family drama the tabloids want to cook up."
Melvin seemed to relax at Lucas's words, nodding in agreement. "You're right. Thanks, bro."
Lucas nodded, but before he could respond, Harold and Jake approached. Harold spoke first, his tone laced with concern, "Vin, have you seen the social media buzz? Those vultures in the media are really having a field day with this."
Jake chimed in, shooting a pointed look at Lucas. "I told you to be more careful about who you invite. Now you're under the spotlight, and not in a good way."
Melvin, sensing the underlying accusation towards Lucas, quickly intervened. "It's okay, guys. The media can't hurt me."
Harold shook his head, his voice lowering. "It may not bother you, but what about your wife? Think of her. This is supposed to be her special day too."
Melvin glanced over at Mary, who was chatting animatedly with some guests, seemingly oblivious to any drama. He turned back to his brothers, his voice firm. "I'm sure she wouldn't mind either. We're both used to some media attention."
Lucas, who had remained silent during this exchange, finally spoke up. "Look, if my being here is causing problems, I can-"
"No," Melvin cut him off, placing a hand on Lucas's shoulder. "You're my brother, and I want you here. End of story."
Harold and Jake exchanged glances, clearly not entirely convinced.
Lucas, feeling the tension, decided to lighten the mood. "Hey, how about we give the media something worth talking about? I hear Melvin's got some killer dance moves. What do you say we show them how the Knight brothers do it on the dance floor?"
Melvin grinned, grateful for the diversion. "Now that's an idea I can get behind."
As they made their way to the dance floor, leaving Harold and Jake behind, Melvin leaned in to Lucas. "Thanks for that. And seriously, don't worry about them or the media. I'm just glad you're here."
Lucas chuckled, shaking his head. "You know what? I'm not used to this. I didn't sign up for all this drama," he joked. "I get enough of that in my day job. Who knew weddings could rival a Hollywood set?"
Melvin laughed, but his eyes held a hint of apology. "Sorry for pulling you into this mess. I just wanted my little brother here."
"Nah, it's cool," Lucas reassured him, patting Melvin's shoulder. "Family drama, media frenzy - it's all par for the course, right? Besides, it's your big day. That's what matters."
As they chatted, a stunning woman approached, her eyes fixed on Lucas. "Excuse me, Mr. Knight. Would you care to dance?"
Melvin grinned, giving Lucas a playful shove. "Go on, bro. Show 'em how it's done."
Lucas rolled his eyes good-naturedly but allowed himself to be led onto the dance floor. As they began to sway to the music, the woman introduced herself. "I'm Elena, by the way."
"I'm married," Lucas quipped, a mischievous glint in his eye.
Elena laughed, her eyes twinkling. "I know. Believe it or not, I'm not trying to steal you away from America's sweetheart."
Lucas chuckled, raising an eyebrow. "Why do I get the feeling you're trying to flirt with me?"
Elena leaned in, her voice dropping to a whisper. "Actually, I'm a journalist. I'm here for my friend Mary's wedding. Never expected you'd show up. Now I've lucked into some alone time with you for an interview. So don't worry about me flirting - it's all business."
Lucas's smile didn't falter, but his eyes sharpened slightly. "Clever. But you know, even off the clock, I prefer to keep things professional. How about we just enjoy the dance?"
As they continued to move across the dance floor, a slight commotion near the entrance caught their attention. Elena chuckled, "Oh, looks like my fellow reporters have arrived."
Lucas turned his head to look, already knowing the answer to his question. "The media?"
Elena nodded, a mix of amusement and resignation in her voice. "Yep. Guess your family reunion was too juicy for them to resist."
Lucas sighed, his earlier relaxed mood evaporating. "Great. Just what Melvin needs on his big day."
Elena chuckled, her tone playful. "Well, it is kind of your fault, you know. Hollywood's golden boy shows up at a family wedding? That's headline material right there."
Lucas nodded, a wry smile on his face. "You're right. I should've known better. Now, if you'll excuse me..."
But as he tried to move away, Elena gently held his arm. "Wait, I have a few questions for you. It'll be quick, I promise."
Lucas sighed, glancing over at Melvin before turning back to Elena. "Alright, what is it?"
Elena nodded, her demeanor shifting to a more professional tone. "There's been a lot of speculation about your relationship with your family. Your presence here seems to contradict the rumors of a rift. Can you comment on that?"
Lucas paused, weighing his words carefully. "Family relationships are complex, Elena. I'm here to support my brother on his special day. That's all there is to it."
Elena pressed on, "And what about the rumors of a potential collaboration with Melvin? Any truth to those?"
Lucas chuckled, shaking his head. "You don't quit, do you? Look, I'm here as a brother, not an actor. Any professional discussions are far from my mind right now."
As Elena opened her mouth for another question, Lucas held up a hand. "I think that's enough for now. This is a wedding, not a press conference. Why don't you enjoy the party instead of working? I hear the cake is excellent."
With that, Lucas gave her a polite nod and made his way towards Melvin, leaving Elena with a mix of frustration and grudging respect.
Lucas made his way to Melvin and Mary, concern etched on his face. "Hey, how are you guys holding up?"
Melvin and Mary turned to him, their expressions surprisingly calm. "It's fine," Melvin assured him. "There are some reporters outside trying to get in, but they're not causing any real trouble."
Lucas nodded, relief washing over him. "That's good to hear."
Melvin's expression turned serious for a moment. "Just a heads up, when the wedding's over, you might want to have your security team ready to run interference with those reporters."
Lucas chuckled, pointing across the room. "Already taken care of. See those two guys at the table, demolishing the appetizers? That's Jack and Simon, my security detail."
Melvin followed Lucas's gaze, spotting the two burly men trying to look inconspicuous while piling their plates high. He couldn't help but laugh. "Well, at least they're enjoying themselves."
Mary chimed in, her eyes twinkling with amusement. "I hope they save some food for the rest of the guests!"
The three of them shared a laugh, the earlier tension dissipating. As they continued to chat, Lucas caught sight of Myla slipping out of the reception hall. He had a sinking feeling she was headed to talk to the reporters, but he decided to ignore it. This was Melvin's day, and he wasn't about to let family drama overshadow it.
As the evening wore on, Lucas knew it was time for him to make his exit. He gave Melvin a warm hug, then embraced Mary. "Congratulations again, you two. It was a beautiful wedding."
Melvin clapped him on the back. "Thanks for coming, bro. It meant a lot."
With final goodbyes said, Lucas and his security team made their way to the exit. The moment they stepped outside, they were swarmed by reporters. Jack and Simon immediately moved to create a barrier, but the journalists were aggressive, shoving microphones and cameras in Lucas's face.
Frustration bubbled up inside Lucas as a microphone nearly hit his chin. He pushed it aside, his voice sharp. "What are you guys doing? Don't shove that in my face!"
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