[Chapter 482: Assassination Attempt Exposed]
The first week release of Armageddon played in 3,014 theaters across North America, grossing $100.3 million, setting a new record for summer opening weekends, as well as marking a personal box office single-week record for director Link.
Although Armageddon leaned heavily on commercial elements and didn't quite reach the artistic heights of films like The English Patient, Saving Private Ryan, or The Sixth Sense, many film critics praised it as an exciting science fiction film. They highlighted its innovative camera work and special effects as valuable contributions worth learning from in the industry.
Forty-two media outlets rated the film over 85 points, averaging 88 points. Audiences were also satisfied, calling it the most "lavish" sci-fi blockbuster of the summer season.
The second highest grossing film this week was Fox's suspense thriller The X-Files: Conquer the Future. The story centered on FBI agent Dana Scully and her colleague investigating an alien virus, obstructed by a mysterious organization. Their investigation led them to uncover a conspiracy involving a government agency and even ties to Washington D.C. To save the world, the two protagonists fought to the death.
It was regarded as an interesting science fiction movie with a first-week box office of $34.17 million, a moderate success.
Third place went to the romantic comedy As Good as It Gets, co-produced by Guess Pictures and Columbia Pictures, which earned $19.74 million this week and has a cumulative three-week box office of $68.17 million.
Other films distributed by Guess Pictures-MGM that remained in the top 12 include The Waterboy, There's Something About Mary, Rush Hour 2, and the sci-fi movie Godzilla, co-produced with Columbia. Scanning the list, most films were associated with Guess Pictures, causing top Hollywood executives to ruefully admit that Link was dominating the market and making all the money this year.
---
Meanwhile, news broke of an assassination attempt on Link on the red carpet. This revelation was not leaked by Link's camp but was uncovered by several photojournalists who captured the trajectory of a bullet fired from a distance and bullet holes in a poster, discovered upon developing their photos.
Though no bullet was found at the crime scene, forensic experts determined it was likely an assassination attempt. A sniper in a nearby high-rise aimed at Link using a sniper rifle. Luckily, Link was fortunate to avoid being hit.
One journalist recalled that Link hurriedly left the red carpet after an interview, accelerating noticeably, which suggested he sensed the bullet's presence.
The story broke in the Los Angeles Times and caused a stir and widespread discussion throughout North America and worldwide.
Some condemned the extreme act, stating that no matter the grudges, it should never escalate to attempted murder.
Others speculated on who could want Link dead, with suspicions falling even on executives from the Hollywood Big Seven Studios.
Many praised Link's composure, noting that he did not panic or take cover but instead protected actress Liv Tyler and quickly exited without causing chaos, a display that earned respect.
Following the news, President Clinton expressed his concern and condemnation in an interview. He stated that the FBI and Los Angeles police had launched an investigation to capture the assailant and ensure Link's safety.
---
"Damn! That son of a bitch was way too lucky," Harvey muttered after reading the Los Angeles Times article, his face betraying his regret.
If the assassination had succeeded and Link had died on the red carpet, the Hollywood landscape would have shifted dramatically.
Resources concentrated under Guess Pictures-MGM would have been redistributed to other studios, breaking up the market share Guess Pictures had monopolized.
Miramax could have risen again, reclaiming its position as a major independent studio in Hollywood, along with the many beauties around Link.
But the bullet missed.
"Just a few centimeters off, too bad," Harvey sighed, then picked up the phone to call Epstein, inquiring about the next strike, hoping it would come soon. He did not want to see or hear about Link anymore.
Epstein urged calm and warned against discussing the matter on the phone to avoid being listened in on.
Changing tactics, Harvey asked why the order he paid so much for had not arrived, pressing for quicker delivery.
Epstein told him to wait a little longer. The target and media had caught on, and law enforcement was involved, so it was too risky to act now, no matter how reckless the delivery men were.
Harvey pressed for a timeline.
Epstein replied it was unknown but he would contact the intermediary.
...
Half an hour later, Epstein called back, reporting trouble. Both hitmen from the assassination attempt had been captured by Link's people, possibly already interrogated to obtain information.
Moreover, Link's team had announced a $1 million bounty to uncover the employer's identity. The intermediary warned that although the hitman group was generally trustworthy, they might betray their employer for money, so caution was advised.
Harvey's face twitched with fear and sweat.
"Jeffrey, are we exposed? Could Link already know we hired the assassins?"
"Calm down, Harvey! We have an intermediary. The hitmen don't know who the employer is or why they were hired, so we're safe."
Epstein was calmer than Harvey.
"Is the intermediary reliable? Could he betray us?"
"Don't worry, he's one of our own, currently outside the U.S. He's already returned to a safe place where no one can find him."
"That's a relief," Harvey said, leaning on the sofa, realizing his shirt was drenched in sweat.
"But..."
"But what?"
Harvey felt his heart tighten again on hearing the word.
"The intermediary says Link's strong resistance caused heavy losses to the hitmen. If the group is to continue sending assassins, we'll have to pay more."
"How much more?"
"Five million dollars."
"Five million?!" Harvey's voice cracked in shock. "We gave them one million last time, and they failed. Now they want five million? Are they robbing us?"
Back around 1993, Harvey was at his career peak worth over $100 million.
In recent years, Miramax's performance declined into negative assets, and his total assets, including some properties and savings, shrank to about $10 to $20 million.
Five million was a huge sum for him.
"Harvey, you're right, they are extorting. If we don't pay, the hitmen might betray the intermediary to Link's side. If the intermediary's identity is exposed, our risks multiply. Besides, this is their final offer. For $5 million, they'll keep sending assassins until the target is eliminated."
"But five million..."
"Harvey, this affects your safety and mine. You only need to pay $2 million; I'll cover the rest."
"Alright, Jeffrey, thank you," Harvey agreed quickly, fearing Epstein might back down.
Yet just thinking of transferring $2 million, plus the previous $1 million, totaling $3 million - nearly a sixth of his assets - made him wince, knowing his net worth would shrink by almost half.
He seethed with hatred toward Link for not dying easily and forcing him to spend millions more.
...
"Harvey!"
Bob's voice came from outside the office.
"Come in!"
Harvey quickly opened his files and pretended to be busy.
"Harvey, did you see today's paper? Last Friday, Link was the target of an assassination attempt at the Armageddon premiere."
"I know. What does that have to do with us?"
"Harvey, look me in the eyes. Are you really sure it's unrelated?"
Bob squinted, staring at Harvey.
"Of course not. Why would you look at me like that? You suspect me? Ha! I have no grudge against Link, why would I want to kill him?"
Harvey lied calmly. Arranging the hit was his idea, but he feared Bob's objection, so he kept it secret.
"Good if it's not you. The police and FBI are investigating. If we're connected, that's trouble. Did you call Link to offer condolences and denounce such extremism?"
"Alright, I'll call. He's probably busy now," Harvey agreed. Bob's reminder made sense; after all, Harvey had collaborated multiple times with Link. Upon hearing of the attempted assassination, he had to reach out, both to comfort and deflect suspicion.
...
After Bob left, Harvey called Link but, as expected, the line was always busy. After six tries, Link's assistant Aishwarya Rai, an attractive Indian woman, answered.
"Hi Aishwarya, hearing your voice is a real pleasure," Harvey flattered, his voice light.
But Aishwarya was cold and polite, explaining Link was in a meeting and couldn't talk, asking if Harvey needed something.
Harvey expressed concern over Link's condition and condemned the incident, urging Link to stay safe and take care.
Aishwarya thanked him and said she'd relay the message, then asked if he had anything else.
Harvey said no.
She ended the call.
Harvey hung up, his face dark with growing resentment toward Link.
...
Before 1996, Link wasn't Hollywood royalty and would take his calls directly when needed.
But by '96, Link's status skyrocketed, becoming the dubbed "King of Hollywood." Since then, calls to Link always went unanswered, and matters had to be routed through his assistants.
When Monica Lewinsky was still around, communication was easier; but now, with Aishwarya, it was more difficult, and their conflicts intensified.
He blamed Link more for becoming enemies. Had Link not grown arrogant and created barriers in their communications after success, perhaps Harvey wouldn't have developed such hatred.
"Hmph!"
Glaring at Link's photo in the paper, Harvey gritted his teeth hard, hoping the assassins would act efficiently and take Link out soon.
*****
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