Hollywood Director 1992

[Chapter 123: Conflict]

"Link, doesn't it feel like Martin talks too much?"

After Martin Scorsese had left, Sofia handed Link a glass of champagne.

"It's alright. After I became famous, a lot of people in the film industry started to criticize me, some even went so far as to call for my ban. It's rare to find someone like Scorsese, who approaches me with goodwill. So no matter how much he talks, I won't get annoyed," Link reflected.

"Sounds about right. Hearing you say that, I realize Martin can be quite charming. Next time he lectures me with his life lessons, I think I'll be nicer to him," Sofia joked with a smile.

...

Just then, Link and Sofia noticed Monica walking over with an unhappy expression, seemingly in a dispute with Richard Gere.

"Hey, what happened?" Link asked as he took her hand.

"Richard Gere asked me to dance, and I didn't agree. He kept pushing, and Dustin Hoffman told me I'd get a movie role just for dancing with him. I told them I wasn't interested and wouldn't dance with a rude man," Monica explained.

"You handled that well," Link said, wrapping an arm around her back while looking towards Richard Gere and Dustin Hoffman.

Richard pointed at Monica and exchanged words with Dustin, and they both burst into laughter.

"Richard looks like a gentleman, but I didn't know he was like this behind closed doors," Sofia remarked.

...

Link smirked coldly. While Richard's on-screen image was decent, he had a terrible reputation in the media for meddling in others' marriages and for some political controversies.

Earlier this January, a major tragedy struck the international fashion scene when the model Bettina Louise Lutz passed away at the age of 41 from AIDS, making her the first renowned woman to openly declare her diagnosis.

Bettina was of Japanese descent; her father served in the U.S. military in Japan, and her mother was Japanese. In 1972, she married the prominent British entrepreneur Michael Chow.

In 1989, Richard's meddling led to their marriage falling apart, and they divorced by the end of that year. Last year, Richard married supermodel Cindy Crawford, and this year Bettina passed away.

Given Bettina's high profile in the fashion world, there were rumors swirling about her relationship with Richard earlier this year. Reports even emerged that Richard quietly went to the hospital for tests after Bettina announced her illness.

Richard had faced backlash for forcefully kissing Bollywood actress Shilpa Shetty during an AIDS awareness event in India, leading to protests and even legal action against him.

He was just a man with a polished image but a dirty inside.

...

"Mr. Gere, I hear you invited my girlfriend to dance?" Link said as he approached Richard with Monica by his side.

"That's right. I invited her. I'm a great dancer -- she should come try it out," Richard replied, flashing his signature smile that often fooled people into thinking he was charming.

"I dance pretty well too. Should I ask your mom to come and give it a shot?" Link replied politely.

"What?!"

At Link's words, Dustin Hoffman and the others stood frozen. The five-foot radius around Link suddenly fell quiet, as if someone had pressed the pause button.

"Damn, what did you just say?" Richard's expression darkened instantly, his previously handsome features contorting.

"I'm serious. My dancing skills are solid. If you don't believe me, let's have your dear mother try. I promise she'll have a great time," Link shot back.

"Fuck! You're asking for it!" Richard, unable to contain his rage, threw a punch at Link's face.

"Link, watch out!" Monica and Sofia shouted urgently.

Link smiled nonchalantly. As Richard's punch came toward him, Link took two steps back. Once Richard rushed at him, he quickly sidestepped, but as he dodged, his right foot caught Richard's ankle.

Richard lost his balance and fell onto a table stacked with champagne glasses. The five-tier tower of glasses shattered as dozens of cups clattered to the ground, splashing champagne everywhere and turning Richard into a dripping mess.

"Wow!"

The crowd gasped in surprise, and partygoers turned their heads to watch.

"What happened? Did Richard just fall on his own?" Nicolas Cage inquired, his brow furrowed.

Link had merely stumbled Richard; he hadn't wanted to be seen making a move, leading everyone to believe Richard had simply lost his footing.

"Richard Gere was drunk and fell over -- this has nothing to do with me," Link shrugged.

People exchanged glances, recalling how Richard had tried to throw a punch at Link but ended up taking a nosedive instead. Before Richard fell, Link had done nothing but dodge.

"Link, you are really great!" Sofia said excitedly. 

*****

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