[Chapter 314: Don't Forget About Your Ex-Husband]
Tom Cruise walked into the room and instantly his expression changed when he saw the fruit knife in her hand.
"I'm your husband!" he exclaimed, frustration simmering in his tone.
"Given your previous behavior, I had to be cautious," Nicole Kidman replied as she settled onto the couch, crossing her legs.
Tom scoffed, "Didn't you want a divorce? Fine. Just agree to take some photos of you in bed with Link, and I'll sign the divorce papers. Plus, I can even offer you a few hundred thousand dollars in a settlement."
Nicole rejected the idea outright. "No way. Link is the person I love. I would never do anything to damage his reputation for a divorce. Don't even think about it."
Tom's anger flared as he glared at her. After being married for over three years, Nicole had never defended him this much, and now she was standing up for Link instead, which only fueled his frustration even more.
"Alright, if you refuse, we can drag this out. We can wait three, four, even five or eight years. I've got the money, and I can make it last as long as I want. You're 27 now -- will you still look this good in eight years? By then, Link will have countless women around him. Will he even remember who you are?"
Tom sneered.
Nicole's expression chilled at his words. This was the very reason she was so eager to divorce Tom in the first place. She knew she was beautiful now, and even in ten years, she had confidence that she could maintain her looks and allure. But Link was too remarkable, and many women aspired to be with him. Once those women really experienced being with him, it would be hard for them to let go.
If she didn't join Link's circle of girlfriends soon, in a few years, there would be more competitors. At that point, her standing would be minimal, leading to less affection and fewer resources coming her way.
So, she had to get this divorce wrapped up quickly and secure her place with Link.
"What do you want? You don't really think you can take him down just because of a few revealing photos, do you?"
"That's not your concern. As long as you give me the photos, I'll sign the divorce papers," Tom said flatly.
Nicole looked at him and suddenly smiled. "This was Michael Ovitz's idea, wasn't it? Tom, if I were you, I wouldn't support this self-destructive approach."
"Hmph! Enough talk. Agree and we can divorce; refuse, and we'll see who can outlast whom," Tom replied.
Nicole gazed at him with pity.
"Tom, I never realized how foolish you were, letting yourself be used without even knowing it. Wait, don't interrupt -- just listen. You're an actor, aiming to become a global superstar, to earn higher fees, and to hold a stronger position in Hollywood, right?
You're trying to please Michael Ovitz and kiss up to Sherry Lansing, using me to play your cards right, but now a better opportunity is presenting itself. Are you going to seize it?"
Tom frowned. "Opportunity?"
"Absolutely! It's clear to anyone with common sense that Hollywood's future belongs to Link. In the competition with him, the influence Michael Ovitz holds will only diminish. Do you agree?"
Tom didn't respond.
"Good! Since you acknowledge that Link will grow stronger and Michael will fade, you should be smart and improve your relationship with Link sooner rather than later.
If you continue to oppose Link, when Michael tumbles down and Link becomes the king of Hollywood, how will you position yourself then?"
Nicole chuckled coldly.
Tom tightly furrowed his brow. "Link's ambition to be the king of Hollywood won't be that easy. The Big Seven studios and Michael won't agree."
"What difference does it make if the Big Seven disagree? Once the annual box office rankings come out, the shareholders behind the Big Seven will see that Guess Pictures is more profitable. They'll invest heavily in Guess Pictures instead of the Big Seven.
And as for Michael? He's not powerful anymore. CAA is losing its grip, acquiring fewer resources, and his influence is waning. He has no real strategy against Link except to use underhanded tactics.
What kind of ability does he have to support your advancement?"
Nicole looked at the pensive Tom, continuing, "You're already a top star. Now, the only person who can help maintain your current status is Link, the top power player in Hollywood. If you're willing, I can set up a meeting for you with Link to ease the tensions and discuss potential collaboration.
Link isn't petty; his main goal in Hollywood is to make movies and earn money, not to hold grudges. If you're willing to take a step back, I can assure you that you will have his support."
Tom remained lost in thought. Suddenly, he raised an eyebrow. "You say you want to help me? Why would you do that?"
"Of course, I won't do it for free. My help comes with the condition that you sign the divorce papers," Nicole replied.
Tom scoffed. "After all this, you just want to trick me into divorcing you? It won't be that easy."
Nicole laughed, "If you agree to the divorce and let me be with Link, I will be ready to help you once I'm with him. If you refuse, well, we'll see if Michael can stand up to Link. If he can't, then don't blame me when Link cuts off your opportunities in Hollywood."
"You!!" Tom glared at her, realizing just how vicious this situation was.
---
That evening, Link finished up at the film set, rubbing his neck as he returned to his hotel. In the lobby, he encountered Nicole, who wore a mask.
"How's your throat? Feeling better?" he asked.
"What do you think?" she replied, her cheeks rosy as she touched her throat, giving him a flirtatious look, her gaze soft.
"Sorry! I got a bit carried away last night and lost control."
"No need to apologize. You don't have to apologize for anything you do to me. I enjoy what you do," Nicole said gently.
Link thought about touching her face but suddenly noticed Tom sitting on the lobby sofa, making the situation awkward, especially since he had always prided himself on being the good guy and lacked experience in such encounters.
"Tom came by to see you. He wants to reconcile. Do you want to talk to him?" Nicole whispered.
"Let's wait a minute. I promised I'd have dinner with Winona," Link responded.
"Alright, but I also mentioned to Tom about the divorce. He said if you're willing to work with him on a film and not hold him accountable for his past actions, he could allow us to move on."
Nicole cautiously gauged his reaction.
"Are you sure you want to go through with the divorce?" he asked.
"Yes, my heart is only with you now. Will you accept me?" she replied.
"Absolutely." Link pinched her cheek and walked over to shake Tom's hand, saying he'd chat with him shortly.
Tom suppressed his simmering anger, mustering up a pleasant demeanor.
...
After Link left, Nicole approached Tom, "If you truly want to collaborate with Link, show him some respect. Don't play one side against the other; it won't fool anyone, and the only one getting hurt will be you."
Tom clenched his teeth and smiled, "I hear you. Just remember, once you're with Link, don't forget about your ex-husband."
"Just agree to the divorce, and everything will be easy," Nicole waved goodbye and walked away.
...
Tom watched her retreating figure, muttering angrily under his breath before his fists clenched in rage.
Once Nicole departed, he returned to his room and called Michael Ovitz, sharing everything that had transpired.
After hearing the news, Michael fell silent for half a minute before responding.
He explained that he had always known Nicole couldn't be trusted, so he held no hope for her. Now, their hope of undermining Link rested solely on Tom's shoulders.
"What should I do?" Tom asked.
Michael instructed him to first follow Nicole's advice and try to get in Link's good graces. They needed to become friends, ideally even hinting to Link that he was okay with Link and Nicole sleeping together.
Once they let their guard down and began dating freely -- even at Tom's villa -- he could find an opportunity to sneak in and take indiscreet photos of them in bed.
He wanted to turn Link into a homewrecker so that it would ruin his reputation.
Tom noted that Nicole was eager to expedite the divorce process, indicating that she wouldn't sleep with Link until the divorce was finalized.
Michael scoffed through the phone, urging him to come up with a way to first separate before finalizing the divorce.
During the separation, he could cozy up to Link and induce them to have sex, whether through alcohol or sedatives, ensuring they captured compromising photos.
Tom's eyes sparkled with determination as he agreed to the plan.
*****
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