Hollywood Director 1992.

Chapter 415 Diana's Plea, Link's Insolent Request (4K)

Before things were settled with Diana, Link received another call from Michael Ovitz when he returned to the hotel to rest in the afternoon. Ovitz said he had something important to discuss with him.

"Haha, Link, congratulations on the huge success of Toy Story! Guess what, the film company's performance this year will probably be number one in the industry again."

Ovitz said very politely on the phone.

Thank you! I hope your prediction comes true.

Link sat on the sofa, took the coffee Charlize Theron handed him, and took a sip.

When Ovitz continued praising Toy Story and Guess the Movies' performance, he interrupted Ovitz's pleasantries, telling him to get straight to the point and stop beating around the bush, as he had other things to do that evening.

“Okay Link, Pixar’s animated films are excellent and demonstrate the potential of computer-animated films. But guess what? They’re not professional animation studios and can’t fully tap into the market potential of animated films, while we at Disney can.”

Ovitz paused for a moment, then said, "Pixar Studios has now proven its value and your foresight. This is the best time for Pixar, and the next movie might not be a success. Have you considered selling Pixar Animation Studios while things are looking good? Disney is willing to offer you a very attractive price."

"You want to buy Pixar?"

"Yes, we are very sincere and will never let you suffer a loss."

Ovitz said with absolute certainty.

Link chuckled softly, glanced at Charlize Theron, who was wearing a silk nightgown and lounging to the side reading a newspaper, and reached out to pull the girl into his arms. "Okay, $20 billion, what do you think of that offer?"

"20 billion?"

Ovitz shouted exaggeratedly, "Link, last year you only spent $300 million to acquire Pixar, and even with a 10% stake, it was only $500 million. Now you're asking for $2 billion, isn't that a bit outrageous?"

"It's no exaggeration! The huge box office success of 'Toy Story' proves Pixar's value. It's like a goose that lays golden eggs, and it will produce more blockbuster animated films in the future. So, $20 billion is a very low and sincere offer, and it's also our lowest offer. If you're not willing to spend the money, then don't mention acquiring Pixar again."

Charlize Theron looked at him with bright eyes in his arms, her long arms wrapped around his neck, kissing his chin and the corner of his lips, her hands deliberately messing with him.

Link smiled and tickled her lower abdomen. The girl giggled, bit his finger, and pulled his hand up to the most comfortable position.

On the other end of the phone, Ovitz had intended to haggle, but when he heard Link say it was the lowest offer, he had to swallow his words. "Okay Link, to be honest, Disney is interested in acquiring Pixar, with a maximum offer of $10 billion. Last year you acquired Pixar Studios for $5 million and made $5 million in a year. That was a very good deal. If you're interested in selling, remember to contact me."

"Forget it, Guess what? Pixar Pictures values ​​Pixar very much and has no plans to sell for the time being. However, if you are optimistic about the development of Pixar Studios, you may have the opportunity to acquire some shares by the end of the year."

"Year-end? You're planning to raise funds?"

You'll find out in two weeks.

As Link was saying goodbye, Ovitz proposed collaborating with Guess the Movies to jointly promote and distribute Toy Story. He argued that Disney was a professional in promoting and distributing animated films and would definitely help the movie earn more at the box office.

Ovitz also mentioned helping to develop Toy Story merchandise, including producing and selling toys, clothing, and movie-themed parks.

Link thought about it and agreed that the suggestion was good, but he was busy with other things and didn't have time to discuss business. He asked Ovitz to contact Michael Leeson and Joe Ferrer.

They are primarily responsible for the film distribution and merchandise development of Guess What.

After hanging up the phone, Link embraced the blonde beauty with a dazed look in her eyes and kissed her passionately, causing the beauty's fair and slender legs to straighten.

A moment later, a hymn of love and life began to play from the bedroom stereo, sincere and passionate.
-
The next day, Link got up early, kissed Sleeping Beauty in the hair, and left the hotel to go to the film set to shoot.

At noon, Lewinsky came to him to report on his work.

Yesterday she talked to Diana and asked her what she needed to tell Link.

Diana didn't explain why, only saying that the scenery in southern Ireland was beautiful and she planned to travel there.

Link was helpless. He was filming in London, and Diana came to visit him on set. He was filming in Ireland, and Diana came along for a trip.

If the media finds out, no matter how much he explains that the two are not related, it will be useless.

"Boss, should I go and try to persuade her again?"

Lewinsky asked.

Link shook his head. Diana was of noble status. Even after her divorce from her ex-husband, she still held several noble titles and enjoyed an excellent reputation among the public. Many celebrities in the entertainment industry were her admirers.

One should not be too rude to a woman like this; one should be polite.

"Never mind, ask her to come to the hotel. I'll talk to her after I finish filming this afternoon."

"If you meet her, it's easy for rumors to break out."

"It's okay, I'm a playboy, scandals are commonplace for me."

"Okay, I'll contact her right away."

Lewinsky wiggled her hips and left.

Link picked up the director's microphone and began to inspect the various tasks of the crew. After each shooting team had finished preparing, he signaled the script supervisor to set the clapperboard for filming.

After a busy day, around 6 p.m., Link returned to the hotel and met Ms. Diana in the living room.

She chatted with Charlize Theron on the sofa. Although Charlize was young, beautiful, and had a sexy and tall figure, she seemed like a naive and innocent girl in front of Diana.

Link and Diana had something to talk about, so Charlize and Lewinsky got up and went to the next room to watch TV.

After the two left, Link sat on the sofa, crossing his legs.

"Miss Diana, may I now tell you your purpose?"

Diana sat nervously across from me, wearing a plain t-shirt and jeans, her medium-length blonde curly hair loosely draped over her shoulders, and no other jewelry except for her earrings and watch.

Compared to the dignified and noble demeanor she displayed in London, she now resembled a down-to-earth young woman next door who had shed all her former glamour.

"Link, do you think I'm annoying?"

Diana blinked her long eyelashes as she looked at him, her hands placed in front of her lower abdomen, a hint of nervousness on her fair and delicate face.

Whether I dislike you or not depends on your explanation. If your explanation or the story you tell is good and satisfies me, I can forgive your nonsense. Otherwise, I won't.

Before Link could finish speaking, he saw the woman opposite him's eyes well up with tears, and a single tear slid down her cheek.

"do not Cry!"

Link waved his hand decisively and said, "I'm a director. I've seen many women cry in front of me. Some are on the verge of tears, some are sobbing softly, some are wailing, some are laughing while crying, and some can't cry but I scold them until they cry. I've seen too many of these scenes, which has made me numb to women's tears. Sometimes when I see women crying, I can't help but give them some pointers to make them cry more beautifully. Do you need some pointers?"

Phew!

Diana couldn't help but laugh out loud, "You speak so directly, don't your girlfriends mind?"

"Frankness is a virtue, so why should we mind?"

Link took a sip of his coffee. "Please be more direct. Don't cry or laugh. Just tell me why you're trying to spread rumors about me. If you say you're a huge fan of mine, that you've had a crush on me for a long time, and that you want to pursue me this way, I can accept that."

He made a joke. Diana's lips curled up slightly, then she suddenly sighed, holding her coffee cup, and said, "Okay, I admit that my purpose in visiting the set last time was to spread rumors about you."

"Why do this? I don't understand."

"Because you are a playboy, unmarried, and very famous, it's the perfect opportunity to spread rumors about you, and the negative impact on you afterwards won't be too great."

"So you're a female Zorro, using this method to uphold justice and fight for women?"

"certainly not!"

Hearing what he said was funny, Diana couldn't help but laugh again, then rolled her eyes at him angrily, "Can't you be serious when you talk? What I'm about to tell you is very serious, not funny at all, and I hope you'll take it seriously."

"Okay, go ahead!"

"You must have heard about me. Before my separation from my ex-husband, I was a beloved princess. After the separation, the media frequently reported on my affairs, saying that I changed boyfriends often and dated all sorts of men, like a slut. I say these rumors are all false. Do you believe me?"

"It doesn't matter. I read entertainment news mainly for the fun of it. I never worry about whether the content is true or false. That's too much of a waste of time and energy."

"It's fake! It's all fake."

Diana suddenly became agitated, “They deliberately use these news stories to damage my reputation and undermine my image in the public eye, especially after the divorce. Whenever I come into contact with men, the media will jump out and publish that I have a new boyfriend, several or even a dozen a month. My life is completely monitored by others, and I have no freedom at all. It was the same when I visited your film set last time.”

"So you initiated the rumors with me as a form of resistance against the masterminds behind the scenes?"

"Yes, since they say I'm a bad woman, then I'll have an affair with the world's most famous playboy and let the whole world know about it. Anyway, this isn't just my scandal."

"Why me? Just because I'm a playboy? Frame a playboy and it's considered doing a public service, so there's no need to feel guilty?"

Link frowned.

"No, it's not just that. It's also because you're very powerful. You're a world-class cultural figure, one of the richest men in the world, and you have a lot of power and status in the United States. Even if they wanted to deal with you, it wouldn't be easy for them. So, targeting you would have the least negative impact than targeting others."

"That sounds reasonable. In this matter, you successfully retaliated against those who were spying on you, saved the men who were accidentally injured, the media sold their newspapers, the public had enough of the drama, and no one was hurt except for me, the playboy. So I should forgive you?"

"Will you forgive me?"

Diana blinked and asked.

Looking at that friendly face, Link felt helpless. Although he was a playboy, he had never hurt anyone and was considered a saint among scumbags. But now, because of this reputation, he was being used as a tool and had to take the blame in the end.

This makes no sense.

But what can he do if he doesn't forgive her? This woman is Diana, a woman who is no less famous than himself. He can neither hit her nor scold her, nor can he be too rough with her.

Otherwise, if she goes to the media and talks nonsense, angering her fans, her film might be boycotted in the UK.

"Okay, that's the end of it. I won't hold you responsible."

“Link, thank you! I’ve heard people say before that you are broad-minded, gentle and refined, a true gentleman and a good man, and now I’m sure of it.”

Diana laughed happily.

Link shook his head, refusing the compliment, because it would make him seem like an honest person who could be easily fooled.

“Diana, now that we’ve talked things out, when are you going back to London? You’ve been here too long, and the media is more likely to find you.”

Link wanted to get rid of this trouble as soon as possible.

Diana blinked. "Link, could you do me another favor? It's a very small thing, and it won't affect you much."

"what?"

"Can you be my boyfriend? I mean my rumored boyfriend, my nominal boyfriend."

Diana said hesitantly.

"Are you kidding me?!"

He thought about it a lot, but he never expected that Diana's request would be this.

No! I'm very serious.

Diana blinked her wet eyelashes and said with an unusually serious expression, "Now many people know about our scandal and regard you as my rumored boyfriend. In this way, those people behind the scenes will no longer have the opportunity to hype up my scandals with other men, nor will it affect their families and reputations. My children will also not have to be ridiculed by those scandals and can grow up happily."

Diana started crying again as she spoke.

Link frowned and remained silent. He had dozens of girlfriends, so having one more wouldn't be a big problem. However, Diana's identity was special, and becoming lovers with her would bring no benefits and would only cause a lot of unnecessary trouble afterward.

“Link, I know this request is excessive, but I don’t know what to do. I can’t do anything right now. Whatever I do will be over-interpreted and become a scandal. I have no other choice. If you don’t agree, I can understand. I will go back to London tomorrow and will not bother your work anymore.”

Diana wiped away her tears, her voice choked with emotion.

Link remained silent, continuing to stare at the pitiful yet captivating woman opposite him. After she had sobbed for a while, he spoke.

"I can agree to be your boyfriend, but my requirement is a real boyfriend, not just a boyfriend in name only. After you become my girlfriend, you need to come and live with me in the United States. If you agree, come sit here; if you don't agree, you can leave."

"You...you agreed?"

Diana looked up in surprise when she heard his words.

"I'm talking about the kind of relationship that actually happens."

"This"

Even Diana, a woman in her thirties, blushed and hesitated. "But I'm eleven years older than you."

"I do not mind."

Among his girlfriends, Brigitte Lin is currently the oldest, 18 years older than him, Michelle Pfeiffer is 14 years older than him, and there are several others who are more than ten years older than him, but he doesn't care about that.

"But...you have so many girlfriends."

"I don't care about your age, so you don't need to worry about whether I'm a jerk or not. If I weren't a jerk, you wouldn't be asking me for help."

Before she could say anything more, Link said, "It's up to you whether you agree or not, but I have limited time. I hope you can give me an answer within half an hour."

Diana pursed her lower lip and looked at him helplessly. Originally, she had only come to Link for help, but she did not expect Link to turn the tables and ask her to be his real girlfriend.

Although she had a good impression of Link—he was young and wealthy, spoke elegantly, had a good personality, was handsome, tall and upright, and was a great date—she found him appealing.

They had only met twice before becoming boyfriend and girlfriend. This was too fast. She couldn't adapt to the role of Link's girlfriend, nor could she convince herself otherwise.

But if she doesn't agree, without the protection of a powerful man like Link, she will find it difficult to gain true freedom, and her future will be bleak.

what can we do about it?

(End of this chapter)