Domination in America, Starting from being a Boxing Champion-Chapter 726 - 528: A Date in Paris

"Link, we're taking a day off in Paris and flying to Cannes tomorrow. What are your plans?"

"I also have some business to deal with in Paris, so see you tomorrow."

After arriving in Paris, France, Link bid farewell to Leonardo and Tobey Maguire and went to the villa in the 6th arrondissement with gifts to visit little Cassel.

He hadn't seen the little guy for several months, and Cassel was a bit unfamiliar with him at first.

Nevertheless, the bond between father and son prevailed. After playing with the little one for a while, they warmed up to each other. Cassel kept calling him 'Daddy,' which really grated on Guillaume Canet's nerves.

During their conversation, they often butted heads. Whatever Link said, Guillaume Canet would argue against.

Link said that Paris was the most beautiful city in Europe, and without hesitation, Guillaume Canet countered that Italy's Florence was the best city, the capital of art, the birthplace of the European Renaissance and opera, and indeed the most beautiful city in Europe. He mockingly added that Link had seen too little, knowing nothing of Europe or of art.

Link sipped some Lafite red wine from the table and remarked that Bordeaux produced the world's best wines, mentioning that he had a small vineyard there he intended to visit when he had the time.

Guillaume Canet disagreed, stating that Bordeaux wines had been overly hyped and indeed lived up to their reputation. He now preferred Spanish wines, like Bull's Blood, Dolores, and Château Rouge, which he thought tasted no worse than Lafite, Latour, or Romanée-Conti.

Link claimed Marion Cotillard was the world's sexiest and most elegant woman.

Guillaume Canet bit his teeth in frustration, his face turning red with the effort of holding back a counterargument, and instead, he viciously cut a large piece of foie gras and stuffed it into his mouth.

"You two could really become good friends."

Marion Cotillard said with a laugh, swirling her wine glass as she looked at the two of them.

"Heh, how could I possibly become good friends with someone like him? He's lecherous, heartless, vulgar, and rude, only cares about making money, a very boring person. Becoming good friends with him would mean I have no taste."

Guillaume Canet said with a sneer.

Link shrugged and wiped the little guy's face with a napkin.

"Guillaume, I remember you praising Link for being amazing. During last year's Olympics, you said he was an incredible person."

Marion Cotillard's lips curved into an elegant smile.

"No, I said he was a very perverse guy."

Guillaume Canet quickly retorted.

Link just smiled lightly, choosing not to belabor the argument.

"Guillaume, how's the box office for 'Blood Ties'? If it's good, we could plan a North American release."

'Blood Ties' was a French-English movie written and directed by Guillaume Canet last year, about half-brothers with different fathers who, upon growing up, one lives in France as a police officer and the other in the United States, newly released from prison.

After a decade apart, the older brother decides to help the younger break free from the mob and clean his slate for a normal life.

Link had read the script, finding it to be a rather artsy film with an interesting theme, but he wasn't too confident in Guillaume Canet's directorial skills.

This movie also participated in the non-competitive section of this year's Cannes Film Festival.

"Why worry about box office returns? Does a movie have to make a lot of money to be considered good? Your thinking is too vulgar. In reality, many true masterpieces have mediocre box office results, like 'The 400 Blows,' 'Under Satan's Sun,' 'Eternity and a Day.' And many high-earning movies often have only average quality—such as those Hollywood blockbusters."

Guillaume Canet contended.

"If a movie's box office is too poor and unprofitable, movie companies won't release and promote it at a loss. Without promotion, even the best movies remain unseen. Don't you, as a director, want your movies to be seen by many? What's the point of making films if not for others to see, just for self-admiration?"

Link argued.

"It's the media that has corrupted the film market. If those movies had no marketing and solely relied on word-of-mouth to attract viewers, my film's box office wouldn't be any worse than those from Lionsgate Films."

"Alright, I get it."

The box office for 'Blood Ties' must not be doing well for Guillaume to be so stubborn. If it had sold like last year's 'The Intouchables,' this guy would have been bragging about it already.

"In its first week in France, the box office is at 646,000 Euros, which is not too bad. The reviews are also quite favorable, with many critics noting significant improvement in Guillaume's filmmaking."

Marion Cotillard said with a smile.

"Really? That sounds good."

The film's production budget was 5 million Euros, with an expected loss of three to four million Euros—not too much, all things considered.

The three of them then discussed the investment plans of Paris Rose Films. Last year, the company made 140 million Euros from 'The Intouchables,' and even after Link took his share, the tens of millions remaining could fund over a dozen low-budget French films.

Link had no immediate suggestions, advising Guillaume Canet to discuss with the company's producers. He recalled that future films directed by the great French filmmaker Luc Besson did well at the box office, like Scarlett Johansson's 'Lucy' and tall-legged Sasha Luss's 'Anna.' If possible, collaborations could be considered.

While they were eating, the black maid came in to report that Madam Monica Bellucci had arrived.

Marion Cotillard stood up and left the dining room, returning shortly with Monica's arm in hers, inviting her to sit and dine as well.

"Oh, Link, you're here too?"

Monica Bellucci brought a waft of fragrance as she sat down beside him, her black wavy hair cascading down, wearing a black lace dress, nude stockings, and high heels. Despite being a 48-year-old matron, her curvy figure was still very much appealing.

"Hi, Monica, I've just arrived today."

Link greeted.

Monica glanced at the seating at the table. Link and Guillaume were sitting opposite each other, with Marion Cotillard and little Cassel in between, the atmosphere harmonious yet conflicting. She couldn't help but purse her full lips, her face revealing a mysteriously amused smile.

"Monica, what are you laughing at?"

Guillaume Canet looked at her dissatisfied.

Monica shrugged and laughed, "I'm just happy to see Link here."

"What's there to be happy about seeing him?"

Guillaume Canet snorted and continued to eat with his fork.

Monica raised her glass of red wine towards Link, "Link, welcome to France."

"He's not here for the first time; he spent over a month in France last year and came for the album release."

Guillaume grumbled.

"Thank you!"

Link ignored Guillaume's grumbling and clinked glasses with Monica.

Monica took a sip of her red wine and toasted Marion Cotillard, saying she was very envious of Marion Cotillard's current life.

Marion asked with a smile what was there to envy.

Monica pointed at three men of different sizes seated and said she envied that Marion could sit down to dine and chat with her three most beloved men, which was unbelievably romantic.

Marion smiled faintly, agreeing with her.

Guillaume interjected, asking about Vincent Cassel, wondering if they had made up?

Monica said no, they had discussed it and were preparing to divorce.

Guillaume and Marion expressed it was a pity. Guillaume advised Monica to forgive Vincent Cassel once and hoped the couple could reconcile and continue being husband and wife. They had been married for over ten years, and it wasn't easy to get to where they are now. He even said that men's infidelity wasn't such a big deal.

"Is that so, Link?"

Guillaume Canet asked with a mock smile.

"So that's what you think? Dear, I've told you before, Guillaume is not a good man. How about kicking him out for some peace at home?"

Link said, holding Marion's delicate hand.

"Damn it! Link, don't talk nonsense; the cheating man I mentioned refers to you, after all, you're a repeat offender."

Guillaume said angrily.

"I love Marion, and Marion loves me; that's enough. We don't need your judgment."

Link said.

"Guillaume, stop talking nonsense."

Marion said, displeased.

Guillaume clenched his fist and took several deep breaths, sitting down with a suppressed expression.

Monica Bellucci looked at the three of them, laughing, "Should I not have brought up Vincent and me?"

"It's fine, it's a real pity that you and Vincent are divorcing."

Marion said.

"There's nothing to regret. Our divorce isn't just because he cheated often; the main reason is that after more than ten years of marriage, we no longer feel the same when we're together. It's boring, and divorce is better for both of us."

Monica Bellucci said.

---

After lunch, the four sat in the villa's small garden for afternoon tea, talking about movies and the entertainment industry. Since Link was a popular subject, the conversation inevitably revolved around him.

They inquired about his Lionsgate Films matters, insider news of the Academy Awards, his struggles with Harvey and others, as well as the overt and covert struggles between Lionsgate Films and the major six studios, boxing matches, music albums, and so on.

In the conversation, Monica expressed admiration for his actions and achievements, while Guillaume continued to point out his faults from different perspectives. But each time, Marion defended him, which made Guillaume very jealous.

In the end, Guillaume couldn't stay any longer and said he was going to drink with Vincent, then drove away from the villa in his sports car.

Monica stayed until the evening, setting up a time to go to Cannes together the next day, and then she left.

Only Link, Marion, and a recently fallen asleep Cassel remained in the villa.

Link didn't wait to return to the villa; under the sunset on the long corridor, he embraced and kissed Marion against a pillar.

Marion was a very tasteful woman, nearly forty years old with faint fine lines at the corners of her eyes, but her innate elegance and sensuality increased instead of diminished. With the baptism of the years, her allure became more profound and lasting.

Every time he embraced and kissed her, it was like tasting a glass of Bordeaux red wine, her scent more enchanting than the lavender fields of Provence.

Her body was a unique beauty, neither tall and slim like a French supermodel nor voluptuous like Monica Bellucci, but more like an art piece filled with the classy and literary charm of France, worthy of careful appreciation.

Therefore, every time Link made love to her, he treated it as if it were the first time.

With all his strength and madness.

Both giving and taking.