[Chapter 488: Living in Constant Fear]
Through reports by American media and other channels, major assassin organizations around the world had successively received news about the 'Link Assassination Incident.' These groups were shocked by the outcome of the attempt.
It was learned that 21 professional assassins participated in the attack, including two top-tier killers, eight elite assassins, and more than ten ordinary hitmen. Such a lineup could've likely succeeded even in trying to take out a president.
However, they suffered heavy losses in their attempt on Link. Eighteen professional assassins were either killed or captured, and only three sensed something was wrong and withdrew early to save their lives. Although there were many professional assassins in the underground world, losing over ten at once dealt a significant blow to the industry.
At the same time, the assassin groups and the outside world witnessed Link's courage and Blackwater Company's power, which instilled a sense of fear. To prevent further losses, many assassin organizations announced they would abandon this mission and would no longer list Link as a target. Some suspended operations, instructing the hitmen in Los Angeles to lie low and avoid acting rashly.
...
Upon receiving the news, Harvey instantly became terrified and restless, unable to find peace. "Jeffrey, I heard Link's people caught many assassins. Could those assassins know about our information and report it to Link?" Harvey grasped Epstein's arm tightly as if clutching a lifeline at the club.
"Harvey, why are you like this?" Epstein looked at Harvey in surprise. It wasn't because Harvey looked pathetic, but because his state shocked him. Not seeing him for two weeks, Harvey's hair was nearly gone, his complexion was sallow, and the skin under his eyes and on his cheeks sagged, making him look over a decade older.
"Jeffrey, those assassins were caught -- aren't you worried?" Harvey asked anxiously.
"Why worry? I told you, we have no direct contact with assassin groups. They don't know our identities. Even if they found out it's us, it doesn't matter. As long as we don't admit it, Link can't touch us. Don't forget, this is our territory. We have strong backing. Link alone can't do anything to us," Epstein said, brushing off Harvey's concerns.
Previously, Harvey was decisive and ruthless, willing to send assassins after Link, making him look formidable. But now, this change was disappointing. Harvey still wasn't at ease. "Last time you said you were being followed. Could it be Link's people? Could they have found something on you? What are you going to do?"
"Not sure, and no need to worry. Just treat them like paparazzi. Do what needs to be done. Without proof, he can't touch me. Even if he finds something, so what? Leave it to the lawyers and see who has deeper connections in the legal world," Epstein said indifferently.
Hearing Epstein's bold words, Harvey's tension eased a bit. He started complaining about how sly Link was and how hard he was to kill. Even with many assassins armed with sniper rifles and rocket launchers, they didn't succeed. This man was extremely detestable.
"Link's performance this time was truly unexpected," Epstein said. Through news reports, he also heard that Link baited assassins by putting himself in danger, which was unbelievable. He couldn't understand why a young billionaire in entertainment dared to do this, risking his life and all that he had.
"They didn't kill him this time. The assassin groups will probably back off. What do we do?" Harvey asked.
Epstein shook his head. "There's nothing we can do. You can't outshoot him in movies, and sending people to kill Link won't work. Opponents of this caliber are beyond what we can handle now. Even if we continue trying, we can't kill him. Better wait a few years. Once Link's wealth shrinks or he suffers other failures, becoming a wounded giant, that'll be our chance."
"Wait a few years?" Harvey frowned bitterly. With Miramax's current condition, they couldn't even last a year. He might be bankrupt and back to being a poor nobody next year, the same old fat guy women despised. He really didn't want to wait.
"Jeffrey, can we invite Bill Gates, Warren Buffett, George Soros? They are rich and powerful, and also among our people. Hollywood is our people's territory and a place where we spread our superiority and tragic stories. Everyone has a responsibility to protect our interests," Harvey asked hopefully.
Epstein thought for a moment, then shook his head. "It's difficult. They're polished businessmen and capital giants who value their image -- one of their invisible assets. So they won't get involved with society's dark side. It isn't realistic to have them come after Link."
"I know they won't help with assassins, but could they maybe join forces to collapse Link's Glimmer Capital? If Glimmer Capital gets shorted, Link becomes a tiger without claws. Then, we can easily take him down," Harvey said, clenching his fists with excitement.
"That's hard. Glimmer Capital's shareholders include Microsoft and Berkshire Hathaway. Link is their partner. They won't just break ties easily. It's also a massive corporation worth over $20 billion. Even Gates and Buffett together can't bring it down, so forget it."
"Damn it - nothing works! Should we just watch Link take over our turf and the media battlefield?"
"Harvey, calm down. It's not all bleak. We still have a chance."
"A chance? Where? You guys only care about making money, but you can't even protect your own people's territory. It's like Germany fifty or sixty years ago, letting enemies run wild on our soil, seizing our wealth, and killing our people," Harvey suddenly stopped, sneering coldly. "I bet one day you'll regret this."
After saying that, Harvey stumbled away from the club. Epstein watched his retreating figure, his eye twitching.
---
The assassination attempt on Link at the cafe became a heated topic across America, fueled by media coverage. Los Angeles' safety came under scrutiny again, with citizens urging authorities to increase law enforcement and strictly control heavy weapons to create a safer, more harmonious living environment.
Moreover, the competition among Hollywood studios was openly discussed by the media. The Los Angeles Times noted that Guess Pictures' rise pressured other film companies, especially after Guess' successful acquisition of MGM.
While the North American box office showed growth from over $5 billion to more than $6 billion, the major six studios and smaller companies saw little increase in their ticket sales. There was ample evidence suggesting Guess-MGM controlled most box office revenue.
Mainstream opinion suggested that the assassination attempts on Link might be orchestrated by Hollywood executives trying to beat Guess-MGM and reclaim the market.
Magazines like Playboy and Entertainment Weekly hinted that the attempts could be linked to Link's many girlfriends. Since entering entertainment in '92, Link had numerous affairs with beautiful actresses, from the 50s generation to soon-to-be 80s stars. If any pretty actress existed, she likely had ties to him.
Some media joked that among the world's top 100 beautiful actresses, 80 had been involved with Link, and the rest were about to be. This showed how flirtatious Link was.
Additionally, his romantic entanglements sparked conflicts with Tom Cruise, Richard Gere, and Robert Downey Jr. Perhaps rivals jealous of his affairs hired assassins to deal with him.
Famous director Quentin Tarantino, in a recent interview on ABC, agreed with this theory. He claimed Link's romantic life was enviable and that all the beauties who approached him ended up attracted and willingly fell for him. Quentin admired Link's abilities even more than his filmmaking.
Quentin suggested Link should stop being so promiscuous and leave some charm to others, or else his enemies would multiply.
Some media speculated the matter could be political -- that some didn't want Link to continue supporting the Democrats, so they sent assassins after him.
After the assassination news broke, the discussions reached high volume, but since Link hadn't responded, the buzz never peaked.
...
"All interview requests are declined. We'll stay silent and not comment for now," Link said to Lily after reviewing files in his office.
Lily nodded, understanding. It wasn't convenient to respond publicly regarding the assassination, either about what happened or the reasons.
Though a victim, Link was a billionaire, a king in the film industry, and a capital titan. The public might think he did something wrong and was targeted fairly -- he likely wouldn't gain sympathy, perhaps even face schadenfreude.
The best way was to let the rumors die down early, pretending nothing happened. Then quietly deal with the mastermind behind the scenes. No need for such scandal to become public.
Hence, no interviews and continued silence made handling follow-up matters easier.
"But watch the media narrative to prevent slander or smear campaigns. They're masters at that," he warned.
Seven major media groups were backed by Jewish financial powers. Hollywood originally belonged to Jewish groups but was now shadowed by his influence. The Jewish factions might use media to quietly smear him, making him lose public support.
This included recent propaganda painting him as lustful, greedy, a market monopolist, profiting during the Asian financial crisis, and deeply involved in politics -- likely their schemes.
"I understand. You be careful too. Don't wander around unnecessarily. We'll go home together this afternoon."
"Okay!"
Link kissed the beautiful woman with peach blossom eyes passionately.
...
After Lily left, he continued working on the storyboard script for his new movie The Talented Mr. Ripley.
In the afternoon, his agent Sam Haskel came to the company to discuss work, accompanied by a young beauty for him to evaluate her potential.
*****
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