章 139: ### Chapter 139: Night Talk

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"It's so late. Who called you?"

In the bedroom, the lights were bright. Taylor, wearing a nightgown and with her golden curls draped around her, was leaning against the headboard with a music magazine in her hands. When she heard Link come in, she asked without looking up.

"My boss!"

"Eva Thump?"

Taylor looked up, her blue eyes flashing.

"Yes, she heard about the Grammy incident and called to criticize me."

Link threw off the blanket and lay down next to Taylor, preparing to read the magazine with her.

Taylor flipped through the magazine nonchalantly and said, "Eva's figure is so sexy, with such a big chest and hips. What's it like to be with her?"

Link was taken aback. "How would I know? I've never been with her."

"Really?"

Taylor looked at him with a skeptical expression, her lips curling up.

Link smiled gently and rubbed her shoulder. "Of course it's true. She's my business partner, not a lover. I wouldn't sleep with her. I wouldn't lie to you about this."

Taylor nodded slightly, as if she believed him.

"What about Emma Watson?"

"Emma?"

Link thought about Emma and realized it seemed like a long time ago. He sighed and said, "That's all in the past. Why bring it up now?"

"Just making conversation. The magazine says we're a couple, and talking about intimate matters can make our relationship seem closer. Just like how I never minded you being with Amber."

Taylor brushed her hair aside and smiled casually.

"Alright, we dated. At that time, we weren't together, so dating her wasn't cheating."

Link looked at Taylor's expression and spoke cautiously.

Taylor nodded. "And Gal Gadot?"

"You know Gal?"

Link was surprised but then remembered that Gal had visited Baker's shop and played on the yacht a few times. James, Michael, and others knew about it, so it would be hard to hide.

"Yes! But that's also in the past."

Link wrapped his arm around Taylor's shoulder and kissed her hair.

"What about Laura Vandervoort?"

Taylor continued asking.

"Who's that?"

"The female lead in *Blue Sea Chase 2*? Have you already forgotten her?"

Taylor looked at him with a questioning gaze.

Link rubbed his forehead, feeling helpless. "You don't think I go through women like that, do you? Am I really that lecherous?"

"Yes!"

Taylor tossed the magazine at him, lay down, wrapped herself tightly in the blanket, and turned her back to him, keeping a distance of about a foot.

"Hey, you said you didn't mind. Are you lying to me?"

"Stop making a fuss. Go to sleep!"

Taylor muttered under the blanket.

Link shook his head, turned off the light, and pulled her into his arms. Taylor struggled a bit but couldn't break free and hit him lightly on the chest.

They played around under the blanket for a while, until Taylor was exhausted, and the blanket finally settled down.

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The seaside in Los Angeles, like Miami, got bright very early. Link returned from his run along the palm-lined road, his T-shirt soaked in sweat and clinging to his body.

When he got back to the villa, the sun was just beginning to hit the lawn. The roses in the garden were blooming brightly in large patches of red and pink. The maid, Vanessa, was carrying a bamboo basket, cutting flower branches to decorate the living room.

Meridian and Olivia were strolling on the platform by the pool, one ahead of the other. Both were Scottish Fold cats with floppy ears and delicate bodies, moving slowly with a very noble air.

Link was worried they might fall into the water and reminded Vanessa to keep an eye on them.

"Link, here's today's newspaper. Last night, fans were arguing online, so I've summarized some key points for you to review."

Assistant Anna came in with a stack of newspapers and materials. Even with glasses and makeup, her dark circles were evident.

Link smiled gently and took the materials. "Anna, don't be too anxious. You should go back and get some rest. We'll discuss it after you wake up."

"Link, Kanye, Lil Wayne, and their fans are numerous. The current online sentiment is very unfavorable for you."

Seeing him being so nonchalant made Anna even more nervous.

"I understand. It's all expected. Don't worry, I won't collapse."

Link smiled.

After Anna left, he skimmed through the online opinions she had compiled.

Compared to his own fans, the fans of Kanye, Lil Wayne, and others, who had been around for years, were clearly more numerous and louder online.

At a glance, their voices seemed to represent mainstream opinion, which caused many uninformed people to remain neutral or side with the larger group, criticizing Link.

They believed that attacking Kanye's mental health was the first mistake.

Leaving early during Kanye's speech at the Grammy Awards was the second mistake.

After leaving, attacking Kanye, Lil Wayne, and even Obama was seen as adding insult to injury.

Link had to make an apology.

The public opinion was fierce.

Major newspapers like *The Los Angeles Times* and *The Hollywood Reporter* reported Link's statements from the interview, almost all on the front pages.

'Link criticizes the Grammy Awards, stating that awards shouldn't be given to untalented singers'

'Link claims Kanye and Lil Wayne are mentally ill and too arrogant'

'Link hints at dissatisfaction with the new president in an interview at the Grammy Awards, linking Kanye and Lil Wayne's behavior to the new president'

Just seeing these headlines made it clear how significant the impact of the news would be.

Link glanced through the articles but didn't see anything new, so he stopped reading. As the focus of the media storm, the most important thing now was to remain calm.

Ding-ling-ling!

Eva Thump called. "Did you see the newspapers?"

"Just finished."

"What do you think?"

"It's quite a commotion. A bit frightening."

"Do you want to apologize? Some people have called Link Music, hoping I can urge you to apologize."

Eva Thump said.

Link thought for a moment. "Do you think I should apologize?"

Eva didn't answer directly but analyzed the situation. California and the entertainment industry were Democratic strongholds, with Obama being the representative of the Democrats. Not apologizing would likely escalate the public opinion even further.

But if he apologized, it would damage his image more. He hadn't done anything wrong but would be forced to bow down, which would disappoint his fans.

So, the situation was severe whether he apologized or not.

"I think you can handle it. After all, you brought this on yourself, right, Mr. Champion?"

Eva said somewhat gleefully.

Link smiled lightly. "Have you asked Mr. Thump for any advice?"

Eva didn't want to say. She had called Mr. Thump in the morning for advice and found that his reaction was similar to Link's description. Mr. Thump also thought it was a trivial matter and not worth worrying about.

This surprised her; Link seemed to understand her father better than she did.

"I didn't ask him. It's a minor issue. I can handle it without consulting him."

Eva said coldly.

"That's right. What do you think we should do next?"

"Next, I'll urge the Manhattan Federal Court to expedite the trial of the defamation case filed by Lil Wayne and others against our company regarding the new album's sales data and demand a public apology from them."

Eva said firmly.

"Sounds like a good plan. I look forward to your good news."

Link nodded.

He was confident in confronting Kanye and Lil Wayne publicly, trusting both his own influence and Eva's connections. Given the current situation, the chances of losing were slim.

"Don't relax too much during this time. How many songs have you written for the second album? If the sales of the second album don't surpass the first one, and the company loses money, I'll be forced to marry someone. You should know the consequences."

Eva said frostily.

"Got it. Don't worry, they're all good songs. Also, could you stop using your marriage threat to scare me? I'm not afraid of intimidation. Instead, I'm curious about how you'll get back at me after being forced into marriage."

"Hmph, I bet you don't want to know."

Eva snorted and decisively hung up the phone.

Link shook his head, and seeing the two little pets approach, he put down his phone, picked up the two small creatures, and gently petted them.

"Where's your little master? Still not up?"

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(The End)