**Chapter 378: Hollywood Tycoon**

**Legends Never Die**  
**When the World Is Calling You**

The bar at 1717 Broadway, filled with flickering lights and lively energy, had Link lounging on the middle sofa with his legs crossed. A glass of pure water sat on the table before him, while Dino and Mario screamed into a microphone on a nearby stage.  

Although they hit the right lyrics, they were completely off-key, and their passionate performance—complete with hip-shaking—resembled the chaotic cries of wild creatures more than a song. Link rubbed his forehead, regretting accepting their invitation.

After training earlier, Dino had eagerly asked if Link wanted to hit a bar. With his afternoon free, Link figured he could spend some time socializing, noting that since becoming famous and wealthy, he had been drifting away from his old circles, which wasn't a good sign.  
 
Considering this, he followed Dino and the others to this smoky, noisy place. Once there, Dino called over four scantily clad dancers, saying they’d take good care of him.  
 
Link declined, mindful of the tactics people like Epstein and Puff Daddy had used against him, where women were sent to trap him into extortion or blackmail. Since then, he hadn't let unknown women get close to him. Dino and Mario teased him for a bit but didn’t push further, and then they, along with a few other boxers, started drinking, singing, and dancing, launching into a wild night.  
 
Link, however, remained on the sofa with his water, finding a rare inner calm amid the noisy environment. After months of concert tours, media appearances, training, and other work, he hadn’t had the chance to enjoy such peace in a long time. It felt nice.

“Link! Want to come up and sing a song?” Mario shouted into the microphone.  
 
Link waved him off. After singing dozens of songs hundreds of times over the past two months, even someone who loved music would feel a bit burned out. He didn’t even feel like picking up a microphone now.

“Don’t bother him. Link’s current rate is a million dollars per song; he won’t sing so easily here,” Dino teased.  

“If I had known singing was so lucrative, I would’ve taken up music back then,” Mario said, his face full of regret. Link chuckled.

**Ring ring!**  
The phone on the table rang twice and then stopped. Link picked it up and saw it was from Jennifer Lawrence. Unsure whether she needed something or had dialed him by mistake, he was about to call back when a text from Jennifer came in, asking if he was busy—she was in New York for a movie audition.  
 
Link replied that he wasn’t busy and sent her the bar’s address, asking if she wanted to join him. Jennifer responded that she was also in the Broadway area and would be there in ten minutes.  
 
Less than ten minutes later, Jennifer Lawrence appeared in the bar’s private room. She wore a camel-colored spaghetti strap dress with sneakers, her golden hair draping over her shoulders. Her shoulders were still a bit chubby, her cheeks slightly plump and rosy, her chest full, and her hips perky. Though her looks weren’t particularly delicate, and her figure not overly sexy, she was still considered above average in Hollywood. Sometimes, when she didn’t pay much attention to her appearance, she could even slip to the level of a “village beauty.”

However, her charm lay in this natural, unpretentious quality. Unlike the polished “vases” around her, she was more like a piece of pottery.

“What movie audition did you come for?” Link asked, pouring her a glass of white wine.

**“Silver Linings Playbook,” David O. Russell’s new movie. You’ve worked with him before,”** Jennifer replied.  
 
Link nodded. He remembered the film, a story about a man and a woman from troubled backgrounds finding redemption in love, similar in theme to “Rust and Bone.”  
 
Jennifer eventually became the first Oscar-winning actress born in the 1990s for this movie, also the second youngest Best Actress in Oscar history—a very good film.

Because of this, Link had told Russell during “The Fighter” premiere that if he ever had a new movie, he should keep him in mind for a role or as an investor. Russell had nodded repeatedly at the time.

But now that the casting process was underway, Russell hadn’t contacted him at all.

**“How did the audition go?”**

**“It started off well. Russell seemed very pleased with my performance, but not long after, the production team called to tell me I didn’t get the part. When I called Russell to ask about it, he said it was Harvey Weinstein’s decision—he’s the film’s executive producer.”**

**“Harvey?”**

**“Yes. Before I joined Palm Beach Agency, Weinstein’s people approached me, saying they had a role that would suit me. After I passed the audition, Harvey sent me a hotel room number, asking me to come over to discuss the role. I refused and ended up angering him, which is why he interfered with my audition again.”** Jennifer explained.  
 
Link frowned as he listened. 

In the entertainment industry, the casting couch was common, dating back to the dawn of the film industry. It wasn’t unusual for film executives to demand favors from actors in exchange for roles.

In fact, in Hollywood’s major studios, it was almost expected that producers with power and resources would have “stories” involving actresses or actors.

Almost every Hollywood actor or actress with any measure of attractiveness has encountered this.

Since the turn of the millennium, however, with the rise of the feminist movement, the cost of engaging in such behavior has increased. And because Hollywood’s filmmaking process has become more regulated, from project approval to casting, filming, and promotion, everything follows a set process with everyone doing their job.  

The top executives and producers at the major studios are just employees themselves; their job is to make money for the shareholders. If they don’t, they’ll be replaced, meaning their power has been significantly reduced. They can no longer do as they please, giving roles to whomever they fancy.  

Moreover, unions within the film industry are monitoring and opposing such practices, protecting the rights of actors. This has led to a decline in media reports about the casting couch, with the behavior becoming more concealed and the methods more “civilized.”

But it hasn’t disappeared entirely.  

Currently, the casting couch is most prevalent in independent production companies.

Independent production companies, in contrast to major studios like Warner Bros., Disney, Paramount, 20th Century Fox, and Sony, are smaller and operate under different models. They focus on unique creative approaches and more freedom in film production and distribution, often choosing to collaborate with talented filmmakers rather than relying on major studio professionals.

They have more creative control and don’t prioritize box office performance, audience appeal, or financial returns, as these companies’ CEOs are often the majority shareholders, like Link with Palm Beach Pictures.

Simply put, independent films prioritize artistic expression and innovation.  

This independence gives the heads of independent production companies significant power.

For instance, with a Palm Beach Pictures film, Link could decide entirely who directs and who stars, creating fertile ground for the casting couch.

Currently, Weinstein Company is considered the leader in the independent production field, with founder Harvey Weinstein wielding considerable influence in the film industry due to his strong production and distribution capabilities.

Because of this, he’s been dubbed the savior of modern cinema, the “Oscar whisperer,” and a key figure in securing Oscar wins.

At past Academy Awards, “Harvey” was one of the top names thanked alongside “God” in acceptance speeches.

He’s worked with countless actors and directors, including Gwyneth Paltrow, Nicole Kidman, Renée Zellweger, Russell Crowe, Ben Affleck, Matt Damon, Quentin Tarantino, Steven Soderbergh, Kate Winslet, Cate Blanchett, Meryl Streep, Angelina Jolie, and more—virtually a who’s who of Hollywood royalty.

Weinstein’s company has produced many classics, including **“Pulp Fiction,” “Good Will Hunting,” “The English Patient,” “Gangs of New York,” “The Departed,” “Chicago,” “Kill Bill,” “Shakespeare in Love,” “The Lord of the Rings,” “Sex, Lies, and Videotape,” “Cold Mountain,”** and **“Cinema Paradiso.”** These films are influential worldwide.

Many actors and films owe their Oscar wins to Harvey’s work.

On The Hollywood Reporter’s list of the 100 most powerful people in Hollywood, Harvey was ranked as the most powerful for eight years, regularly placing in the top ten.

In addition to this, he’s a key figure in Hollywood’s connection to the Democratic Party, closely associated with the Clintons. The current president’s eldest daughter even interned at Weinstein’s company.

---

He was also a member of the "squid clan," with strong connections and resources in the media industry.

This allowed Harvey to dominate Hollywood with an iron fist.

Since the 1990s, he had been accused multiple times of sexual assault and harassment, but due to his strong connections in the media and judicial systems, he remained unscathed.

Link had read similar reports before. Harvey Weinstein liked to invite actresses or models to his room to discuss work, then ask them to provide intimate services, hinting that accepting would lead to important roles, while refusal would mean no opportunities.

This was Harvey’s way of using the unspoken rules of the industry. Even if it was exposed, he could claim that the other party was willing, rather than being coerced, which made judicial investigations very difficult.

Link didn't expect to hear Jennifer Lawrence talk about this personally.

Nor did he expect Jennifer to reject Harvey.

After Harvey's downfall, Meryl Streep, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Jennifer Lawrence were considered representatives of "Harvey's Girls," nicknamed the "Big, Medium, and Small Harvey Queens."

All three relied on Harvey’s operations to win Oscars when they weren't supposed to.

For example, after winning the award, Gwyneth Paltrow was called the "Water Queen." Meryl and Jennifer, although deserving of the award, didn't win it through normal channels, which led to much controversy afterward.

Jennifer was also believed to have become famous thanks to Harvey, but now she was rejecting him, which was interesting.

Link thought it might be his appearance that gave her a better choice.

Compared to Harvey, although he didn’t have as much power in the film industry, he was young, handsome, wealthy, had a good character, and was in the prime of his career. He had more potential and was more reliable than Harvey.

The fact that Jennifer could make such a choice in the face of Harvey’s offer showed she was a smart girl.

Link then remembered another incident.

Not long ago, when he was under attack by millions of netizens, his PR team contacted several media outlets to heavily publicize Harvey's sexual harassment case to divert public attention.

Initially, this case only took up a small column in The New York Times, mentioning that Harvey had settled out of court in a sexual harassment case with a female subordinate, which didn’t attract much attention.

After Link used it as a shield, the news was magnified dozens of times, attracting a lot of attention.

It was said that Harvey spent over a million dollars to settle the issue.

Given Harvey's connections in the media industry and his decades of experience in the entertainment circle, he would have figured out that Link Music Company used him as a scapegoat.

Would Harvey hold a grudge against him for this and take it out on the artists under Palm Bay Agency, causing Jennifer to lose roles?

Link thought it was possible.

——

Ring! Ring!

As they were talking, Jennifer Lawrence's phone rang. She glanced at it, her face changing slightly, and whispered that it was "Harvey Weinstein," asking if she should answer it.

Link gestured to Dino and Mario to lower their voices.

He asked Jennifer if she could put the phone on speaker so they could all listen to what Harvey had to say.

Jennifer nodded, answered the call, and turned on the speaker, saying, "Hello, Mr. Weinstein."

"Jennifer, it's noisy there."

"Yes, Mr. Weinstein, I'm at a bar. Is there something you need?"

"Director Russell told me your acting is excellent, perfect for the role of Tiffany. Bradley Cooper also told me you're the best choice. They both want to work with you, but! I told them, this is my movie, and I decide who gets to act, who doesn't. Everything is up to me!"

"..."

"Jennifer, are you listening?!"

Weinstein's voice grew rougher, like a chimney belching smoke and fire.

Link hugged Jennifer and whispered in her ear to casually chat with Harvey.

"Mr. Weinstein, I’ve heard from Director Russell that you make all the decisions, including the casting."

"Yes, this is my movie, so I make the decisions. Jennifer, I know you're an excellent actress, the only one of the new generation I recognize. I believe you have a great chance of winning an Oscar, but you need to be smarter."

In the call, Weinstein spoke in a condescending tone.

"Mr. Weinstein, how can I win an Oscar?"

"Haha, that's a good question, Jennifer. I heard you switched from IMG to Palm Bay Agency; that was an incredibly foolish decision.

Link Baker is just a playboy who knows nothing, has no connections. He only started a film company in Hollywood to pick up girls; he can't help you at all.

I bet his Palm Beach Pictures won't last three years in Hollywood. After three years, he'll leave Hollywood with tens of millions or even billions of dollars in debt."

"Really? I heard that Palm Beach Pictures' 'Easy A' currently has over $70 million in North American box office and $160 million globally, with a production cost of only $8 million. Palm Beach Pictures should make at least $40 million from this project."

"Hmph! That's just dumb luck, stumbling upon a big hit. He can't always be that lucky; no one in Hollywood can. His next movie is sure to bomb, I guarantee it. Wait and see."

"Is that so? I’m new, so I don't really understand these things."

Jennifer glanced at Link, who smiled nonchalantly.

"I also heard he wants to win the Oscar for Best Actor? Haha, that's ridiculous. A singer, boxer, with his lousy acting, and he thinks he can win an Oscar? That's the biggest joke I've ever heard. The Academy would have to be insane to give him an Oscar. I guarantee, someone like him will never win an Oscar."

Link's face darkened as he listened. Though Harvey was right that as a singer and boxer, it was hard to be recognized by the Academy, he couldn't accept Harvey calling his acting bad.

What does Harvey, a movie distributor, know about acting?

Jennifer winked at him, asking if they should keep listening.

Link nodded with a grim expression.

On the phone, Harvey called him a scumbag, a playboy who knows nothing about movies, someone who loves hype but is hollow inside.

He also said Jennifer's move to his agency was a terrible, foolish decision that could ruin her career and cost her the Oscar for Best Actress.

"Would you regret it if you couldn't win an Oscar?"

Link gently asked the girl he was holding.

"I don't know if I'll win, but being with you feels great."

Jennifer shrugged.

"Jennifer, I'm giving you one last chance: leave Link Baker, and I'll give you the role of Tiffany and help you win the Oscar. I have the power to do that, but if you choose to stay with Link, well, that's unfortunate..."

"Unfortunate how?"

Link picked up the phone and laughed. "Mr. Harvey Weinstein, you really talk big, like a lion. But I've heard from several women you've assaulted that you don't have balls and need injections to become a man. I'm curious, how does someone who's not even a real man dare to challenge me? Do you think you're worthy?"

"Link Baker?!"

Harvey Weinstein's voice on the phone was a mix of shock and rage.

"It's me, Mr. Weinstein. I don't know why you're so hostile towards me, but I don't care because, honestly, I don't like you either."

"Link Baker!!"

Harvey Weinstein spat out through gritted teeth. "You dare say I'm not a man? I swear you'll pay for what you just said, you will."

"Is that so? Harvey Weinstein, a media friend recently gave me a file documenting how, since the 1980s, you've assaulted or harassed dozens of women under the guise of work, with testimony from over ten victims. What do you think will happen if I expose this?"

"Ridiculous! You think I'd believe that?"

"Julia Ormond, Ashley Judd, Rose McGowan... Do I need to name more?"

Link sneered.

"... They were all willing. I don't believe you have their testimony."

"Whether you believe it or not is none of my business. I'm not Jesus."

Link hung up without hesitation.

"Link, did Harvey really assault dozens of women?"

Jennifer asked in shock.

"More than that."

"That's horrible. How can someone be so evil?"

Jennifer frowned, her rosy cheeks showing disgust.

Ring! Ring!

The phone rang again. Jennifer looked at Link, about to hang up, but Link gestured for her to answer.

"Good afternoon, Mr. Weinstein. What do you need?"

"Link, why are you investigating me? What do you want?"

"I got it by chance and kept it as a curiosity. I don’t want anything."

"Give me the file, and I'll help you win an Oscar. You should know that with your situation, the Academy voters won't give you their votes. Only I can help you win an Oscar."

"No need. I'm an Olympic champion, world boxing champion, global superstar, billionaire. An Oscar statuette means nothing. Do you think I care about the Oscar? I publicly claimed I wanted an Oscar just to give the media something to tease me about. Did everyone take that seriously?"

Link laughed as he hugged Jennifer.

"... What do you want? Link, I know you well. I've known about you for a long time. We're the same; we both love beautiful women. We can work something out."

"I heard from Jennifer that 'Silver Linings Playbook' is a good movie. I want it. Hand over the script and let Palm Beach Pictures invest in the project."

"What? You want that movie?"

"That's right! That's the price for harassing my girlfriend."

"I didn't harass her

"That's right! This is the price you pay for harassing my girlfriend."

"I didn't harass her, okay? Link, Weinstein Company has invested over thirty million in this project. How much are you willing to pay to buy the whole thing?"

"I only want the adaptation rights, market price is thirty thousand dollars."

"Thirty thousand?! Damn it, are you joking? A thirty-million-dollar project, and you only offer thirty thousand? Do you think you can blackmail me just because you have that stuff? Link, you're too young. With my connections, I bet even if you expose all the evidence, it won't do anything to me."

"Really? I made over a hundred million dollars in prize money this year and don’t know where to spend it. How about we bet a hundred million dollars and see whether your connections are stronger or my money is bigger?"

Link said.

Harvey Weinstein was a Hollywood mogul, a top-tier film producer, but still just a billionaire.

After a fallout with Walt Disney Studios in 2005, he and his brother Bob Weinstein left Miramax Films and founded The Weinstein Company.

Without Disney’s backing, The Weinstein Company struggled with resources and funding. Additionally, several films they invested in last year performed below expectations at the box office, leaving the company short on cash.

According to *The Hollywood Reporter*, to finance new film projects like *The King’s Speech*, *Piranha 3D*, and *Sparkle America*, The Weinstein Company had to mortgage the rights to 200 films last year to borrow $200 million from asset management and insurance companies.

Link knew the other party was strapped for cash, so he pretended to be young and reckless, flaunting his wealth to see if the other side dared to take the risk.

"Link, you're an outstanding young man, and I admire you. Also, we both like beautiful women—something we have in common. I think we have a chance to be friends rather than enemies. You mentioned you like *Silver Linings Playbook*?
Ha ha, what a coincidence—I like that movie too. How about we work together on it? The production budget is 40 million dollars, and we each invest 20 million, split the profits 50-50. We're all friends here, making money together—what do you say?
And for the female lead, Jennifer Lawrence is perfect. As long as you agree, I’ll arrange for her to join the cast immediately."

Harvey Weinstein said with a hearty laugh.

Jennifer Lawrence looked at him in surprise.

Link smirked and laughed, "Harvey, you're right. We're all friends, and it benefits us both to cooperate rather than compete. I understand that. But I'm young and don’t know much about making movies. I’m also clueless about film distribution.

I’ve heard that many billionaires who don’t understand the movie business come to Hollywood with a checkbook and end up getting scammed by film companies through fake accounting, inflated budgets, and ticket theft. Harvey, you’re a top producer and a Hollywood mogul. If I work with you, will you cheat me?"

"Uh, ha ha, Link, you’re such a joker. We’re friends—how could I cheat you? It’s absolutely impossible. How about we meet and discuss this in person?"

Harvey laughed.

Link thought for a moment and agreed.

He had considered taking Harvey down now and making Palm Beach Pictures the leader in Hollywood independent production, but it would be too difficult.

First, with the Democrats in power, Harvey had a political advantage. Even if Link managed to gather evidence of Harvey's crimes, there was no guarantee he could put him behind bars.

That’s a lack of timing.

Secondly, Harvey had been entrenched in Hollywood for over thirty years, with extensive connections to the Big Seven studios, the largest talent agency CAA, and even state officials in California and New York.

For a newcomer crossing industries like Link, taking down someone like Harvey in a short time was almost impossible. That’s a lack of geographical advantage.

Thirdly, there was a lack of human resources.

Many top and second-tier actors in Hollywood had worked with Harvey, and the stars and directors he helped create still formed the backbone of the American film industry. If Link openly challenged Harvey, he risked being ostracized by the entire industry.

Moreover, Harvey held immense power in Hollywood. Those who had been victimized were too afraid to stand up against him publicly, so a few accusations wouldn’t harm him much.

Considering these three points, Link believed that now wasn’t the right time to break off with Harvey, but working with him wasn’t a good option either.

Rumor had it that Harvey and his brother Bob were both ruthless—one was brutal and lecherous, the other sinister and greedy. Working with them was like bargaining with a tiger.

"Link, are you really going to co-produce this film with Harvey?"

Jennifer asked.

Link nodded. *Silver Linings Playbook* was a high-quality film, and Jennifer's role in it would earn her an Oscar nomination. It would be a shame to miss out on it. As for getting scammed by Harvey, that was almost certain.

But dealing with someone as formidable as Harvey required direct confrontation and countering each move to seize the opportunity.

*Ring! Ring!*

Three minutes after Link ended his call with Harvey, director David O. Russell called to inform Jennifer that she had passed her audition.

"Link, should I take this role? Harvey seems really scary."

Jennifer hesitated, holding her phone.

"Don’t worry. As long as I’m here, no one can hurt you."

Link patted her on the back.

Jennifer looked up at him, smiled slightly, hooked her arms around his neck, and kissed him.

*What would I do without your smart mouth
Drawing me in, and you kicking me out
Got my head spinning, no kidding, I can't pin you down*

On stage, Dino sang into the microphone while Mario nudged him, pointing at Link and mimicking a kissing gesture with his lips. Dino found Mario's thick lips somewhat gross.

"Link is such a player, all his girlfriends are big stars."

Mario looked at the kissing couple with envy.

"That’s a skill you can’t envy."

"If I knew, I would’ve invested in stocks too. If I had a hundred million dollars, I could date movie stars."

Mario grabbed the microphone and shouted loudly,

*Legends never die
When the world is calling you*