[Chapter 262: The Strategy of a Woman]
"What a bastard!"
Inside the villa, Nicole Kidman had a cold expression, with a hint of annoyance and embarrassment flickering in her blue eyes. She had just shown herself to be so brazen and humble over the phone, like a desperate woman, believing her charm would easily lure Link into her grasp. Instead, Link had completely brushed her off.
Frustration welled up within Nicole. The playboy was proving to be more difficult than the rumors suggested, not someone who would easily be seduced by a woman. She took up the phone to call Michael Ovitz, informing him that the plan had failed.
For the past two weeks, she had been chatting with Link daily, enticing him with her words and trying to arrange a meeting, all to no avail.
"He seems like a man with strong principles," Nicole said.
"Principles?" Michael scoffed derisively. "Link stirs up trouble between Robert Downey Jr. and Richard Gere, letting them fight it out while exploiting the resulting scandal to promote his films. A guy like that doesn't have any principles. Don't let him fool you, Nicole."
"Okay, but I've used every trick in the book and still can't get through to him. Maybe he's just not interested in me. How about you try someone else?" Nicole suggested.
"No, no, Nicole. You can't lose hope. You have to believe in your charm. As long as you keep at it, you'll get Link to bite," Michael urged.
Nicole rubbed her forehead. "Michael, does it have to be this way with Link? You're the president of CAA; surely there are better methods?"
Michael's expression turned grim, the veins on his forehead standing out. He had considered other approaches, but after Se7en's massive success, Link had become the darling of the industry. Those profit-hungry investment firms were eager to ride his coattails, offering no support to go after him.
He could not use his business acumen against Link and had to rely on alternative tactics, such as seduction. Back in June, he had persuaded Tom Cruise to agree to sacrifice Nicole to set a trap for Link. But after months of waiting and watching, Link hadn't even made a move on Nicole. An impatient Michael finally called Nicole, offering her plenty of resources to tempt Link and make him take the fall.
After some hesitation, Nicole agreed. Originally thinking that with her on board, the plan was foolproof, she found herself still at square one after two to three weeks.
Michael couldn't help but curse Link as a pathetic playboy for not taking advantage of the beautiful Nicole when she practically knocked on his door.
"Nicole, I have a way to deal with Link. During summer, I teamed up with several studios to pressure Link's films. If it weren't for Link's lucky break with the Simpson murder case, he would have lost millions on this project.
Though we've lost this round, we won't give up. The major studios won't let Guess Pictures rise; they're uniting against it now. They'll keep pressuring Guess until it goes under, turning Link into a director without any support, and then he'll have to comply to make movies for the big studios again.
Link got lucky this summer, but he won't stay lucky forever. Nicole, collaborating with me means you're collaborating with the big studios. This will be a major opportunity for you. I hope you'll be more diligent in securing something on Link."
"Okay, I'll keep trying to reach Link, just hoping he hasn't seen through my intentions," Nicole replied before hanging up.
...
"Who are you on the phone with?" Tom Cruise strode in.
Nicole glanced at him. "Link!"
"Link? What do you want with him?" As Tom began to boil with anger, he suddenly recalled an agreement with Michael, and his fury faded.
"The lead role in the Batman sequel fits me perfectly. I called him to ask for the role of Chase Meridian, is that so wrong?"
"You're begging him for a role?" Tom retorted heatedly.
"Who else am I supposed to ask? You? Do you think you can secure that role for me?"
"Shut up! Don't talk to me like that!"
Tom's anger flared, taking a moment to raise his hand before realizing their height difference made it impossible for him to intimidate her.
"I don't care about your personal business, and you better not meddle in mine!" Nicole snapped, storming upstairs, holding her skirt.
...
With a scowl, Tom lowered his arm heavily and, once Nicole was out of sight, picked up the phone to call Michael. He expressed his concern that Nicole had been calling Link frequently, suspecting they might be up to something behind his back, and inquired whether Michael's team of paparazzi had captured anything.
Michael responded that they hadn't. The paparazzi had been trailing Link, who was maintaining a strict routine, commuting to the office and then partying with a group of women at his villa, without any sighting of Nicole, at least not yet.
Michael advised Tom not to keep too tight a watch on Nicole, suggesting he give her some space to interact with Link. This would create opportunities for the paparazzi to catch him in a compromising situation, tarnishing his reputation.
Tom nodded grimly. He brought up Warner Bros.' interest in having Link direct the blockbuster Batman sequel, asking if there were any ways to sabotage that collaboration. He couldn't just stand by and watch Link team up with Warner Bros.
Michael assured him there was no chance for disruption; a contract had already been signed. He urged Tom not to worry too much. Warner Bros. was only interested in working with Link, not Guess Pictures, and their stance against Guess still stood firm.
Feeling relieved, Tom put the phone down.
...
Upstairs, Nicole watched Tom on the phone, her gaze growing colder. The reason she had agreed to Michael's plan to seduce Link was partly to gain access to the resources Michael had promised.
For the last four years, she had relied on Tom for resources, but after the recent controversy, Tom's influence and standing in the industry had dwindled significantly. He could no longer provide for her, and she knew she had to find her own way.
On the other hand, Link was a capable man, known for treating the women around him -- Monica, Jennifer Connelly, and Renee Zellweger -- very well, helping them grow in their careers. If she could forge a connection with him, who knows what resources she might access in return?
But how could she make Link take the bait?
Nicole furrowed her flawless brows, contemplating whether she needed a different strategy to win Link over.
*****
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