Chapter 431: Oscars Red Carpet, Pregnancy Rumors Explode

[Chapter 431: Oscars Red Carpet, Pregnancy Rumors Explode]

Knock, knock, knock~

"Link, it's time to leave."

In the office, just after Daniel DeVito left, Monica Lewinsky knocked at the door.

The curvy woman wore a gray women's suit and a straight skirt, walking in high heels. Her shapely figure created a striking contrast against the doorframe, especially her ample curves.

But Link was busy writing his script, not paying attention to the scene before him. He glanced at his watch; it was 5 p.m., three hours before the 69th Academy Awards ceremony began. He needed to prepare for entry in advance.

"Link, should we prepare the speech?"

Monica Lewinsky stepped forward, adjusting his collar and offering a subtle hint of peach-scented fragrance near his nose.

"No need. Not sure if I'll win this time, so no need to prepare in advance."

Link lifted the woman's chin and kissed her red lips briefly before leaving the office.

---

Back at the villa, Jennifer Connelly, Nicole Kidman, Renee Zellweger, Jodie Foster, and others were also ready to depart. The group drove in three batches to the Shrine Auditorium, where this year's Oscars were held.

"Link is here!!"

As he stepped down from a stretched Cadillac Escalade, fans and reporters at the scene instantly became lively, shouting his name loudly. Many enthusiastic fans pushed against the barricades, creating a chaotic scene for a moment.

Only after police and security guided the crowd did it settle down.

...

Link, dressed in a sharp suit, held a beautifully dressed Jennifer Connelly's hand as they walked the red carpet.

"Link! Link!"

Many fans shouted his name in unison, while male fans occasionally yelled, "Jennifer, you're so beautiful," and "Jennifer, I love you."

Link wasn't surprised by the fans' enthusiasm. He wasn't just a billionaire and a talented director, but also hailed as the "Sexiest Man Alive," a title with strong appeal to female fans hoping to catch his attention through their cheers.

Male fans tended to idolize him -- admiring both his wealth and his way with women. Many dating clubs even considered him a spiritual icon.

"Honey, you've got so many fans. Can you share some with me?"

Jennifer Connelly teased him as she waved outside.

"Sure, I'll give them all to you."

Link smiled, holding the girl's hand.

...

"Director Link, please wait! Can we ask you a few questions?"

Several reporters holding press badges shouted from outside.

Link nodded and signaled he'd answer three questions.

Journalists from the Los Angeles Times, Hollywood Reporter, and others eagerly threw their questions.

Previously, reporters asked mostly about his scandals, but since his scandals were so frequent that the media almost became desensitized, public interest waned.

So today, they mostly asked Oscar-related questions.

For example, whether he was confident to win Best Director, how many Oscars he planned to win tonight, why Michelle Pfeiffer and Sandra Bullock weren't there -- rumors said they were pregnant; was it true?

Link answered calmly the first few questions. Regarding the pregnancy rumors, he neither confirmed nor denied, only saying he would clarify everything in due course.

Hearing his reply, reporters sharply sensed the rumors were true -- several top Hollywood actresses might really be pregnant, and all by Link.

This was explosive news. If published, it would be the biggest entertainment scoop of the year.

"Director Link, is it true that Monica Belluci, Michelle Pfeiffer, Sandra Bullock, Sophie Marceau, and Julianne Moore are all pregnant? Why are they pregnant at the same time? Is there some plan behind this?"

El Simmons, a Los Angeles Times reporter, shouted excitedly.

Other media echoed similar questions, voices shaking with excitement.

But only three questions were allowed.

Link waved goodbye, holding beautiful Jennifer's arm and left.

...

"That bastard!"

El Simmons clenched his fist looking at Link's back.

"Why curse him? Even if Link didn't answer that question, he's a big boss and still stopped to answer our questions. That's more approachable than many bigshots."

Charlie Munger from the San Francisco Chronicle smiled.

"I'm mad at Link not because of this, but because he's such a lowlife. Michelle Pfeiffer and Sandra Bullock are wonderful women who sacrificed their reputations and careers for him, yet he's still fooling around. That's just scummy -- a bastard who deserves to be taken down."

El Simmons's face flushed red.

Charlie frowned, "I remember you said you liked Michelle Pfeiffer first, then she became Link's girlfriend, and then you liked Sandra Bullock, thought she was fun and had a sexy figure -- a great woman, right?"

El Simmons's expression darkened.

"Hahaha, I get it -- the two actresses you liked became Link's girlfriends and got pregnant by him. No wonder you're angry! Link deserves the insults."

Charlie laughed.

El Simmons glared, "I thought your most admired woman was Princess Daina."

"Don't mention Princess Daina!"

Charlie's face immediately soured and he cut off Simmons.

Simmons shrugged and doodled on his notebook. After a few seconds, Charlie muttered, "Link is indeed a bastard, a real scumbag!"

El Simmons chuckled. After Link neither confirmed nor denied the rumors about Monica and Michelle's pregnancies, many reporters silently cursed Link at the scene -- not just these two.

If this story broke out, countless men across America and the world would be cursing Link.

Now, their job was to get this story out.

---

"Hey, Link!"

Just off the red carpet, Michael Ovitz hurried up from behind, wearing a loose suit and looking a bit greasy.

Link and Ovitz seldom met; he remembered last time Ovitz seemed to have more hair. Now only thin patches remained, looking desolate in the breeze.

"Michael, what are you doing at the awards?"

"Ha! I heard you're up for Best Director, came specially to cheer for you," Ovitz smiled broadly.

"Good reason. Hope you're not making a wasted trip."

"Nope. This year's Best Director belongs to you. No one else deserves it," Ovitz gestured confidently.

Link had little to talk about with him and was about to leave with Jennifer after small talk.

But Ovitz didn't want to let him go, walking alongside him toward the auditorium, saying he had something to discuss.

After Link sat down, Ovitz sat beside him, chatting warmly.

People nearby were puzzled. Rumor had it they were mortal enemies since '93, battling over box office and even streets with gunfights -- an ongoing feud.

How come they were now chatting calmly together?

...

"Link, I heard you took over MGM's 007 project?" Ovitz asked.

Link nodded. "007 is filmed first. Disney's Armageddon will be shot later in the year, hopefully wrapping by next January."

"Don't worry, that's not what I want to talk about," Ovitz lowered his voice, glancing around.

"You know MGM's situation -- $3.5 billion in deficit, on the verge of bankruptcy. Many predict MGM won't survive this year. You get the hint?"

"It's not that bad. MGM is one of Hollywood's oldest, most established studios. They own thousands of film libraries and assets. Even with debts, they can survive and maybe turn profitable."

MGM was founded in 1924, one of the original big eight Hollywood studios and a symbol of US cinema. Even the Academy Awards were initiated by MGM president Louis B. Mayer. Early Oscar winners mostly came from MGM.

But in the 1950s, anti-monopoly laws and TV bore a decline for MGM.

Yet their legacy remained -- the 007 series, Tom and Jerry, etc. They could easily hold on for three to five years.

"Link, MGM's troubles aren't a guessing game. Turning a profit won't be easy. The North American film market is tougher every year. Last year was fierce; this year will be tougher. Weak companies will be eliminated. MGM is the worst off among the big eight. Guess who will be first to go?"

Ovitz sneered coldly.

"Even if you're right, what does it have to do with me?"

"Link, I'm sincerely talking here. Don't play dumb."

Ovitz peered around before continuing in a low voice, "Competitors are enemies. Hollywood currently has eight big studios -- crowding the market. If one drops out, the others get bigger shares and profit. So why not help push MGM out and let the market stabilize?"

He gave a sinister smile, squinting like a villain.

Link stroked his chin. "Disney's planning something against MGM, and you came to seek my cooperation?"

Ovitz shook his head and whispered lower, "Truth is, MGM's fate is in your hands. MGM's finances are tight; their yearly box office revenue barely covers bank interest. They're betting $100 million on 007's sequel -- a risky play.

If you sabotage 007's production so it flops, MGM won't last till next year. Once bankrupt, Guess Pictures can absorb them, making up for Guess's lack of legacy and replacing MGM as a Hollywood powerhouse. This benefits both you and Guess Pictures."

Ovitz's words were weighty, but Link wasn't tempted.

Though some facts were true -- MGM nearing bankruptcy, 007 box office losses worsening it, and MGM's bankruptcy helping Guess Pictures -- he refused to sabotage his movie to ruin MGM.

His purpose in filming 007 was to make money, gain experience, and strengthen himself. If the movie was good, he'd profit; if bad, it would waste his time.

That's why he always took each film seriously.

MGM's bankruptcy timeline wasn't his concern.

So long as Guess Pictures kept making hit films and sustained top-three revenue annually, the big eight's income would shrink.

Within 5-10 years, MGM wouldn't be the only one teetering on bankruptcy.

So to deal with the big eight, he didn't need schemes -- just more blockbusters to leave them defenseless.

"What do you think of my idea?"

Ovitz winked.

Link gave a sideways glance. "You think I'm dumb? I signed a box office split deal with MGM -- if 007 loses money, how do I get paid?"

"007's success might net you 30 to 40 million, but MGM's bankruptcy could get you tens of millions, even hundreds, maybe absorbing MGM. You know which makes more sense," Ovitz coaxed.

Link smiled lightly. "Michael, that's where we differ. People like you do anything to make money, ignoring rules and laws. I'm different -- every dollar I've earned has been legitimate since day one.

Because of this, competitors have tried and failed to find flaws to attack me. I've earned billions by playing fair. Now you want me to sacrifice my principles for a few hundred millions? That's laughable."

"Well..."

Ovitz was speechless.

"Besides, I'm a director. My job is to make great movies that audiences love and investors profit from. If lucky, win Oscars and honor. You're asking me to sabotage a film, hurt collaborators, and lose professional integrity. Does that make sense? Also, would you trust me with Armageddon if I intentionally botched 007?"

"No, no, it's just a suggestion, a terrible suggestion. Don't take it seriously."

Ovitz wiped sweat from his oily forehead.

Leaning back, Link sighed, crossing his legs.

"Michael, I used to think industry competition was fun -- everyone used legal moves to attack or defend, battling hard to win, like boxing. That was the pride of our career, even more than billions in cash.

But if competition becomes ruthlessness, hurting yourself and others, it loses meaning. Even a victory then holds no honor. What do you think?"

"Yes, yes, you're right. I agree fully," Ovitz wiped his sweat again. "Don't jump to conclusions. Last year's shooting wasn't my doing -- I swear to God."

"I know. If you did it, I wouldn't be talking to you so calmly."

"Thanks for trusting me. The ceremony's about to start. I'll head there -- hope you win more Oscars."

Ovitz hurried off, almost bumping into Ben Affleck and Jim Carrey.

...

The audience looked puzzled. Moments ago Ovitz was confident and excited. Now his face was pale and drenched in sweat?

Such a sudden change was odd.

People eyed Link sitting calmly in the center, secretly admiring him. Ovitz, a Hollywood titan past and present, seemed uneasy and nervous around Link.

This showed how impressive Link was.

"What's going on between these two?"

In the back row where the Showgirls crew sat, Harvey Weinstein noticed Ovitz's odd behavior.

...

"Honey, what were you two talking about? Why is Michael so shaken?"

Jennifer Connelly sat, holding Link's arm.

"He tried to do something shady, but I called him out. Advised him to keep clean. He got embarrassed and left."

"You're amazing, honey."

Jennifer smiled and kissed his cheek, her soft lips making him relax a little.

Link smiled softly, squeezing her hand.

...

"Hey Link, Jennifer, hope I'm not interrupting your moment."

Juliette Binoche with The British Patient stars Ralph Fiennes, Kristin Scott Thomas, and Aamir Khan approached, greeting him and sitting in an empty seat in the second row.

Except for Aamir Khan, the others had Oscar nominations.

"No problem," Link replied.

"Link, how many awards do you think we'll win this time?"

Juliette Binoche smiled.

"As many as possible," he said.

As they chatted, longtime friend Billy Cristal stepped up to the podium to announce the start of the ceremony.

*****

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