[Chapter 413: The True British Rose and the Unexpected Scandal]
Over the weekend, Ms. Spencer visited the film set as promised. She was 35 years old, freshly divorced for just over two months, wearing a light blue butterfly-knot net hat, a white lace dress, and champagne-colored heels. She had a tall figure and an elegant aura.
During a break in filming, Link chatted with her. Ms. Spencer claimed to be a fan and asked for his autograph and a photo. Link thought well of her and naturally didn't refuse.
However, Ms. Spencer seemed very curious about him. During their chat, she kept gazing at him intently and smiled brightly as she probed into his rumored love affairs, asking if it was true he had dozens of girlfriends, all famous actresses.
Link answered calmly that the rumors were true.
She further asked, "With such a busy life, how do you manage all these relationships? Aren't you worried they'd fight?"
Link said he wasn't worried at all. They were all smart, understanding women who knew how to manage themselves and wouldn't get into conflicts easily.
Ms. Spencer rolled her eyes and teased, "Smart girls falling for a playboy? They sure have tough luck." She then covered her mouth and laughed.
She was even more lively and approachable in person than the news portrayed, and no matter what she said, it never felt annoying.
Unfortunately, the matters connected with her were quite complicated.
Link was too busy to bother getting involved in other people's drama.
Ms. Spencer stayed around the set for about forty minutes and then left.
Link went back to filming.
However, what he feared did happen.
---
That very night, BBC aired a news report stating that Ms. Spencer visited Link's set and left after over forty minutes. According to insiders, the two seemed to get along very well, like old friends who had known each other for a long time.
Later, British Sky Broadcasting (BskyB) entertainment news channel, part of News Corporation, also reported on it, saying Link and Ms. Spencer had a friendly private relationship. They added that during filming in France and the UK, his girlfriends Jennifer Connelly, Sandra Bullock, Brooke Shields, Jennifer Aniston, and Liv Tyler had visited the set. This implied a possible romantic link between Link and Ms. Spencer.
...
The next day, dozens of British media outlets published front-page news of Ms. Spencer's visit to Link's set. Nearly all suspected a romantic connection.
The reason was that Link, a world-class playboy, was known to prefer older, graceful women. Ms. Spencer, after separating from the prince, was often linked to scandal by the media. Their sudden meeting fuelled suspicions.
The Daily Telegraph front page reported, citing insiders, that Link and Ms. Spencer were not meeting for the first time, but were old acquaintances. Their earliest meeting possibly dated back to 1993 during Se7en's UK release, when Link came to London for promotion and met Ms. Spencer. Since then, Link often came to the UK for film promotion or the British Academy Film Awards, likely in connection with Ms. Spencer.
The newspaper detailed a timeline of Link's visits to the UK, noting Ms. Spencer was usually in London during his stays, supporting the claim they were longtime acquaintances. They had never made their relationship public because Ms. Spencer wasn't divorced until recently, now she was free to meet without restraint.
The Sun disclosed that Ms. Spencer had separated from the prince in 1992 and divorced in August this year, possibly linked to Link. They suggested that the charming playboy had a strong chance of interfering in their marriage.
They also cited American media rumors that Link was connected to the divorce cases of Richard Gere and Tom Cruise, indicating this wasn't his first scandal.
---
Link was frustrated reading these during breakfast. He and Diana were completely innocent, yet they were slandered with inappropriate rumors. They only met for just over forty minutes -- what could possibly happen in that time?
"Link, many media outlets have contacted us, hoping to interview you. Do you want to clear things up?" Lewinsky asked.
Link shook his head. The media clearly knew he and Diana had nothing going on, but they kept fabricating stories to grab public attention and sell more papers.
Given the current situation, the media had already decided there was a relationship. Even if he spoke out, they wouldn't give up the story easily; instead, they would add more fabricated details and hype it further.
"I'm too busy to deal with the media. Talk with PR and handle clarifications for me. Also, contact Ms. Spencer's team; her reputation is solid, so her explanation will be more effective.
In addition, get the legal department involved to sue those unscrupulous outlets for defamation and emotional damages to Ms. Spencer and me."
"Got it! I'll arrange it now," Lewinsky smiled and left the cafe.
...
"Link, you and Diana really aren't involved, right?" Kate Beckinsale grinned mischievously.
"Of course not. Why would you think that?" Link sighed. Even the women at home doubted him.
"Because you have that charm. You're so irresistible, any woman who sees you falls for you, and Diana's no exception," Julie Delpy teased.
"We think the same," Kate, Renee Zellweger, and Jennifer Lopez laughed.
Link shook his head. "No way. Diana and I hadn't met before; this was the first time. I don't know why she decided to visit the set. Had I known it would cause such scandals, I wouldn't have accepted the meeting."
"Link, since the media is accusing you and Diana falsely, you should ask her out and win her over. That way, you won't lose out," Renee joked.
"I agree!" Julie raised her hand eagerly. "Sleeping with Diana would be so exciting!"
"Don't make trouble! Both of us have enough trouble. Let's not get deeper involved," Link stopped the playful Julie Delpy, who was always mischievous, and loved causing trouble.
Kate smiled, "Actually, I support Renee's idea. Before the divorce, Diana was betrayed by her husband and went through a hard time, even developed depression. Even after divorce, she's harassed by the media and watched constantly, like a bird in a cage, very restricted. You're a big shot; you dating her might help her."
"Darling, Kate's right. Diana is so pitiful. Help her!" Julie cuddled his arm, acting sweetly.
"I think you want her," Link playfully punished the cheeky woman, and they all continued breakfast.
---
After eating, Link went to the set. Outside, hundreds of reporters and Diana's fans waited, shouting at him to stay away from her, calling him a playboy. Police were maintaining order on the street.
Link ignored them and got into the van straight to the set.
Though silent, the media didn't relent, continuously fabricating stories about him and Diana in newspapers and TV.
...
Starting the next day, American media also picked up the story, reporting on Link chasing women while filming in the UK, further branding him a confirmed charmer who had even captivated Ms. Spencer.
Entertainment media tallied up Link's girlfriends once more, adding Diana's info and photos this time. They noted he liked blondes, Asian beauties, and Latinas, but showed no interest in African American women. His girlfriends were generally older, ranging from 18 to 40.
Their relationships were reportedly stable; Monica Bellucci was the longest, over five years, others lasting three to four years. Only one girlfriend had left because of his flirtations. No girlfriend spoke ill of him.
From this, it seemed Link was a promiscuous but effective relationship manager.
If Diana became one of his girlfriends, she might experience a different side of things.
...
During filming, Link's phone rang nonstop; acquaintances from the US called to ask about the rumors. Nicolas Cage, Ben Affleck, Quentin Tarantino, among others, expressed envy or called him a cad, warning him to be careful not to get taken down by James Bond.
His other girlfriends also called to ask if it was true and when he planned to win Diana over.
Due to Diana's status, everyone welcomed her addition.
Link was too busy to explain, just telling Lewinsky to deny all rumors.
---
On the afternoon of the second day after the burst of the news, Lewinsky and Guess Pictures' PR teams held press conferences in London and Los Angeles, respectively, jointly stating the news was false.
The two were not boyfriend and girlfriend, nor was there any inappropriate relationship. They urged people not to spread rumors. For those fabricating stories that damaged Link's reputation, the company's legal department would take legal action.
Despite clarifications, media and public refused to believe their innocence.
American media boasted about Link's womanizing skills, hyping him as the world's leading playboy.
British media criticized Link's infidelity, even suggesting the government expel the film crew and ban future filming in the UK.
...
Amid all the commotion, oddly, Ms. Spencer remained silent -- refusing interviews or sending representatives to explain.
Lewinsky contacted her assistant for a statement; Ms. Spencer declined, saying it was inconvenient and apologized to Link.
Her lack of cooperation misled the public, who then assumed her tacit acceptance. Link's eagerness to clarify seemed like an unwillingness to take responsibility and a betrayal to Ms. Spencer.
Many of Diana's fans protested outside the film set, demanding Link take responsibility and calling for government intervention, severely disrupting production.
Link endured the public pressure and continued filming until late November, when the crew moved from London to a studio in Ireland. Only then did the storm settle down.
*****
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