Chapter 289: His Charisma is Too Much for Ordinary People

[Chapter 289: Don't Fall for Link, His Charisma is Too Much for Ordinary People]

"Wow, Link really had this many rumored girlfriends? More than we saw at the villa, I'm truly envious of him."

"Definitely enviable! He has over twenty girlfriends, and I don't have even one. It's like the droughts and floods -- some feast while others starve," said Ben Affleck as he and Joaquin Phoenix munched away at snacks in the villa.

"These aren't even new stories; the media reported on it last year. You guys just didn't pay attention," Matt Damon chimed in.

"Before, they were just rumors without proof, but these latest reports are detailed and include photos showing Sandra Bullock and Brooke Shields frequently staying over at Link's mansion in Beverly Hills. They were staying together, not solo," Ben said, leaning back with a smirk.

"Well, maybe they were just playing poker or talking."

"No way! If we had that many beautiful women at our villa, you would think just playing poker was enough?" Casey Affleck interjected.

"Hey, we're adults talking here. Don't interrupt! Spend some time with Summer, or you might end up without a girlfriend," Ben tossed a pillow at him. "Casey's got a point."

Matt shook his head. "If we had ten girls here, what would you two even do? What could you do?"

Ben Affleck paused, contemplating the idea of being surrounded by ten women instead of just one or two. He quickly snapped back to reality; in such a situation, playing it safe was undoubtedly the wisest choice.

"Link is just an ordinary guy, not a superhero. How could he possibly have so many girlfriends? These rumors are obviously fabricated by rivals to smear him," Matt argued. "In reality, Link isn't a player. If he were, how could so many women like him?"

Ben opened his mouth to retort, but he realized Matt made a strong point.

"So, Sandra isn't Link's girlfriend?"

"What's it to you?"

"Sandra fits my type. I was thinking about asking her out. What do you think?" Ben glanced at a newspaper photo.

Joaquin shook his finger. "I advise against that. Regardless of whether she's Link's girlfriend or just a rumored one, going after Sandra now would be a blatant attempt to steal her from Link. Don't you want to be Batman anymore?"

"Fine," Ben pouted, diverting his attention back to the magazine. "What about Catherine Zeta-Jones? There are no rumors linking her with Link, so asking her out should be fine, right?"

"She was introduced to UTA by Link himself and has played supporting roles in Guess Pictures' films. While there might not be rumors, we can't be sure about their private relationship; she might also be one of Link's girlfriends who just hasn't been exposed," Joaquin pointed out.

Matt nodded in agreement.

"Damn! It's like everybody famous is linked to Link. Can't we find a single girl who isn't? And you still say he's not a player?" Ben was infuriated; with Link seemingly monopolizing all the beautiful women in town, how could he not be a player?

Matt shrugged. "You can find a girlfriend outside the industry."

"Hmph! I refuse to believe all those beautiful women are enchanted by Link. I'm determined to find an incredible woman who isn't interested in Link so that he can be the one to envy me," Ben said, initially just joking, but realized it was a brilliant idea and decided to actually search for a stunning girlfriend in Hollywood.

...

"Hey, I got information that Guess Pictures made a lot of money last year, causing the big seven film companies to feel threatened. They're planning to team up against it. Lately, there's been a flood of negative news about Link in the media. What should we do? Should we still partner with him?"

In the Malibu villa, Jackie Chan lounged on the sofa, holding a giant phone in one hand and several newspapers in the other, calling his godfather, Raymond Chow.

"What's Link up to? Any news?"

Raymond's voice carried across the Pacific through the satellite to Los Angeles.

"The papers say he seems to be vacationing in Hawaii," Jackie Chan replied, flipping through a paper he had read.

"Then there's nothing to worry about. If he's calm about it, so should we," Raymond assured him.

"But is Link being too complacent? He's only 23, has achieved so much success without much setback. Now that he knows the big studios are targeting him, he still seems unbothered, soaking up the sun and dating. It just doesn't feel secure."

"You make a valid point. Let's see how this unfolds. Watch what Guess Pictures does. Even if Link tends to be overconfident, there are many senior executives at Guess Pictures who won't ignore the situation."

"Sure, I understand. By the way, godfather, you mentioned introducing Link to a girlfriend. Now that the media is buzzing about his dozens of rumored girlfriends, all gorgeous women, I'm not sure if I should proceed with introductions."

"Let's try it out regardless. If it doesn't work out, it's no big deal. It could serve to foster a better relationship."

"Okay, I heard he likes martial arts, so I'll find a chance to invite him to practice. Maybe I can introduce him to a pretty girl too."

After a few more exchanges, Jackie Chan hung up and continued browsing the papers about Link's scandals, enviously smacking his lips when he saw Link associated with dozens of leading ladies.

---

"Incredible! The New Year has just passed, and you're only now saying Happy New Year? Isn't that a little late? But I knew you were calling for that. My answer is no comment. Stop prying; focus more on your films, or else your latest project might bomb and you won't get the Oscar for Best Director," Link said as he caught some rays on a luxury yacht in Moon Bay.

He lay on the sofa chatting with Quentin Tarantino. However, Quentin talked so much, rambling about mobile batteries overheating, that Link had to use the excuse of the wind disrupting the signal to end the call.

...

Just after hanging up, Sam Haskel's call came through.

Sam informed Link that many rumors were circulating in the media and inquired about his plan to address them.

Link stated he would just observe for now, assuring Sam that there was no need to panic. As a filmmaker and a bit of a playboy, a little gossip wouldn't hurt.

However, Sam wasn't as optimistic, expressing concern that the rumors were escalating, with the big media companies planning to use them to tarnish his reputation and authority in the industry.

If the rivals succeeded, it could damage his standing and impact film reviews and box office performance. So, he couldn't afford to be complacent.

Sam suggested cutting short the vacation and returning to Los Angeles for media interviews that could clarify misunderstandings and restore his reputation.

Link replied that it wasn't feasible at the moment. After his vacation, he needed to attend the Berlin Film Festival and wouldn't return to Los Angeles until late January. If rumors persisted, he would then consider interviews for clarification.

He reassured Sam not to worry; in response to the recent scandal, Guess Pictures' PR team had already collaborated with WMA and UTA to prepare in advance, ensuring minimal damage from the situation.

Sam, hearing that, didn't press further and simply wished Link a pleasant time in Hawaii.

...

"Link, come quickly! Jennifer has a leg cramp." Monica shouted from the lower deck of the yacht.

Link put down his phone and moved toward the steps of the yacht. Monica, Lily, Sophia, Michelle, and others were swimming in shallow waters, surrounding Jennifer Connelly. They were all gorgeous, gracefully resembling the mermaids from Pirates of the Caribbean.

"The water's a bit cold today. Let's warm up before jumping in," Link said, peeling off his T-shirt and diving into the water, swimming toward the lovely ladies.

...

After the media broke the rumors about Link, people inside and outside the industry were buzzing.

Some envied Link's glamorous life, living the dream many men aspired to.

Famous director Quentin Tarantino joked on The Larry Sanders Show that if he had another life, he wanted to return as Link's finger.

Renowned director Steven Soderbergh stated in an interview that Link's life was more exciting than the movies, as he not only had a brilliant career but also an enviable lifestyle. If given the chance, he wanted to adapt Link's experiences into a film.

...

Others criticized Link, alleging he used his status to exploit women and should face public scrutiny and legal consequences.

Actress and feminist icon Jane Fonda addressed Link's scandals during a talk show. She openly criticized him while also advising young actresses to avoid shortcuts and be wary of the entertainment industry's vanity, focusing instead on honing their craft and bettering themselves.

Popular African-American host Oprah Winfrey hinted at Link during her show, referring to a young director who had recently risen to fame and was idolized by many young people, representing the American dream. "If he's considered an idol, he should value that label and hold himself to a higher standard, setting a good example for America's youth instead of recklessly indulging his desires."

Additionally, stars like Sharon Stone, Geena Davis, Demi Moore, and Diane Keaton publicly voiced their opinions, stating the situation was detrimental. They believed that as the person at the center of it, Link should quickly step forward to explain rather than going MIA.

However, before Link could comment, the women around him couldn't sit quietly and took the initiative to defend him.

...

Renee Zellweger said during a media interview in Los Angeles that it was entirely normal for people to be attracted to Link. "He's exceptionally handsome, immensely talented, and incredibly resilient. No man could compare, and encountering someone like him is a stroke of luck. Falling for him is an even greater fortune."

Sofia Coppola openly countered Jane Fonda and other feminists' remarks, suggesting they may have aged and seen too much of Hollywood's past darkness. After learning about Link's rumored relationships with many starlets, they instinctively assumed it was reminiscent of their experiences with workplace bullying and exploitation.

In reality, things were completely different; everyone wanted to befriend Link because of his talent and charm, naturally gravitating toward him, rather than being entrapped in physical entanglements.

Sofia urged the older feminists to adopt a healthier, more positive mindset, emphasizing that it was a new era and they should no longer view matters through outdated lenses.

Shooting on a set, Sandra Bullock commented on the rumors, asserting, "Link is a man full of charm. His appeal is rooted not only in his fame and status but also in his talents, eloquence, and integrity; those traits hold a deadly allure for mature women. Those who have had the chance to work with him find it hard not to develop feelings, which is why rumors often follow him."

Then, Brooke Shields, Winona Ryder, Mila Jovovich, and others who had been involved in the rumors began to speak up, praising Link for his looks, talent, and charm, while commenting positively on his character.

Even Madonna, who hadn't dated him, praised Link in an interview, calling him charming and sexually appealing, making him a great date.

...

With so many famous actresses coming forward to criticize and support him, the buzz around the rumors reached an all-time high.

The originally heated gossip situation transformed into the most talked-about entertainment news at the end of 1994 and into early 1995.

As the seven major media companies capitalized on the scandal, they doubled down on reporting and sensationalizing the events, attempting to label Link as a 'bad boy.'

...

Meanwhile, Guess Pictures, WMA, and UTA took active steps in media relations, releasing positive stories about Link to portray him as Hollywood's most talented and charismatic man.

...

Media narratives began to split into two opposing sides.

One faction labeled Link as a cad with questionable integrity, while the other side had him depicted as a charmer, brimming with allure.

The camp brandishing accusations against Link had access to abundant media resources and a loud voice.

In contrast, Link's team was willing to spend money and, combined with a good rapport among many stars, possessed considerable influence as well.

The two sides engaged in heated disputes that seemed unresolvable -- until mid-January when a significant story broke, gradually tipping the scales of this media showdown.

*****

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