386-390

*Chapter 386: Don’t Get Your Hopes Up*

After leaving New Century, Richard made a stop at BAA Company.

BAA had been doing well over the past couple of years, signing several talented actors, both newcomers and veterans. The company’s market value was approaching 100 million.

As BAA's CEO, Anthony had become a big name in Hollywood. However, he had regained his old physique, growing so overweight that walking left him gasping for air.

"Richard, what brings you here?" Anthony asked, panting as he walked down the hallway.

"I'm working on post-production for Kingdom of Heaven, so I came by for work. Are you 200 pounds now?" Richard patted him on his broad shoulder.

"Hiss... take it easy!" Anthony rubbed his shoulder as they walked. "Not 200 yet, just over 190. I just look fatter because I’m short. Compared to those guys who weigh 300 or 400 pounds, I’m pretty slim."

Richard chuckled, glancing at Anthony’s oily, sweaty bald head, round belly, and barrel-like waist. "Obesity is a disease, you should take care of yourself. Don’t ruin your health just to make money."

"Haha, I know, I know."

Once in the office, the secretary brought them some tea.

"Richard, the company signed a few promising actors this year, including some real beauties. Want to meet them? They're all fans of yours," Anthony said with a grin.

"No thanks," Richard said, setting his teacup down and giving him a side-eye. "When the company was small and lacked clout, I didn’t mind being the face. But now, with the company’s strong standing and resources, you don’t need me to attract talent."

"Haha, you're right. But we’ve gotten so used to using you as our ace. You’re the best card we’ve got! Just hearing you're associated with BAA makes young actors eager to join. Makes signing them a breeze. Anyway, enough chit-chat. Are you really retiring next year?"

"Of course. I just came by to make sure you don’t drag me into anything," Richard said, annoyed. As a billionaire and top-tier capitalist, only Anthony dared to exploit him so blatantly. If anyone else tried, they’d be long gone.

"Hehe, I’m not trying to cause trouble. It’s just such a shame. This year, Mr. and Mrs. Smith was a global hit. Your box-office draw is stronger than ever. Some studios are offering contracts worth $100 million just to work with you. Think about it—one movie, $100 million. Three movies in a year, that’s $300 million."

"Is $300 million a lot?" Richard raised an eyebrow.

"Uh, fine, fine. I suddenly feel like actors shouldn’t be too rich. Once they are, they get lazy. Look at Naomi, Jessica, and Charlize. They used to fight for roles when there was nothing lined up. Now, with millions to their names, they’re picky. They only take two or three roles a year. They’ve completely lost their drive. Sometimes I think it’s right to take a bigger cut from actors," Anthony joked.

Richard shook his head slightly. "They’re at least A-list actors. With fame and fortune, they can’t just take every role that comes their way. That would hurt their careers. As a manager, don’t you know this?"

"I do. But sometimes, even when a great role comes along, they pass. Oh well, as long as they stay with BAA and help strengthen the company, that’s good enough for me," Anthony shrugged, accepting his fate.

"It’s good that you understand. Jessica even thought about retiring like me and starting a small business."

"Really? No way! Richard, you have to talk her out of it. Jessica’s at the peak of her career—named one of the world's most beautiful faces, a rising star among the '80s generation actresses, and one of the most successful. Her potential is huge. It would be such a waste for her to retire now. You have to convince her!" Anthony grabbed Richard’s arm, blinking with his small eyes.

Jessica, Charlize, and Naomi were company shareholders and close to Richard. Anthony had no control over them, so he could only rely on Richard to persuade them.

Richard pushed his chubby hand away. "I didn’t finish talking. Jessica said she’s thinking about it but doesn’t have a solid business plan. She doesn’t even know what she’d do after retiring, so she’ll stay in the industry for now. But don’t expect too much. Jessica’s success is based on her looks, and in this fast-paced internet era, the competition is fierce. The best strategy is to keep introducing new, beautiful faces and cash in while you can."

"Haha, I know. That’s why we’ve been focusing more on looks when signing new actors. There’s this new girl, Emma Stone. She’s gorgeous. Want to meet her?" Anthony winked.

Richard shook his head. "No interest. And stop using me to charm women. I’m a billionaire. Can’t you give me a little respect?"

"Haha, introducing you to beautiful young women isn’t showing respect?"

"Pervert!" Richard flipped him the middle finger. After some more casual conversation, he left the company.

That afternoon, Richard worked on some special effects scenes, voiceovers, and narrations, wrapping up after three or four days.

Once that was done, it was time to start filming The Bourne Ultimatum. Richard headed to the Universal Pictures studio to prepare for the shoot.

"When does Bourne 3 start filming?" Charlize asked, sipping tea in Richard’s Beverly Hills mansion.

"In two weeks. We’ll be shooting in Germany. I’m so busy," Richard sighed, tapping his knee.

"Yeah, everyone in the industry says you’re the hardest-working billionaire in the world. Seeing a billionaire like you work non-stop, with no time for vacations, makes everyone else feel bad for slacking off. Your presence alone is killing everyone’s vibe," Charlize laughed.

Richard nodded. "True. I don’t think I’ve taken a vacation this year. Neither have you, nor Gisele, nor Annie Louise. How about we all go on vacation together for Christmas?"

"You mean all of us?" Charlize asked, smiling.

"Yeah. I heard you and Gisele get along well. Why not vacation together?" Richard suggested.

Charlize glared at him. "You jerk, I know what you're thinking, but let me tell you—it’s not happening. Don’t get your hopes up."

Richard raised an eyebrow, laughing. "I’m just talking about a family vacation. What’s wrong with that? If Louise is going, we can’t leave Annie behind. If Annie’s going, you wouldn’t skip out, would you?"

"Hmph, if we go, it’ll be me and Gisele taking Louise and Annie. You’ll have nothing to do with it," Charlize kicked him playfully.

Richard laughed and grabbed her leg to give it a little squeeze. "Alright, you’ve all worked hard this year. Go enjoy your vacation. I’m thinking of buying a small island in Hawaii. That way, it’ll be easier for us all to vacation together in the future. What do you think?"

Charlize bit her lip and smiled softly. "We’ll see."

"Then it’s settled," Richard smiled.

——

(End of Chapter)

*Chapter 387: The Absolute Leading Lady*

After a few busy days at work, Richard returned to the Blythe Manor. His days were filled with boxing practice and spending time with the kids. Occasionally, he'd play tennis or chat about business with Larry Ellison, Old Tomp, or Bezos, enjoying a few laid-back days.

By mid-September, it was time for The Bourne Ultimatum to start filming, and he followed the crew to Europe.

Compared to the first two films, the third one had a bigger scope, with filming locations spread across seven or eight countries in Europe, from Germany, France, and the UK, to Denmark, Norway, and Italy.

Richard spent over two busy months running around with the crew before things finally slowed down.

Once filming was wrapped up, he let out a long breath of relief.

The Bourne Ultimatum would be his last film before retiring from acting. Once it was done, he'd have no more obligations, and while he felt a sense of relief, there was also a bit of nostalgia.

As an actor, filming had been his legitimate work. Without it, he'd be left with nothing to do but be a "capitalist villain."

"What’s wrong, having second thoughts?" Gisele asked, glancing at him with a smile as she flipped through a magazine at Blythe Manor.

Richard lounged lazily in a chair, basking in the sun. "A little. By next year, I’ll have been acting for almost ten years and starred in over twenty films. To suddenly stop… it’s a bit strange."

Gisele smiled knowingly. "If you don’t want to stop, why not keep doing a film or two a year?"

"No way. When I retire, I want it to be clean. Otherwise, that guy Anthony would work me like a mule, making me do three or four films a year. I’m a billionaire, you know? I’m not here to work for someone else."

Richard's tone was serious.

Gisele couldn't help but laugh, "So, what will you do after retiring? Lie around the house all day?"

Richard hummed lightly, taking a sip of tea. "My dear, you’ve forgotten what my real job is. I’m a professional boxer. Training every day is work, isn’t it?"

"Alright, I actually forgot you’re a boxer," Gisele chuckled, playfully kicking him again. "You perv, look at this!"

"Look at what?" Richard raised an eyebrow, his gaze falling on her long, smooth legs, then moving up to her chest. "You’re so beautiful. How about we head to bed?"

"Get lost! I want you to look at the magazine!" she said, rolling her eyes and shaking the magazine in front of him.

On the cover was a familiar-looking model in a red dress.

"The cover’s not bad. It definitely catches the eye. How many copies of this issue sold?"

"Not many, only about 700,000 copies. A slight improvement from the last few months, but nothing dramatic. Seems like the redesign didn’t make a huge impact."

Starting in May, LIFE magazine's editorial team began working on a redesign, with the first new issue hitting shelves in August.

Before the redesign, LIFE covered a wide range of fashion topics. Afterward, it became more specialized, focusing on fashion, fitness, clothing, and luxury goods. They even brought in top editors and renowned photographers to contribute.

They also increased the number of pages, from 42 to 50.

Gisele and Angela, along with the magazine team, had worked tirelessly on the new format for over a month.

But the results hadn’t been as expected. Before the redesign, the magazine sold around 600,000 copies each month. The first redesigned issue sold 720,000, a very modest increase.

Before the release, Gisele and Angela had high hopes, thinking the new issue would sell at least a million copies. They even imagined winning a fashion magazine award for it. But when the mid-month sales data came in, it felt like cold water had been dumped on them. The excitement faded, replaced by disappointment.

Richard smiled, pulling her into his arms. "A redesign always risks losing some old readers. The fact that sales didn’t drop is already a good sign. It’ll only get better from here. Just be patient. In a few months, you’ll see."

Gisele smiled, still flipping through the magazine. "Why don’t you take a look and give me some feedback?"

Richard shook his head, pointing at the colorful images. "Every time I look at a fashion magazine, I only focus on the pictures and the profile section. I don’t understand all the stuff about fashion, design, and trends."

"Hmph," Gisele wrinkled her nose. "We’ve been together for almost ten years, and you haven’t picked up anything from me?"

"Oh, I’ve picked up plenty, but not about fashion. Fashion is too much work—matching colors, patterns, accessories. For me, the most important thing is comfort."

Richard grinned, "I dress comfortably, and yet I’ve still been named one of the 'Best Dressed Men' by Vanity Fair several times. Shows that fashion isn’t what matters—what matters is having a good face!"

"Ugh, you’re so vain!" Gisele rolled her eyes. "I don’t know why you’re so proud. I’m the one who buys your clothes and picks out every outfit. Even your workout gear is the most stylish. What do you mean by dressing casually? Fine, from now on, you can dress however you want. I’m done."

"Wait, don’t!" Richard pulled her back. "You’re my wife; you can’t let me dress badly. If I mess up, people will say you don’t understand fashion. It’ll reflect badly on you."

"And you, too! Let’s see who looks worse."

Richard laughed, "We’re a team. We can’t embarrass each other."

"By the way, The Devil Wears Prada is about to start filming. The lead character is in the fashion world and reads fashion magazines every day. Should LIFE get some ad placement?"

"Of course! Just make sure LIFE gets a few extra shots, or I’ll stop picking out your clothes," Gisele playfully threatened.

"Deal. I’ll make sure LIFE gets plenty of screen time. We’ll even have the fashionista character tell her assistant to subscribe to LIFE every month for inspiration. What do you think?"

"Haha, that sounds perfect!"

Gisele laughed. "By the way, didn’t Anna Wintour publicly say she wasn’t optimistic about the film and wouldn’t watch it? How did you deal with that?"

Anna Wintour, the editor of Vogue’s American edition, was widely believed to be the inspiration for the film’s lead character, Miranda.

Richard smiled, "That was easy. The production team invited her to be the film’s artistic consultant and fully involved her in the process. She accepted gladly."

"Oh, no payment?" Gisele teased.

"Of course not! Imagine if someone made a movie about you as the Queen of Workout Gear, highlighting how wonderful and kind you are. Would you object?"

Richard playfully lifted her chin.

Gisele thought for a moment and smiled. "Alright, I see your point. Having your story made into a movie is pretty cool. But I doubt anyone would ever make that movie about me. At best, I’d be a supporting character in The Legend of Boxing Champion Richard."

"Haha, no, dear. You’d be the absolute leading lady," Richard said, kissing her.

——

(End of the chapter)

*Chapter 388: Farming in New York*

"Daddy, Daddy! Look, look here!"

On the lawn, bathed in the warm winter sunlight, Richard and Mrs. Bündchen were chatting when they heard little Louis shouting excitedly from a distance.

"What's up?"

Richard turned his head and saw the little guy holding a small shovel, digging up the grass, his face flushed and sweaty. In front of him, there was a small pit on the lawn, and little Annie was sitting in it, covered with a few pieces of turf.

"Daddy, I buried Annie!" Louis said proudly, laughing.

"Daddy, I'm here! You can't see me," Annie added, covering her little face and lowering her head, trying to hide in the pit. But the hole was less than half a foot deep and didn't even cover her little feet.

"Oh, my silly girl," Richard sighed, shaking his head. He walked over, picked her up, and patted the dirt off her.

"Louis, if you love digging holes so much, how about I buy you a plot of land in the countryside so you can be a farmer?"

"Farmer?" Louis blinked. "What's that?"

"Well, it's like you, digging holes every day and planting seeds... Actually, it's hard to explain. How about I teach you hands-on? Today, we're going to do some farming!"

"Yay! Let's farm!" Louis cheered happily.

"Don’t be ridiculous! What are you going to farm in the middle of winter?" Mrs. Bündchen called out from a distance.

"Haha, it’s fine. We’ll plant whatever. Honey, do you want to join us?" Richard asked, pulling the two little ones along as they walked.

"No way, I'm not as bored as you," Mrs. Bündchen laughed, scrunching her nose. She stretched out on the bench and continued reading her magazine.

After a while, she saw the bored trio digging away in the small garden. Richard had a big shovel, Louis had his little one, and Annie was running around, laughing.

Smiling, Mrs. Bündchen asked, "Richard, what are you planning to plant?"

"How about potatoes?" Richard thought for a moment.

Mrs. Bündchen chuckled, "So you're an amateur too, and you still have the nerve to teach Louis? Potatoes are planted in spring and summer. It's too cold now; they won’t grow."

"Oh, then how about wheat? I remember there's winter wheat," Richard suggested.

"I’m not sure. Let me check!" Mrs. Bündchen looked it up on her computer. "Winter wheat is best planted in August or September and takes about half a year to harvest. It’s also better to plant large areas. Are you seriously planning to plant just a handful of wheat?"

"Fine, then check what we can plant this season in New York," Richard said.

"Carrots, cabbage, peppers—those could work," Mrs. Bündchen replied.

"Great! We’ll plant carrots."

Richard called his assistant to buy a bag of carrot seeds, some fertilizer, and a protective covering. Then, he and the kids started planting in the garden.

Bored, Mrs. Bündchen joined in, but she didn’t do much other than look things up on her phone and boss them around. She told Richard he was digging too deep, and the seeds wouldn’t sprout. Then she said he was using too much fertilizer, which would damage the seeds.

Richard just smiled and didn’t argue. "I hope by next spring, we’ll have a big patch of red carrots."

"Dream on! It’s your first time farming, so don’t expect a high success rate. I’d say growing even one carrot would be an achievement," she teased.

"You’re underestimating me! Even if I take up farming, I’ll be a top-notch farmer," Richard boasted.

"Show-off!" Mrs. Bündchen rolled her eyes. She pulled Louis away from stepping all over the freshly dug soil, while little Annie was happily playing with mud, her face and clothes covered in it.

"Annie, farming is a man’s job. Little girls should just watch from the side," Mrs. Bündchen said as she cleaned her up, though Annie still held two clumps of mud in her hands, with dirt stuck under her fingernails.

"Look at you, a little mud monkey now! It’s all your dad’s fault, teaching you how to farm."

"Farming is a life skill. I think it’s pretty great," Richard said with a grin.

"Hmph, what if Louis and Annie grow up and want to become farmers? Would you be okay with that?"

"Of course! Being a farmer is awesome. You can ride horses and herd sheep every day, drink fresh milk in the morning. Oh, honey, we should buy a big farm, raise lots of animals, and go there to relax whenever we have free time. How about that?" Richard asked, clearly interested in the idea.

"No way! If you want to go, go alone. Annie, Louis, and I won’t be joining you. Come on, Annie, let’s go take a bath," Mrs. Bündchen said as she carried the little girl back to the villa.

Richard and Louis continued planting.

---

"Richard, what have you been up to at home these days? Aren’t you bored without filming?" Anthony asked with a smile.

"Not bored at all. Louis and I have been planting vegetables. Look over there," Richard said, pointing to the garden. There was a clear patch of about ten square meters with shiny plastic covers. "We planted 124 carrot seeds. When they grow, I’ll give you some to try."

Anthony raised an eyebrow. "Farming at home? You must be bored! You could’ve used that time to take on a few more films and earn billions."

"Alright, I’ll be waiting to taste your homegrown carrots," Anthony laughed. "By the way, 'Batman' is set to premiere soon, so you’ll be doing a few more promotional events in the coming days."

"Got it. That’s my job, and I won’t slack off."

"Batman" wrapped up filming last October and was slated for a mid-November release. It was Richard’s second film of the year.

"You only have two movies coming out this year. Hollywood’s box office king might lose his crown in 2005," Anthony teased.

"Doesn’t matter. Titles like that aren’t worth much," Richard said nonchalantly.

"By the way, has the final box office for 'Saw III' come out yet? I read that New Century Pictures earned over $300 million in profit this year. That’s more than any other studio outside the Big Seven, right?"

Richard smiled. "'Saw III' did alright. It made $68.5 million domestically, but after deducting the costs, we only earned about $20 million. Overall, we didn’t even hit $300 million, just over $200 million."

"That’s still impressive. New Century is on its way to becoming the eighth biggest studio in Hollywood," Anthony remarked.

"Eighth? We’re not there yet," Richard shook his head.

After chatting a bit more, Anthony left the estate.

With year-end approaching, BBA had fewer projects, so Anthony spent most of his time in New York. He used to stay at Michelle’s villa, but last year, he bought a large mansion in the East Side, not far from Richard’s estate.

After seeing Anthony off, Richard returned to his training room to practice boxing. He had a match coming up before Christmas, so he couldn’t relax just yet.

Over the weekend, the first round of promotions for "Batman Begins" kicked off, and Richard made appearances on several TV shows in New York and Los Angeles.

After recording five interviews, the first wave of promotions ended, and a few days later, the shows aired with good reception.

On November 25th, "Batman" premiered. Richard and Mrs. Bündchen attended the New York opening, with the film debuting in 3,663 theaters and earning $62.29 million on its first day. The movie received positive reviews.

After finishing the second round of promotions, Richard took his family to Hawaii for a vacation.

He had already booked the seventh-largest island in Hawaii, and he, Mrs. Bündchen, Louis, and Annie flew to the beautiful island.

A couple of days later, the ever-busy Charlize Theron joined them, and the whole family enjoyed a lovely holiday on the island.

(End of the chapter)

*Chapter 389: Vacation and Box Office*

The sky was clear, the sea a vibrant blue, and the white sand met the waves—this was the typical scenery of the Hawaiian Islands.

Compared to chilly New York and the slightly cool Los Angeles, Hawaii was bathed in warm sunshine, making it the perfect time for a vacation.

On the white sandy beach, Richard, wearing only shorts, lay on a lounge chair, enjoying the breeze coming in from the sea.

Not far away, on the beach, Mrs. Bündchen and Mrs. Theron, in bikinis, played with the kids, who splashed in the waves. From time to time, bursts of cheerful laughter filled the air.

Richard smiled and turned another page of his book.

"Hey, Richard!"

Hearing someone greet him, Richard looked over.

A tall, lean figure approached, accompanied by a woman. The man said something to her, and she went off to play while he walked over with his hands in his pockets.

"David, what are you doing in Hawaii?" Richard asked.

“Haha, hasn’t Larry ever told you? The Sixth Island is my home," David Ellison laughed.

“Oh right, I almost forgot that Larry owns the island,” Richard chuckled.

In 2003, Larry Ellison bought 98% of the land on Lana'i for $400 million, with the remaining 2% belonging to the Hawaiian government.

Lana'i ranks sixth among the Hawaiian Islands, covering approximately 88,000 acres (360 square kilometers), with a population of about 3,200 people.

The island boasts two Four Seasons resorts, two golf courses, along with residential and commercial buildings.

Initially, the island was owned by Rupert Murdoch from 1985 to 1995. Later, Bill Gates rented it for his wedding, and eventually, Larry Ellison took ownership.

This time, Richard had planned to rent a small island for a month, so his family could enjoy some privacy and avoid disturbances. But Mrs. Bündchen wasn't keen on the idea, finding it too quiet with just the family. She insisted they vacation somewhere lively, so they came to Oahu instead.

Richard owned a beachfront villa on Oahu with stunning views. The beach was just beside the villa, with clear waters, white sand, towering coconut trees, and surfers out on the waves.

Further out at sea, there was a luxurious four-deck yacht—his family’s yacht, the Annie.

This vacation, he had brought the yacht along, using it for some offshore excursions or simply enjoying the sun on the beach. It was perfect.

"David, is Larry here?" Richard asked.

“No, he’s still got work in San Francisco,” David Ellison replied as he sat down across from him.

Richard nodded slightly and handed him a drink.

“Thanks, Richard. You really are something,” David laughed.

Richard smiled, “What part of me are you referring to?”

“Haha, everything about you. Whether it’s making money, boxing, or acting, you excel at it all. And, of course, there’s them,” David grinned, pointing at Mrs. Bündchen and Mrs. Theron in the distance.

Richard shook his head. Having spent a lot of time with Larry, he found it awkward treating David as anything other than a junior.

“David, I heard you’re working at New Regency. Are you on break?” Richard asked, studying him.

“Uh…” David, mid-sip of his drink, nearly choked at the reminder. He had forgotten that Richard wasn’t just a friend—he was also his boss. If he’d known, he wouldn’t have come over to say hi.

“I took some time off. I’ve been busy on set for a while, and now that things have wrapped up, I’m taking a break. I’ll be back in better shape for work next year,” David replied.

Richard nodded but wasn’t entirely convinced. This year, New Regency had produced four films: Saw III, The Butterfly Effect 2, Match Point, and The Devil Wears Prada.

Saw III had already finished its theatrical run. Both The Butterfly Effect 2 and Match Point had wrapped up filming and were in post-production. Only The Devil Wears Prada was still shooting, and likely wouldn’t be finished until next year.

As for David’s role at New Regency, he was an assistant producer and deputy director of production. When the first three films were greenlit, David was busy producing Stealth, leaving him with no time to work on the others.

By the time he returned to New Regency, The Devil Wears Prada was already in pre-production, and he was listed as an assistant producer. His responsibilities were limited to reviewing materials, so he had plenty of free time.

Moreover, Coppola Productions didn’t entirely trust him, so they hadn’t assigned him any major tasks. Whether he was slacking off at the office or sunbathing here, it didn’t make much difference.

“Richard, has the opening weekend box office for Batman come in? Did it break $100 million?” David asked.

“Yeah, I’ve got the figures here. Take a look,” Richard said, pushing a folder toward him.

“Wow, that’s impressive,” David remarked after a glance, seeing the $118 million opening weekend gross—a fantastic result.

The film had a 76% occupancy rate, a Rotten Tomatoes score of 8.6, and overwhelmingly positive reviews. Across the board, Batman was a hit.

Sighing, David couldn’t help but compare it to Stealth. Both films were big-budget productions, but their box office results couldn’t have been more different.

Batman had a budget of $110 million and recouped it in just one week. In contrast, Stealth had grossed a combined $78 million domestically and internationally, resulting in a major loss.

David closed the folder with a heavy heart.

“Something wrong?” Richard asked.

“No, everything’s fine. Batman did great at the box office. It might even cross $200 million domestically. Congrats on another hit—you’ve always had great box office numbers,” David said with a shrug, a bit regretful.

During casting for Stealth last year, he should’ve pushed harder to get Richard for the lead role. If Richard had been the star, the film’s box office would have been much better. With Richard’s box office draw, Stealth could have easily made $100 million.

But at the time, the film’s budget was already huge, and casting Richard would have raised production costs to nearly $200 million, which was too risky.

David realized how difficult it was to be a producer. Balancing production costs, picking the right actors and directors, and trying to make the best film with the least amount of money—it was no easy task. But New Regency had always excelled at it, producing low-budget films that became surprise hits.

“Richard, you might be the box office king again this year,” David remarked.

Among the current releases, Star Wars: Episode III was leading with a domestic box office of $362 million, followed by Mr. & Mrs. Smith with $256 million. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire was still in theaters, with a two-week box office of $190 million and a chance to overtake. However, Richard’s Batman was also performing well.

With the combined box office of two films, Richard’s total would be at least $450 million, making him the box office champion for the third year in a row.

Richard smiled, looking at his two kids playing on the beach. “I’m about to retire from acting. What good is another box office title?”

“You’re really retiring? That’s a shame. No one has your influence. Everyone in the industry says if you’re the lead, there’s no need to worry about box office numbers. You’re a box office guarantee. People would be lining up to work with you for $100 million a film. Retiring now would be a huge loss,” David said.

Richard shook his head slightly, pointing at the beach. “Look at this. Isn’t it beautiful?”

David turned to look at the sea.

The waves crashed gently onto the shore, and seabirds danced in the sky. On the pristine white sand, two playful children splashed their feet in the water, running back and forth with peals of laughter.

Nearby, two stunning women strolled, chatting and occasionally reminding the kids to be careful. The whole scene felt peaceful and perfect.

“Yeah, it really is beautiful.”

David Ellison nodded in agreement.

——

After sitting for a while, David Ellison left with his girlfriend. Richard continued sunbathing on the beach, occasionally glancing at the newspaper or magazine, and now and then looking up at the two little ones. Before he knew it, the sun grew even hotter.

The kids’ skin was too delicate to endure the sun’s burning rays, and before long, they turned into two little red lobsters.

Bundchen and Theron were chatting and laughing as they each carried one of the children back to the beach.

"Who was that guy just now?" Ms. Bundchen asked.

"David Ellison. Didn’t you recognize him?" Richard reached out and took Louis. "Wow, you’re so hot, Louis. You’re on fire."

"Giggle, Daddy, I’m on fire," Louis laughed.

"Quick, have some water to put out the fire," Richard said, taking out a bottle of iced drink and touching it to his shoulder.

"Wow, so cool!" Louis laughed as he pushed the bottle away.

"Daddy~ Daddy~, why aren't you playing in the water?" Little Annie broke free from Ms. Theron's hand and ran over, jumping into his arms.

"Haha, another little red hot person." Richard hugged her and blew on her flushed skin. "You two mothers have some nerve, letting them stay out there until they turned red."

"Hmph, you dare blame us? You said we were just going for a walk, and as soon as we got here, you lay down and didn’t move. Are you eighty?" Ms. Theron retorted.

Richard chuckled. "I like lying here enjoying the view. Sometimes I look at the sea, sometimes at the clouds, sometimes at Annie and Louis, and sometimes at the two of you. It’s such a beautiful scene that I don’t feel like moving."

"Tsk, you’re just lazy, trying to make it sound poetic. I despise you. Let’s go, Sally. We’re heading home," Ms. Bundchen glanced at him before picking up Louis and walking away.

"Haha, we’ll be off then. You can stay here and admire the view," Ms. Theron said as she carried Annie away.

Richard smiled. Before they met, he worried they might clash. Now that they were getting along, he worried they would gang up on him. It was quite a dilemma.

Putting on his sunglasses, Richard left the beach too.

Batman had been out for a week, earning $118 million at the box office and taking the weekly crown. Coming in second was Harry Potter 4, which had made $86.17 million the previous week, showing strong momentum.

With the film's good box office performance, the distributor ramped up the promotional efforts. Richard left Hawaii to do two days of promotional work before returning to continue his vacation.

He found this lifestyle very enjoyable.

In the past, after finishing one film, he would have to start the next one immediately, sometimes juggling filming, promotion, and preparing for competitions, which nearly ran him ragged. Now, without any movie commitments or much work, he could focus on training, spending time with his kids, and vacationing by the sea. This was the best kind of life.

Soon, the second week's box office results came in. Batman led with over $67 million, while Harry Potter 4, in its third week, grossed another $62 million, bringing its total to $254 million, just $20 million shy of Mr. & Mrs. Smith, the year's second-highest-grossing film.

By the third week, competition in the holiday season intensified, with two major releases: the fantasy epic The Chronicles of Narnia, distributed by Buena Vista, and Universal's big-budget King Kong, almost debuting simultaneously.

Along with Harry Potter and Batman, this week saw four blockbusters vying for audience attention, with many keeping a close eye on the weekly box office standings.

To better understand his competitors, Richard took his family to see both movies, finding them quite good, especially King Kong starring Naomi. In her little red dress, she looked like a delicate flower before the giant ape, evoking sympathy.

The third-week box office results soon arrived. The Chronicles of Narnia took the top spot with $65 million in its opening week. Since Buena Vista was a smaller distributor compared to 20th Century Fox, Warner Bros., or Universal, its debut wasn't as impressive.

Coming in second was King Kong with $58 million. The film opened in just over 2,800 theaters but still managed an impressive result.

Batman fell from first to third, earning $24.19 million, bringing its total to $209 million. The fierce competition that week kept Batman from reaching its anticipated $30 million, which was slightly disappointing.

Surprisingly, fourth place didn’t go to Harry Potter 4, but to a low-budget film: Brokeback Mountain, directed by renowned Chinese director Ang Lee. Made on a $15 million budget, it earned over $23 million in its first week.

Given its low-budget, art-house nature and limited release, this result was impressive.

Richard also found time to watch it. Although the movie's subject—same-sex relationships—wasn’t to his taste, he had to admit it was a good film. Compared to previous films that leaned heavily into certain stereotypes, Brokeback Mountain felt refreshingly unique.

At the same time, he felt a pang of regret. Such a dark horse should have belonged to New Century Pictures, but it ended up with Focus Features. Missing out was a real pity.

After watching, he made a point to call Kopelson Productions and urged them to keep an eye out for similar scripts, hoping to discover a sleeper hit.

As December arrived, Richard's schedule got busier. Besides spending time with his family and reviewing data reports and year-end summaries from several companies, he needed to make more time to prepare for an upcoming fight.

Just before Christmas, he would face a heavyweight contender, none other than "Dr. Steelhammer" Klitschko, the IBF champion. The opponent was a towering athlete with a PhD in sports science, making him the most educated boxer in the sport. Reportedly, his IQ was as high as 160, and he possessed a combination of power, technique, and intelligence.

Richard, like the fans, eagerly anticipated the match.

——

(End of chapter)

*Chapter 390: Who Is Stronger?*

On December 22nd, Richard returned to Los Angeles to prepare for the upcoming match.

Louis and Annie enjoyed the island's scenery and weather, frequently playing on the beach. Mrs. Bündchen and Ms. Theron stayed on the island as well, working when they had assignments and vacationing when they didn't. They took turns caring for the children, sharing the responsibilities.

After training in Los Angeles for two days, Richard headed to Las Vegas before Christmas to participate in the WBA-WBC-IBO-IBF unification fight.

Before the match, the media buzzed with reports about him and Vitali Klitschko. Klitschko, 34 years old from Ukraine, had a record of 35 wins and 3 losses out of 38 fights, with 33 wins coming by knockout—a formidable fighter. In June 1999, he won the WBO title by knocking out Hide in two rounds but later lost to Chris Byrd. In 2003, he defeated Paul to claim the IBF belt, defending it successfully four times, becoming a well-known figure in boxing.

With Lennox Lewis retiring and Mike Tyson, Evander Holyfield, and John Ruiz all past their prime, the Klitschko brothers' fame reached the top ranks of the boxing world. In Eastern Europe, their popularity even surpassed Richard's.

The media praised Richard's strength while hyping up Klitschko with titles like "Doctor Ironfist," "the most intelligent in the boxing world," and "the highest educational background." They suggested Richard had finally met his toughest opponent, with a high possibility of defeat.

The hype generated much suspense for the match. Television networks worldwide vied for broadcasting rights, and all 35,000 tickets sold out on the first day of pre-sales.

On Saturday night, amid a cheering crowd, Richard stepped into the ring and faced Vitali Klitschko. Klitschko stood at 202 cm with a 208 cm reach, while Richard was 186 cm tall with a 196 cm reach, putting him at a disadvantage in height and reach.

Once the fight began, Klitschko initiated the attack, unleashing powerful punches like sledgehammers. Richard, however, kept his cool, using his nimble footwork and quick dodges to evade 36 consecutive punches. After a flurry of hits, Klitschko's stamina waned, slowing his pace.

Seeing the opportunity, Richard swiftly delivered a quick, forceful uppercut to Klitschko's chin, forcing him to stagger back several steps, crashing into the ropes.

Boom! The crowd erupted in cheers at Richard's successful strike, electrifying the atmosphere.

Richard pressed forward, throwing punches from both sides, but Klitschko guarded his head tightly. When his defense was about to crumble, he resorted to clinching, and the referee separated them.

The fight continued.

Realizing Richard's strength, Klitschko shifted his strategy from aggressive offense to active defense, holding his head tightly whenever Richard threw punches. Klitschko's 16 cm height advantage made it difficult for Richard to land clean shots on vital areas like the forehead, temples, eyes, and nose.

With his opponent's tight defense, Richard increased the tempo, searching for an opening by continually striking Klitschko's arms and gloves with more than 30 heavy punches. On the 35th punch, Richard broke through Klitschko's defense, landing another powerful blow to his chin.

Klitschko stumbled back, eventually sitting on the canvas, prompting another round of cheers from the audience.

In the second round, Klitschko continued with a defensive counter-punching strategy, becoming more nimble in his movements, constantly repositioning in the ring, and creating challenges for Richard. Richard, full of energy, maintained an offensive approach, launching a mix of uppercuts, hooks, jabs, and crosses towards Klitschko.

Finally, in the third round, he landed another hit on Klitschko's chin, drawing blood from his mouth. But Richard also took some hits. Klitschko's long arms, speed, and smart fighting style, combined with his height advantage, landed over ten punches on Richard, including some to the forehead, causing significant damage.

The crowd never stopped shouting and cheering for both fighters.

In previous matches, Richard often dominated his opponents, typically finishing them within three or four rounds. After his fight with Lennox Lewis in 2003, few could inflict any real harm on him. Klitschko's performance earned the audience's recognition.

“Klitschko is too tall; Richard is having trouble landing solid punches,” John Ruiz said, stroking his chin.

“Haha, yes, Richard has finally met a tough opponent,” Holyfield clapped and laughed.

Richard's previous fights were almost always one-sided, often concluding in three or four rounds. It was often said that Richard made money fast, earning millions in under ten minutes. But against Klitschko, a quick victory was unlikely.

“Klitschko is fighting smart,” Ruiz remarked. “He knows Richard hits hard, with speed and precision. At first, he went on the offensive to provoke Richard's counterattacks. Then, he switched to a solid defense to exhaust Richard. If he can last several rounds, he might have a chance to win.”

“Tough,” Holyfield mused. “Richard is known for his stamina, even after 12 rounds. His punches are brutal; few can take them. It's going to be difficult for Klitschko to wear him down.”

Boom, boom, boom!

In the ring, Richard moved with agile footwork, circling Klitschko, looking for openings, while Klitschko kept a wary eye on him, throwing heavy punches toward Richard's head.

In the fourth round, Richard ignored Klitschko’s punches and suddenly lunged forward, landing another punch on Klitschko's left chin. Simultaneously, Klitschko’s punch hit Richard's forehead.

Bang! Bang!

Both fighters took hits, but because Richard was slightly faster, his punch connected first. Klitschko's punch, initially aimed at Richard's nose, veered upwards, grazing his forehead due to the impact.

Richard staggered three steps back, while Klitschko stumbled to his right, nearly falling.

Wow! The crowd of tens of thousands gasped in unison, the cheers nearly blowing the roof off.

“This is one thrilling fight,” said Mayweather, watching the ring. “In Richard’s previous matches, the fights were one-sided and less exciting. This time, Klitschko has the height advantage and good defense. Richard will have a hard time winning quickly.”

“Yes, his height makes things difficult; the punches don't land with full power. The Klitschko brothers and Nikolai Valuev have used this kind of advantage to become famous champions. Richard might need to push himself a bit more to beat Klitschko,” Paul said, staring at the ring.

Paul had previously fought Klitschko and was driven back multiple times, eventually losing the IBF title. Although he acknowledged Klitschko's skills, the loss still stung. He hoped Richard would emerge victorious.

“Go, Richard!”

Bang!

Bang!

On the boxing ring, Richard kept swinging his fists, aiming for his opponent's chin.

It wasn’t intentional; Klitschko was just too tall, making the chin an easier target. Plus, for many boxers, the chin is a vulnerable spot.

Klitschko took a hit, and his mouthguard flew out as blood trickled from the corner of his mouth.

Richard stepped back a few paces, leaning against the ropes. He had taken a few punches to the forehead, leaving him slightly dazed, with some redness on the right side of his face.

Fighting a tall boxer wasn’t easy. Straight punches to the front weren’t effective—such attacks were more suitable for opponents no more than 15 centimeters taller.

To hit Klitschko with a straight punch, Richard would have to stand on his toes or even jump, but if he did, he would lose speed and agility, making him an easy target.

Uppercuts weren’t much easier. Whenever he tried to land one on Klitschko’s chin, the tall boxer would lean back slightly, avoiding the punch.

Even if Klitschko didn’t dodge completely, the motion of lifting his head would significantly reduce the impact.

Against average-sized boxers, Richard’s uppercut could easily knock them out, but its power diminished when facing taller opponents. The taller they were, the harder it was to land a solid hit.

After four rounds of attack and probing, Richard found that jabs were more effective. They were quick and flexible, like a hidden dagger that could catch the opponent off guard when combined with powerful straight and hook punches.

Having tested the waters, Richard had a clearer understanding of Klitschko’s abilities. His punches packed quite a punch, comparable to Paul's.

Klitschko's quick reflexes were impressive; he transitioned seamlessly between offense and defense. For a boxer standing at 202 centimeters, this was a valuable skill, one of the reasons behind his numerous achievements in boxing.

Moreover, his strategy was smart, likely due to a high level of intelligence. He had clearly spent a lot of time studying Richard’s style and techniques before the match, simulating his moves to avoid getting flustered like other boxers.

His intelligence also had the advantage of allowing him to adapt tactics flexibly during the match without relying on his coach’s instructions. Klitschko could counter Richard’s attacks in a more effective way.

Thud, thud, thud!

Richard kept up the assault. He switched his target from Klitschko’s chin to his chest and abdomen, employing a move called "liver shot."

Richard’s punches were heavy. At first, Klitschko didn’t pay much attention, but after taking two solid hits, he realized Richard’s power. His left rib felt as if it had been slammed into, aching and making it difficult to catch his breath.

Klitschko no longer dared to neglect defending his lower body, bending over to protect his chest and abdomen.

But this posture lowered his stance, giving Richard an opportunity. A powerful punch landed squarely on Klitschko’s face.

Bang!

Klitschko went down again, taking six seconds to get back up.

The fight resumed.

The audience, seeing such an intense bout, stood up and cheered loudly, rooting for both fighters.

“Haha, keep it up! Just like that! Go, Richard!”

In the stands, Andy clapped his hands and shouted.

“This is looking pretty good,” said Bob Ruiz, a manager. “Both of them look impressive. I think they should fight again.”

“You’re right. Richard's previous opponents, John Ruiz, Holyfield, Chris Byrd—they were all formidable but didn’t have a height advantage. Richard had an easier time against them.

But now, facing the tall Klitschko, it’s not so easy. After this match, many will feel sorry for Klitschko and will want to see them fight again. I bet the prize for the rematch won’t be any less than for the first fight.”

Andy chuckled.

Bob Ruiz nodded slightly in agreement. Currently, almost all of the country’s well-known boxers had been defeated by Richard, making it hard to find him a suitable opponent.

Now that Klitschko was giving him a tough fight, it showed he was a worthy adversary. It would be a shame to have just one match; a rematch could attract even more spectators with a "revenge match" theme.

“I think the next fight could take place in Ukraine,” Bob Ruiz pondered.

“Haha, you’re right. Let’s discuss the rematch with their team once this match is over,” Andy replied with a laugh.

“Hey, aren’t you getting ahead of yourselves? Richard hasn’t won yet,” Paul interjected.

“Uh, do you think Richard can’t beat Klitschko?” Andy frowned.

“Not exactly, but Klitschko still has a chance to win, doesn’t he?” Paul shrugged.

“Fine, fine, let’s just wait and see who wins,” Andy said, turning his attention back to the ring.

Bang!

Just as he looked up, Richard landed another punch on Klitschko, a solid blow that sent the 250-pound boxer crashing heavily to the ground.

“Wow!”

The crowd gasped as Richard knocked down the massive Klitschko.

“Damn, that punch was insane!” John Ruiz exclaimed.

“It sure was. Not many in the boxing world could take a punch like that,” Holyfield said, rubbing his chin in relief. He was glad that punch wasn’t aimed at him; otherwise, he’d have been sent flying even higher.

“Ten, nine, eight, seven, six, five, four, three, two, one!”

The referee counted to ten, and Klitschko remained on the ground, unable to get up.

Richard had won the match, successfully defending his WBA title for the ninth time, his WBC title for the sixth time, and also claiming the IBF title.

His personal record now stood at 41 wins, 41 victories by KO, just a few wins away from legendary boxer Rocky Marciano’s 49-0 record.

(End of the chapter)