[Chapter 487: Are We Safe Now?]
"Are we... safe now?"
"Yes, we are safe!"
As the gunshots faded away and the car drove into the bustling city, Quentin pressed his face against the back window, looking out. Seeing no assassins in pursuit, he exhaled deeply and slumped weakly back into his seat.
"Want a drink?"
Link poured two glasses of red wine and pushed one over to him.
Quentin grabbed the glass with both hands and tilted his head back, downing it in one go. He choked a few times from drinking too fast, his rugged face flushing bright red.
"Slow down! We're safe now, you don't need to be so tense."
Link swirled his glass and sipped lightly.
"Not tense? We were almost killed, just a hair's breadth away -- a bullet zipped right past my head. I almost got my brains blown out. You tell me not to be tense?"
Quentin's words tumbled out in a jumble, his face showing uncontrollable panic and excitement -- classic signs of adrenaline overload.
"That was just a shard of glass, not a bullet."
"It was a bullet, a sniper's bullet. I saw it myself. That bullet zipped past less than half an inch from my head, almost taking my skull off. I can still smell the gunpowder."
Quentin touched the right side of his scalp, eyes distant, reliving the heart-stopping moment.
Link smiled and didn't argue. Compared to glass shards, a bullet grazing a scalp was far more thrilling and made for a better story. Quentin would probably tell this story at parties for the rest of his life, and Link didn't want to burst his bubble.
"Link, you really got me into trouble."
After a moment, Quentin said with a face full of resentment.
"Me? I pulled you out of that cafe!"
"Sure, you saved me, I won't deny that. But I'm also dragged into this because of you. If it weren't for you, how would we have gotten shot at while having coffee? Oh, and just now, a rocket launcher was involved -- it was insane! Is this really Los Angeles?"
Quentin nervously patted his chest and shifted away a bit. "Sitting next to you is too dangerous. One wrong move, and it's game over. Link, I've told you before, don't get involved in the movie business, but you wouldn't listen."
Quentin went on and on repeating himself, and Link yawned, signaling their driver to speed up.
Over ten minutes later, the car stopped in front of Quentin's apartment. Quentin didn't dare get out alone, and refused Link's accompaniment to avoid another assassin strike. Link had to have their security, Hank, escort Quentin inside.
...
Ring ring! His phone buzzed. Link flipped it open.
Wallace reported that the sting operation was a major success. Blackwater and the LAPD teamed up to kill 18 criminals and arrest 34 more, including 15 elite assassins.
This operation dealt a heavy blow to many assassin organizations' branches in the U.S.
Link was skeptical about the so-called "elite" assassins. Back when watching movies, those top killers could single-handedly mow down a whole street and still charm a woman on the side. But these so-called elites couldn't break his defenses even with dozens of them ganged up -- if he became a killer, he might just be king of them all.
He told Wallace to continue interrogations and find information about the employer behind this. Killing the assassins wasn't the main goal; they had to find the employer and eliminate the threat.
Wallace promised special interrogation methods would be used.
...
Hanging up, Link drove back to his hillside villa, instructing Bob and Hank to increase patrols around the estate.
Despite dozens of assassins and accomplices being killed, they were far from safe. There must be survivors watching nearby, ready to strike if they let their guard down.
...
"This guy's cautious!"
In a distant car, a scarred assassin lowered his binoculars, sighing helplessly.
He thought Link would relax and celebrate the victory recklessly after this incident, but Link only tightened security, giving no chance for an attack.
The scarred assassin called his agent, updating him about today's events in Los Angeles.
The agent told him to retreat -- Link was a ruthless man, best not to provoke him.
After ending the call, the scarred assassin started his car and left.
---
Shortly after the shooting on Hollywood Boulevard, media frenzy erupted.
Reporters quickly arrived on the scene, interviewing witnesses, passersby, and the LAPD to get details.
Within an hour, major U.S. news channels broke the story live.
ABC News reported that Hollywood mogul and the world's fourth richest man, Link, was again the target of a massive shooting on Hollywood Boulevard. Over a hundred people were involved in the attack using rocket launchers, sniper rifles, and semi-automatic rifles.
Link's security, aided by the LAPD, repelled all attackers within ten minutes. Authorities found six assailants dead at the scene and arrested more than fifty suspects. Only two bystanders had minor injuries.
FOX News gave a slightly different version, saying Link was meeting with director Quentin at an Italian cafe discussing a script when assassins rushed the scene. Protected by guards and police, Link and Quentin escaped unharmed. Police found eight attackers dead and arrested 52 suspects, now under investigation.
Turner Network News branded the assassination attempt and previous red carpet shootings as extensions of Hollywood's cutthroat competition, calling for healthy and orderly rivalries instead of violence.
Other stations and radio shows echoed the news from various angles.
...
After the reports, Link's phone became a hotline. Friends and partners called to confirm his safety.
Link answered some calls but then used text messages to say he was okay -- shaken but unharmed.
"It's too dangerous out there. Honey, you should stay home lately."
After watching the news, Michelle Pfeiffer hugged his arm, worry etched on her face.
"Stay with us at home for now. If you want to go out, you have to wait until the police catch the real culprit behind the scenes."
Lily, Monica Bellucci, Sandra Bullock, and others also urged him to be careful.
"If you want to pick up women, just bring them home. No need to go out. Or we can go out and help you," joked Sofia.
"Stop joking, and don't get nervous."
Link explained that this violent attack wasn't random but a planned operation.
...
According to Blackwater's intel, after the red carpet shooting, the employer raised the bounty on him to $1 million.
Many assassins came from around the world to Los Angeles to try and take him out.
After returning from Asia, Link felt more and more hostile eyes watching him.
To flush out these hidden threats, he spent $1 million, teaming up with LAPD and Blackwater, using himself as bait to eliminate violent offenders nearby.
The operation was successful, striking a heavy blow to many assassin groups.
This would scare others into giving up or acting more cautiously next time.
Additionally, capturing these assassins allows for bargaining for info on the employer.
If they succeed, the next step is targeting the employer to eliminate all threats.
Without assassins constantly aiming sniper rifles at him, Link could safely make his movies.
...
"That's pretty risky. Next time, get a stand-in. You don't have to go yourself."
Lily and Monica rested on him, feeling the solid security he gave.
"Got it. Once is enough."
Link kissed his girlfriends warmly.
Before nightfall, lights in the master bedroom of Villa 1 came on, and sounds of playful teasing floated out on the warm night air. Outside, the grass, greenery, and stars seemed energized by the flowing melodies throughout the night.
*****
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