[Chapter 447: Promoted to Dad]
The movie The Rock was in its fifth week of release, earning $15.24 million that week, with a total North American box office of $183 million.
The box office champion this week was the sci-fi comedy Men in Black, produced by Columbia Pictures, starring Tommy Lee Jones, Will Smith, and others. It opened in 3,020 theaters and grossed $91.56 million in its first week, with a production budget of $90 million.
Judging by its opening weekend, it was another blockbuster hit.
This week, Guess Pictures also released a film, the thriller The Devil's Advocate, starring Keanu Reeves, Al Pacino, and Charlize Theron. It opened in 2,147 theaters and earned $33.01 million in its first week, ranking second at the box office, performing reasonably well.
The film Liar Liar grossed $310,000 this week, officially surpassing $180 million at the North American box office.
Girl, Interrupted was in its 14th week, with a total North American gross of $38.86 million, having already recouped its costs.
Fight Club earned $1.71 million this week, with a North American total of $34.29 million, showing a slow upward trend.
Out of Sight earned $3.44 million this week, with a North American total of $23.13 million.
The film The Sino-Dutch War 1661 earned $250,000 this week, with a North American total of $38.43 million, and is expected to break $40 million by year-end, and this movie's worldwide gross has reached $131 million.
...
"Boss, look here. Just because our company's films haven't earned much at the box office these past two weeks, there's media reporting that our company's fighting power isn't strong this year, and we might be surpassed by the Big Seven Studios," said Aishwarya Rai, sitting beside him, pointing at a newspaper with a somewhat aggrieved tone.
Link smiled gently. After working as his assistant for over two months, Aishwarya gradually embraced her current role, thinking for the company and for him as the boss. This was a good change.
"Those media outlets want to stir things up, provoking rivalry between Guess Pictures and the Big Seven Studios, using such news to attract public attention and sell their news products. As the parties involved, we don't need to pay much attention; just watch the show."
"So you mean our company's films this year won't be worse than those from the Big Seven Studios?" Aishwarya blinked her large, characteristic eyes, filled with curiosity and doubt.
"Of course! So far, we have two films that have surpassed $180 million at the North American box office. None of the Big Seven Studios can match us. After July, we have several commercial blockbusters scheduled for release. This year's company performance won't be worse than last year's."
"Boss, are you saying our company will continue to top the industry's total box office this year?" Aishwarya asked excitedly.
"That's right, it's very likely. Even if Fox's Titanic sells $500-600 million in North America, Guess Pictures still has a chance to hold first place."
"That's awesome! Our company is amazing, and so are you, boss. No one in the world is more powerful than you," Aishwarya said happily, her blue-green eyes sparkling as she looked at him.
"You are amazing too."
"Really? Link, how am I amazing?" Aishwarya tilted her head with a bright smile.
"I'm just complimenting you."
The female assistant pursed her lips, smiling happily.
"By the way, boss, Harvey Weinstein just called, asking when you have time as he wants to talk to you in person. He also said he knows who was behind the shooting incident last July. If you're willing to meet him, he'll tell you everything. Do you want to see him?"
"Not for now. I'm too busy to handle these matters," Link said after thinking. He planned to send Sean Tangney to meet Harvey and see what his intentions were.
After a short break, Link needed to continue filming, and his assistant left the director's area, swaying her slender waist.
...
Two days later, Sean Tangney called to say that Harvey told him the masterminds behind the motorcycle assassin who targeted him were Michael Ovitz, Ron Meyer, and Barry Diller.
They're all Jewish. Hollywood is a Jewish stronghold, and Link's presence seriously threatened their dominance. Therefore, they conspired to eliminate Link.
Harvey said he was Jewish himself and thus knew about this.
Sean asked if he had evidence.
Harvey said no -- such matters left no evidence. He also said that as long as Guess Pictures continued to dominate Hollywood and Link remained the 'most powerful man in Hollywood', these men would find ways to get rid of him. Link must be cautious to avoid harm.
Harvey said he revealed this to ease tensions with Link.
Sean Tangney asked Link if he wanted to reopen the shooting case investigation.
Link told him to have people quietly investigate first -- to gather evidence before fighting back.
---
By July, Monica was about to give birth. Link paused his work to visit a private hospital in Seattle, witnessing the birth of his first daughter and son.
Since Monica had twins, Lily and Michelle Pfeiffer envied her, praising her for accomplishing what others would take two years to do in one go.
Media insiders got wind of the news and exposed it in newspapers, calling billionaire Link the father of heirs.
Link stayed with Monica at the villa for a few days, then returned to the film set.
...
Shortly after, news came from Paris that Sophie Marceau was also about to give birth. Link temporarily put aside work to visit her; she gave birth to a beautiful baby girl.
From July to September, Monica, Sophie Marceau, Michelle Pfeiffer, Lily, Sandra Bullock, Julianne Moore, and Emmanuelle Beart gave birth one after another. Link's personal affairs delayed his schedule for several weeks.
The originally planned August end completion of American Beauty was postponed to the end of September.
...
After finishing filming, Link had no time to rest. He continued editing movies in the company's studio and attended the screening of Saving Private Ryan.
The system rated Saving Private Ryan highly, with engagement at 68.5%, completion at 98.9%, and market correlation at 89%.
The final rewards were generous: 2.8x box office subsidy; director experience +20%; director stamina +15%; film quality upgrade +18%, better than the previous film, Primal Fear.
After receiving a 15% stamina boost, the slight fatigue Link felt vanished. His body and spirit were invigorated with incredible power.
Originally, Nicole Kidman, Naomi Watts, Cindy Crawford, and Cameron Diaz planned to surprise him after finishing work, but they underestimated his strength and were soundly defeated by him.
In the end, not a single one could lift a finger.
After visiting several girlfriends' homes, Link came to Seattle to stay with his girlfriends who just gave birth and with the six newborns, trying to fulfill his responsibilities as boyfriend and father, leaving no room for complaints from the kids.
---
"Honey, you've been filming for over half a year straight. After American Beauty, why not take a few weeks off? Overworking is bad for your health," said Lily in a loose nightgown, sitting on the sofa in their Seattle villa. The gown's loose fit accentuated her full bust, like ripe grapefruit, with a subtle milky scent.
Compared to before pregnancy, her figure was fuller, with smooth and delicate skin, feeling very soft, and emitting a peach-like fragrance.
"I'm planning to rest for a month and spend more time at home with you all. Compared to your struggles during pregnancy, my work is easy," Link said, holding her waist.
"Nonsense! How could filming be easy? Though I haven't directed, I've talked with Sofia and Jodie. They often express frustration during filming. They are eager to start a new project but get overwhelmed once filming begins. Your sets are big productions, so it's even more complex," Lily said, leaning against him with a smile.
Link chuckled, "Their complaints stem from lack of management and coordination experience. I've directed over ten films, three per year, managing each efficiently. It's quite easy for me."
"Yes, you're amazing, the best," she pounded his chest lightly with her fist.
Link smiled, kissed her cheek, and slid his hand under her nightgown, lost in the smooth softness unaware.
Suddenly, from the next small living room, children's cries echoed.
Lily instinctively sat up from his embrace, put on slippers, and headed to the small living room. Before she reached it, little Cici dashed over like a little rabbit.
"Cici, did you wake your sister?"
"No, I didn't. She woke up on her own. Lillian is such a crybaby, not well-behaved at all," said Cici, her big eyes flickering with slight frustration on her delicate face.
"I'll deal with you later," Lily poked her head and went next door to soothe the baby.
Though the family had a nanny and postpartum nurse, Lily liked to personally take care of the children when she was home.
*****
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