[Chapter 418: Happy Women]
After Pixar Animation Studios successfully went public, major media outlets ran significant reports on the event.
The Business Daily described Pixar as the fastest-growing tech stock since Netscape last year, noting that the Guess Pictures company and Pixar Animation Studios had created more than thirty new millionaires internally.
Time magazine praised Link and Steve Jobs, commending Link for his bold and decisive business moves and incredibly sharp investment vision, calling him a business prodigy. Even if he didn't direct or work directly in entertainment, he would still become an outstanding figure.
Steve Jobs was praised for his persistence and hard work. After being forced out of Apple in 1985, he invested $10 million to acquire the computer animation division from George Lucas's Lucasfilm, the predecessor of Pixar Animation Studios.
After ten years of hard work and struggle, he turned a company worth only $10 million into a publicly traded company valued at over $3 billion.
Jobs' greatness spoke for itself.
Jobs and Link's partnership was described as a perfect match, earning them the title of Best Business Duo of the Year.
The Wall Street Journal published an unconfirmed rumor claiming that Link and Jobs had teamed up to control most of Apple's shares and the board of directors, with Jobs expected to return to Apple, though the timing remained unclear.
Influenced by these reports, Apple's stock price rose $21 in one day, increasing its market value from $1.8 billion to $2.6 billion. If Jobs truly returned, Apple's stock might soar even higher.
From this perspective, investors and the capital market were very optimistic about the Link-Jobs partnership, hoping they could rescue Apple and bring it back to its former glory.
...
"Link's luck is just unbelievable," Warner Brothers Film president Terry Semel, Universal Pictures president Ron Meyer, Fox Studios president Barry Diller, and Miramax executive Harvey Weinstein -- among other Hollywood film executives -- expressed envy and frustration after seeing the news of Pixar's successful IPO.
"He only spent $500 million acquiring Pixar last year, and in less than a year, Pixar's value soared to over $3 billion. Link made over a billion dollars from this deal. How does this guy get so lucky?" Barry Diller said through gritted teeth.
Ron Meyer shook his head with a wry smile.
Columbia Pictures, Universal Pictures, and Fox Studios were the lowest-valued among the Hollywood Big Seven Studios, with valuations only in the $3-4 billion range. Link made the equivalent of an entire Big Seven studio's worth of money in a single year.
Such capability and fortune were envied and resented by many.
But after jealousy, they faced harsh reality.
When Guess Pictures was weak, their combined efforts failed to suppress it. Now that Guess Pictures' value and strength had grown even greater, what could they do against this rising giant?
...
"Harvey, maybe it's time to give up fighting Guess Pictures," Bob Weinstein said after putting down a newspaper in their office.
"Guess Pictures is too strong now. Even allied with the Big Seven Studios, we can't beat them. Besides, we're partners with Guess Pictures. Continuing the partnership to make big money is what we should focus on."
Harvey Weinstein sulked silently. In recent months, he had devised many schemes to shut down Guess Pictures, hoping to teach Link and Guess Pictures a lesson next year to slow their momentum.
He thought that with help from the Big Seven Studios, he could climb to the top of Hollywood by stepping on Guess Pictures and Link.
But he didn't anticipate Pixar's successful IPO at year-end, which netted Guess Pictures billions and pushed its value to $6-7 billion. Media estimates put Link's net worth at over $10 billion.
Facing such a powerful rival, even successful schemes wouldn't affect Link or Guess Pictures. His months of plotting turned out to be wasted effort.
Harvey clenched his jaw so tightly that the muscles twitched.
...
"Link is truly an incredible guy!"
At Paramount Pictures president's office, Tom Cruise sighed in amazement while chatting with Sherry Lansing about Pixar's IPO.
"Are you still in conflict with Link?" Sherry asked.
Tom shook his head. "No, not after working together on the Jerry Maguire project."
He had wanted to use the media to stir rumors that Link had been involved in breaking up his marriage after his divorce from Nicole Kidman, but since Jerry Maguire hadn't released yet, he feared such tactics might jeopardize the movie, so he held back.
In hindsight, his restraint was wise. Link and Guess Pictures grew stronger, becoming the undisputed kings of Hollywood. Continuing hostility toward Link would only make his Hollywood life more difficult.
"That's good news. Guess Pictures is thriving, and Paramount is preparing to collaborate with them. Since you have no conflicts with Link, maybe you could star as the lead when our two companies work together," Sherry Lansing suggested.
"Sounds great. I'll do my best to get along with Link -- we might become friends," Tom replied with a charming smile.
...
After leaving Paramount, Tom texted Nicole Kidman, reminding her to keep her promise to speak well of him to Link.
When Nicole was divorcing, she had promised that once she became Link's woman, she would advocate for Tom and arrange cooperation between him and Link to advance his career.
"No problem!" Nicole replied.
Seeing her message, Tom quickly asked, "How have you been? Is Link treating you well?"
"Why do you ask?" Nicole replied from her villa.
"I heard Link has 60 or 70 girlfriends and often shoots films outside. He probably can't take good care of you. If you ever feel wronged or neglected, call me -- I'm always ready to come. If you regret it, we can get back together."
"No need! Link treats me very well. Though he has many girlfriends, he never neglects any of us. Whether he's resting at home or on set, he always makes time to be with us each week. Sometimes three or four of us hang out; other times seven or eight. We have a great time. I'm very happy with Link -- happier than ever before."
...
In the living room of her Beverly Hills villa, Nicole Kidman, wearing a nightgown and sitting on the sofa with long legs crossed, smiled charmingly.
"Nicole, who are you chatting with? Don't tell me it's some wild guy?" asked Brooke Shields, also in a nightgown, carrying a tray of desserts and sitting near the coffee table with her long legs stretched out, her red fingernails and pink toenails strikingly pretty.
"Don't be ridiculous! It's Tom Cruise. He heard about Pixar's successful IPO and asked me to congratulate Link on his behalf, hoping for future cooperation with Guess Pictures," Nicole said with a smile.
"Tom Cruise is doing well this year. Mission: Impossible made over $160 million in North America. The newly released Jerry Maguire has made $70 million so far, expected to surpass $100 million. Why does he still want to work with Link?" Michelle Pfeiffer asked gently, touching her flat stomach, a tender smile on her fuller cheeks.
"Everyone in the entertainment industry wants more fame and fortune," Nicole shrugged and replied simply, putting aside her phone to chat with Brooke Shields and others.
...
When Link entered from outside, Nicole and Brooke Shields scooted over to make room for him in the middle of the sofa.
"Are you done with your calls?" Nicole laughed, linking her arm with Link's.
"For now. The next one should come soon," he said.
Christmas was approaching, and with the Saving Private Ryan cast on break, Link had returned from Ireland to the US to spend Christmas with his girlfriends and attend the premiere of The English Patient.
After returning, friends and acquaintances called to congratulate him on Pixar's IPO and Guess Pictures becoming a major industry player.
Movie industry colleagues also approached him about collaborations, and contacts in the investment world asked if he and Jobs were going to team up to take over Apple.
His phone was practically burning from constant calls.
"Darling, it's because you're so amazing and popular that everyone wants to be on good terms with you," Nicole said coquettishly, guiding his hand under her pajamas.
"Yes, lately the hot topics in every circle are Pixar, Guess Pictures, and you, Link. You've basically become a heartthrob," Brooke Shields teased, feeding him dessert with her pretty fingers.
"Not just becoming a heartthrob -- I've been one for a while. I'm utterly bewitched by him," Renee Zellweger said as she hugged Link from behind.
"Enough, it's not even dark yet," Jodie Foster said, putting down her magazine and glancing at the three.
Renee snorted and kissed Link before letting go.
"Link, guess how much we made this time?" Monica Bellucci smiled, rubbing her belly.
"How much?" he asked.
"Abby said our Rose Garden Investments bought Pixar shares early, then sold them for a big profit," Monica held up one finger, then her entire hand.
"Haha, Monica, that sign is too vague. Link, can you guess?" Sofia Coppola laughed, putting an arm around Milla Jovovich.
Link smiled softly, "Sixty million?"
"No, for sixty million, I'd do this," Monica held up three middle fingers.
"Alright, don't make it hard for Link. It's $150 million. That's a few million for each of us," Lily said.
"It's like starring in a blockbuster on the side," Sandra Bullock joked.
"I'd have to do ten movies to make that much," Jennifer Lopez raised her hand.
"Same here," Charlize Theron shrugged.
Before Pixar's IPO, Rose Garden Asset Management's president Abby Josephine Cohen had followed Glimmer Capital's lead in buying some Pixar shares, then sold as the stock price soared, making at least double the investment.
After this operation, Rose Garden's total capital exceeded $300 million. As major shareholders, the women in the family could earn millions in dividends yearly without even working.
Before Jobs returned to Apple, Rose Garden planned to buy Apple shares using similar tactics. In a few years, they'd each be multimillionaires or even billionaires.
Having made money, everyone in the family was very happy.
With Link, the women got resources, emotional and physical satisfaction, children, family, and money others couldn't earn.
They were all very happy.
To celebrate, Link and his girlfriends threw a private party that night, playing and laughing until late.
*****
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