Chapter 446: The Cost of Mistakes
[Chapter 446: The Cost of Mistakes]
Link rarely paid attention to outside matters while filming until his agent Sam Haskell visited the set on Thursday. Sam brought up the scandal involving Harvey's former assistant, Lorna, and actress Rosanna Arquette.
...
Last week, after Lorna exposed Harvey's assault, actress Rosanna Arquette also came forward claiming she was sexually harassed by Harvey Weinstein.
Rosanna was considered a second-tier actress in Hollywood and was of Jewish descent. She had played a 'robber wife' alongside Tim Roth in Pulp Fiction, and appeared in movies like Desperately Seeking Susan, The Big Blue, and Nowhere to Run.
Her sister Patricia Arquette was married to Nicolas Cage, and her brother David Arquette was also an actor, known for a significant supporting role in Scream.
In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Rosanna stated that in 1993, during an audition for the movie Romeo Is Bleeding, she was sexually harassed by Harvey Weinstein.
Harvey invited her to the Four Seasons Hotel to discuss the script, but upon meeting her, he immediately made unwanted advances and implied that sleeping with him was the price for the role.
Rosanna refused and subsequently lost the chance to play the lead female role.
She said this incident disgusted her and troubled her for a long time.
After reading about Lorna's story last week, she decided to come forward to expose Harvey, warning women in the entertainment industry to be careful around him and to report any harassment immediately to the police to protect their rights legally.
She also hoped the police would take the matter seriously and punish the offenders.
Due to her recognition in the industry, after her statement, more media outlets began reporting related news.
Many actresses came forward to support Rosanna, demanding a thorough police investigation.
...
Harvey became anxious and tried to suppress the news, but Miramax's declining performance in recent years had diminished his influence in Hollywood and weakened his connections with the justice system.
It was difficult for him to keep this negative news under wraps.
Despite his efforts over several days, public opinion only worsened. The police questioned Harvey and prepared to open an investigation.
Following Bob's advice, Harvey reached out to Link to plead for help, but Link was busy filming and paid little attention to the matter.
Harvey then called Sam Haskell, hoping to contact Link through him to find a way to resolve the conflict.
...
"Link, did you start the Harvey scandal?" Sam asked.
"Last month, when The Rock was released, Harvey's team contacted the media to stir rumors about me. In response, my PR team released some damaging information about Harvey. After that, the PR handled everything. I rarely got involved," Link replied.
Since American Beauty started filming, Link had been busy with script readings, shooting, and editing, leaving no time for other matters. Sean Tangney and Jon Gordon had hired people to handle it, and he stayed out of it.
Sam didn't press further and laughed, "Harvey suspects it was you. He came to our agency asking for help, but I said you were busy with your movie and haven't been seen for a while, so I couldn't back him up."
Link shook his head. Harvey had many rivals in the industry. It was suspicious how quickly the incident was blamed on him; maybe he felt guilty himself.
...
After Sam left, Link called Sean Tangney to ask about the progress and the chances of putting Harvey in jail.
Sean said the chances were slim because so far, there weren't many victims willing to come forward. Some had received settlements after harassment, others had ambiguous experiences, and crucially, there was no concrete evidence to prove Harvey's crimes. Getting him convicted would be tough.
However, damaging Harvey's reputation was easy with the current evidence.
Link thought it over and told Sean to have an intermediary contact Harvey, demanding a $5 million donation to designated charities, $3 million compensation to victims, and a public apology. The rest of the issues would be dropped.
Sean said he could arrange it.
...
Two days later, Sean reported back: Harvey refused to apologize publicly, only agreeing to a private apology to some victims with compensation. He only agreed to a $500,000 donation.
Link told Sean to continue negotiating and leak more about Harvey's scandal.
...
Newspapers and televisions were filled with reports on Harvey's sexual misconduct. Celebrities like Nicolas Cage, Johnny Depp, Ben Affleck, Renee Zellweger, and Demi Moore expressed disgust during interviews, urging the police to investigate promptly and deliver justice to the victims.
By Monday, Harvey's side softened again, agreeing to donate $1 million, compensate victims $500,000, and give private apologies.
Link didn't accept, setting a final offer: $3 million donation, $1 million compensation, and no more follow-up demands.
Pressed by public opinion, Harvey had to agree. Subsequently, he donated $3 million split between the United Nations Women's Agency, the International Red Cross, and anti-harassment organizations. Under legal guidance, he gave victims further compensation and apologized in person.
After the donation, media opinions began to shift.
Many reported Harvey's contributions to women's funds, portraying him as a feminist who would never violate women's rights.
Rumors spread that a powerful figure pressured Harvey to donate, warning him that refusal would ruin his career.
...
"Damn it, Link! I swear I will never forgive you!" Harvey exploded angrily in his office.
Though worth tens of millions, losing $4 million cash was no small loss. That money could have been invested in another film, bought a mansion, a luxury yacht, a few exotic cars, or supported several mistresses.
Now it was gone like thrown into the ocean, without a ripple.
Harvey was furious and smashed his office with a golf club.
Bob Weinstein stood outside, waiting until the noise stopped before entering.
Harvey, exhausted, sat on the floor, panting heavily, his white shirt stained with sweat and grime.
"Harvey, refurbishing the office costs money too, you should be more cautious," Bob reminded him.
"Shut up!" Harvey glared. "You're my brother, you should be as angry as I am about being blackmailed, not mocking me."
"Harvey, I warned you long ago to be careful with women. Even if you play the casting couch game, don't go overboard, and handle things carefully. But you never listen," Bob shrugged his large shoulders.
"Hmph! So what if I play women? I've been in the industry over 20 years and have been with dozens of women. That bastard Link has been in less than six years and hooked up with over a hundred women, got some pregnant - shameless and filthy. Compared to his perversion, I'm innocent as a virgin.
But that bastard forced me to donate money and apologize to those bitches. Pfft! Actually, the one who should apologize, no, the one who deserves jail is him, that damned Link," Harvey roared.
Bob dug his finger in his ear and sighed, "Harvey, it's over now. Complaining won't help. Let's learn from this and focus on making movies to earn more money."
"This won't end here. That bastard Link cost me $4 million. I'll make him pay back a thousand times over," Harvey said viciously.
Bob was helpless. This was a heavy loss for Harvey, and convincing him to drop it would be difficult. He could only slowly persuade him not to attack Link again.
...
The phone rang. Bob answered on Harvey's behalf. It was Michael Ovitz, relaying the Disney board's decision.
Due to recent scandals hurting Miramax's reputation, the board decided to suspend Harvey's duties, having Bob take over Miramax.
"No! I don't agree!" Harvey shouted. "It's over. There won't be more news. Why suspend me?"
"Harvey! It's not just the scandal but your performance these two years. Under your management, Miramax's results got worse every year, and deficits increased. At this rate, Miramax will go bankrupt," Michael said.
"Michael, it's not just Miramax. Disney is struggling too because of Guess Pictures rising and stealing our ticket sales. It's not my fault. Don't blame me," Harvey retorted.
"Harvey, this is the board's decision. If you disagree, attend the next meeting and try to convince the board to support you. Until then, step down and handle the scandal," Michael said before hanging up.
Harvey ground his teeth and smashed things again.
"Harvey, this is my office. please smash it gently," Bob hesitated.
"What did you say?!" Harvey turned, ready to strike Bob. Bob ran away scared.
*****
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