Domination in America, Starting from being a Boxing Champion-Chapter 563 - 431: Inside and Outside the Door (4/10)

"Alex, you look even more beautiful in person than on the screen,"

In the office, Ivanka examined Alexandra Daddario and praised her.

"Eva, you are truly beautiful."

Daddario also sized up Miss Ivanka across from her.

Both from New York City, she had heard about this Miss of the Thompson Family, reputed not only for her beauty but also as an astute, capable, and well-versed businesswoman.

Having met her in person, Daddario had a clearer understanding of her: she had an elegantly beautiful appearance, a dignified demeanor, and exuded an elegance and nobility that ordinary girls lacked.

And then there was her figure. Daddario had always been most proud of her own body, tall and sexy, with full breasts and a slender waist.

Upon seeing Ivanka, she realized Ivanka's figure was in no way inferior to her own.

A few inches taller than herself, Ivanka's curves and contours of her chest and hips were close to perfection; even Daddario, a woman herself, found them very alluring, not to mention men.

What Daddario admired most about Ivanka was her graceful confidence and unpretentious demeanor, exuding strong femininity from the inside out.

"Alex, let's sit down and chat,"

Ivanka gestured to the chairs beside the coffee table.

Daddario set down her purse and, smoothing her skirt, sat down opposite, crossing her legs.

——

"Chairman, would you like to sit down first?"

Outside the office door, hearing Vivian's shout, Link turned back to glance at the chair, shook his head, crossed his arms, and continued to watch the cars and pedestrians on 12th Street below from the corridor.

The sunlight outside was strong, and after a day of radiance, the palm leaves by the road were curling slightly, with wisps of heat emanating from the asphalt road. Even through the glass, he could feel the temperature outside.

Yet at that moment, the temperature inside him was no lower than outside, somewhat burning with anxiety.

He couldn't guess what the two of them would talk about, nor what the outcome would be. Regardless of the result, there was no benefit to him. When it came to matters of the heart, he favored the status quo, wishing that nothing would change.

"Chairman, would you like some water?"

Vivian approached him with a bottle of mineral water.

Link said thank you, opened the cap to drink a mouthful, and then continued to look outside the window.

After returning to her desk, Chief Secretary Vivian sat down; nearby, assistant Xina pointed at Link, imitating his furrowed brow with a light sigh.

Vivian covered her mouth and chuckled softly.

"He's getting what he deserves. With a stunning beauty like our boss, he still messes around with other girls; it's about right for him to go through this a few more times,"

Round-faced Xina murmured quietly with her hand covering her mouth.

"Shush, don't talk nonsense!"

Vivian held up her index finger, glanced at Link's silhouette and, seeing Link's head turn slightly, she suspected he had heard Xina's murmur.

"I'm not talking nonsense. Although Link is very capable, our boss is also super outstanding, so beautiful and competent, and she even puts up with his womanizing. Our boss is definitely the best, best woman in the world,"

Xina whispered.

"Shush!"

Vivian typed a few words on a document, turned the screen towards Xina, and wrote that Link has very good hearing, warning her to be careful not to be overheard and get fired.

Xina stuck out her tongue and returned to her seat to continue organizing files.

Link glanced at that round-faced little assistant, probably a post-90s, just like Selena, always talking.

He couldn't keep standing in the corridor; he picked up a movie magazine and began to read it while seated.

"Chairman!"

While reading a review of "Midnight in Paris," Jon Feltheimer, the head of the production department, came down the aisle with an assistant, stating that he had something to report to Ivanka about a movie.

Link said that Ivanka was busy and asked about the movie.

Feltheimer sat down opposite him and reported the discussion status of "Argo."

Given Ben Affleck's last movie had a decent box office performance and the screenplay was good as well, with potential market viability, the production department also approved investing 15 million US Dollars to participate in the making of this movie.

There was just one issue: no money at hand, more accurately, no money left for the year.

Most of the company's existing funds were tied up in two major movies, "The Hunger Games" and "The Expendables 2," plus the newly added "The Vow," with an investment of 30 million US Dollars.

The leftovers were barely enough to shoot a few low-budget horror films; there were no excess funds to invest in new film projects.

The production department suggested starting the shooting of "Argo" next year, which would ease the company's financial pressure somewhat.

After thinking it over, Link proposed borrowing more money from the bank.

With Lionsgate Films' healthy assets reaching up to four to five hundred million, and only 180 million in external debt for the moment, borrowing another two to three hundred million wouldn't be an issue.

Fellemay was somewhat hesitant, saying the company was currently involved in too many investment projects and also had substantial debt, which greatly reduced its ability to withstand risk.

If next year's "The Hunger Games" and "The Expendables 2" didn't perform well at the box office, the company's situation would worsen, just like Carlock Pictures, the producer of "Shutter Island," and MGM Studios, the producer of "Windtalkers."

In fact, the reason MGM went bankrupt wasn't because "Windtalkers" performed poorly at the box office, but because MGM had already accumulated a debt close to five billion US Dollars before production, while MGM's market value was only 4.1 billion.

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MGM had hoped that "Windtalkers" would save its reputation, but the dismal box office turned it into the last straw that broke the camel's back.

The situation with Carlock Pictures was similar.

Link understood his concerns; they didn't have the foresight to know whether movies like "The Hunger Games" would be successful, nor did they know whether the company's situation would improve next year.

Implementing these plans was like a group of blindfolded people walking in the dark, needing to cautiously feel their way forward to avoid falling into pits.

Link knew "The Hunger Games" would be a hit, and other films such as "The Vow," "Gold," and "The Evil Invasion," would perform well at the box office if they followed their original production plans. "The Expendables 2," however, had undergone significant changes, and its success was a coin flip.

He had some predictive insights into the box office performance of these movies and had a more positive and optimistic attitude. This made his steps larger while walking.

Fellemay and others didn't have this advantage, so he would lead them forward.

He told Fellemay to be bold, and if the box office for these movies fell below expectations, he would consider increasing his investment in Lionsgate to help the company through tough times.

Fellemay finally felt at ease after hearing his assurance.

Link then inquired about the recent movie distribution situation.

In addition to "Bridesmaids" and "Mr. Tree," the company had four more movies lined up for release: "Warrior," "The Devil's Double," the action movie starring Taylor Lautner and Lily Collins, "No Escape," and Palm Beach Films' solo production, "The Help."

The first three films had received mediocre evaluations at internal screenings, and their box office expectations were not high, potentially leading to losses.

"The Help" had a good response from test screenings, and with its high-quality production touching on racial discrimination, it had real box office potential. The company would also increase its promotional efforts for its release.

"Eva, it's settled then. Let's go shopping together when we have time."

While they were chatting, the office door opened from the inside. Alexandra Daddario walked out, saying goodbye to Ivanka, carrying a small handbag, and wearing a sweet smile on her rosy cheeks.

"Okay, Annie."

Ivanka smiled gently, hugged Daddario, and then looked at Link. "Link, do you have time to see Annie out?"

Hearing her constantly refer to Alexandra as Annie, Link felt his scalp tighten.

It was true that Ivanka's better relationship with Daddario and others meant less trouble for him, but being too intimate among women didn't seem quite right; it felt as if some unknown risk was lurking.

"No need, I drove here."

Daddario said, batting her large eyes.

"I'll walk you to the elevator."

Link took Daddario by the arm and turned into his own office.

Ivanka saw the backs of the two as they left and gently pursed her lips. She then noticed that Jon Feltheimer was also there. She sat in the seat Link had occupied, took a sip from the water he had left behind, and asked Feltheimer if there was any work.

——

"Annie, what were you just talking about?"

Click, Link closed the office door and looked at Daddario, who was wearing a lady's suit and knee-length skirt, her figure alluring.

"I'm not telling you."

Daddario said with a slight smile, turning her head to look around the office, commenting on how large it was.

"A girl's secret?"

"No, it's just a secret between me and Eva. We discussed some personal things, mostly about work," Daddario laughed.

Link, seeing that the innocent Daddario was starting to play strategic games, worried she might be led astray by Ivanka, felt an urgent need to set things right.

He walked over and wrapped his arms around Daddario's slender waist, gazed into her big eyes, and kissed her perky nose.

"Annie, I don't mean anything by this, I'm just worried you might be taken advantage of."

"Don't worry, I'm not being mistreated. Eva is a great girl, very communicative, and we get along very well," Daddario said, embracing his waist in return.

Link inwardly exclaimed in dismay. Considering Taylor's strong-willed and stubborn nature, after speaking with Ivanka, he, too, praised her as a great woman. After Jennifer Lawrence had visited Ivanka's apartment, she too had said Ivanka was cool and that she wanted to learn from her.

Now that Daddario had met her, she was also full of praise.

It didn't feel like he was the one building a harem; it seemed Ivanka was.

"Is that so? I'm glad you two had a good chat."

Link held Daddario at her waist and leaned back against the solid wood desk, lowered his head to capture her red lips, and slid his hand into the lining, gently stroking the girl's waist and curved behind...