Domination in America, Starting from being a Boxing Champion

After leaving the bar, Link took advantage of the nice weather and drove around New York.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

Having been in New York for over three months, he was usually busy training and competing and had never appreciated the scenery along the streets.

Today happened to be a bright, sunny day. The sky was tile blue, with the occasional airplane flying across; its long contrail took a long time to dissipate. The winter sunlight was as clear as mountain spring water, shining on the central business district of Manhattan.

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Those skyscrapers that are usually hidden in the clouds revealed their full appearance today, such as the Empire State Building, Rockefeller Center, Chrysler Building, and Thompson Building, all passing by the car window in succession.

Because Christmas was around the corner, the streets were filled with Christmas trees, Christmas lights, and Santa Claus dolls, all in bright red, green, and white, exuding a festive atmosphere.

As he drove past the Thompson building, he remembered something and called Miss Thompson to ask how her arranged meeting was going.

After the last party, Eva had told him that Mr. Thompson had hosted a large party in Atlantic City, inviting many heirs from wealthy families in New Jersey. He wanted her to choose a marriage partner from among them.

The Thompson real estate was facing a financial crisis with severe losses, and many of their assets were on the brink of bankruptcy. Mr. Thompson hoped to solve his family's troubles through her marriage.

Eva disapproved of this arrangement, which is why she had him act as a shield.

When Eva heard his teasing, she snorted coldly, "Link, if I get married, I won't be able to continue working at Universal Records. Do you want that? So you'd better pray I don't get married."

"Yes, you are a great partner, and I don't want you to leave. So, I'm prepared to go to church and pray you never get married."

"Jerk, I said 'temporarily,' not 'forever.' I also pray you stay single forever, and that your relationships with any woman never last more than a year."

"Is that so vicious?"

"You started the malicious attack first."

Eva strongly retorted.

Link shook his head, feeling dizzy from arguing with a woman.

"Graham said you haven't been to the company for a long time. They want to use money but there's no one to sign off on it."

"Then you go sign. Besides Universal Records, I have two jewelry stores, a fast-food product, a branded shoe store, a reality show, and I'm also the vice-president of the Thompson Group. Oh—I'm too busy. You think I'm like you, having nothing to do all day and can drive around aimlessly?"

"Are you flaunting your wealth to me?"

"Do I need to do that?"

"Honestly, no need, given that I am an Olympic champion, world boxing champion, renowned singer, and vice-president of two companies. Your wealth flaunting isn't going to affect me."

Link joked.

"Hmm, you really are a jerk. I used to think you were a gentleman, but now I've changed my mind. You're no different from those guys at the party who love to brag about themselves."

Eva said, half laughing.

Link shrugged his shoulders and started to discuss serious matters with her.

"Eva, Graham told me that 'Despacito's' sales figures for the first month are out. It sold 114,208 copies in the United States and 388,000 overseas, but the overseas revenue hasn't been received. Remember to contact Universal Records to ensure they transfer the funds on time, as the company is short on cash right now."

Initially, when 'Despacito' was released, the domestic part was distributed by the marketing department of Universal Records, and the international distribution rights were given to Universal Records. Each copy sold by Universal Records could earn a 33% share, which was less than the domestic share, but since Universal Records was newly established, they could only settle for this.

"Understood. When will your new album be finished? Releasing singles alone won't open the market, and the company won't make much profit, so the first album is crucial."

"The fourteen songs have already been gathered. Recording and post-production take about a month, and promotion needs time too, so it will probably be around March or April next year."

"That's too slow. I want to see a complete album before February, and it must be on shelves by March."

"Aren't you being too impatient?"

"If someone were forcing you to marry, you'd be impatient too."

"Okay, for your freedom and happiness, Graham and I will go to the recording studio to practice singing tomorrow."

Link laughed.

After chatting for half an hour, Link said goodbye. Just after hanging up, he received a call from James.

James asked if he was coming back to Miami for Christmas.

Link said he didn't have time yet. He would head back to enjoy the sun after recording the first album.

"Yes, you've become a big star now. Every day you have to accept invitations, go out to perform. I know, I've watched those celebrity talk shows."

James said.

Link smiled gently, acknowledging that he wasn't very famous in the music scene yet and didn't have much going on, but after his debut album was released, he anticipated getting calls every day.

"Why don't you come to New York after Christmas? I need a personal assistant, how does a monthly salary of twenty thousand US Dollars sound?"

"To New York? No, no, I've heard it's very dangerous there, with daily gunfights. You could get robbed just for going out to buy a hot dog,"

James said.

"You should stop reading those tabloids, New York is much safer than Miami. I've been here in New York for two months and haven't encountered a single shooting…"

Bang! Bang! Bang!

Just as he was speaking, three loud blasts sounding like car tires bursting, but shriller, echoed from the block ahead, making one's heart skip a beat.

"Link, Link, what was that sound? Was there a shootout?" James shouted excitedly over the phone.

"No, it must be a car tire blowing out."

Link saw the vehicles ahead stopping and also turned on his hazard lights to park by the roadside, looking out the window, all the vehicles on West 43rd Street were halted and pedestrians were retreating.

"Impossible, how could three tires blow out at the same time? It has to be a gunfight. You should come back, Link, New York is too dangerous. I'm just calling you and I can hear gunshots, there must be shootings there every day."

Link was speechless, and couldn't really explain anything. He exchanged a few words with James and then hung up.

The noises had come from a bar, apparently some trouble was brewing there, everything was chaotic.

Link, having no interest in the commotion, saw Dino Duva, Mario, and Morales approaching from across the street while he was backing up his car.

"Hey, over here!"

Link called out, lowering his car window.

"Link? What are you doing here?" Dino waved and shouted.

"Just shopping."

Link invited the three into his car and asked Mario and Morales, "Christmas is coming up soon, I'm planning to take a few days off, what are your plans?"

"I'm going home The Day After Tomorrow," Morales said.

Mario, with his big belly, said, "I'm planning to continue training to participate in the Gold Glove Tournament next year, and this time I must make it to the finals."

Link shook his head and started the car, "You're pretty skilled and strong, with a B+ in durability. It's hard to make a mark in the Heavyweight category, you might consider losing more than ten pounds and competing in the Cruiserweight category where there are not many masters."

"I think Link is right," Morales nodded.

"Losing weight? That's too hard," Mario scratched his ugly face and said.

Link didn't try to persuade him further and looked at Dino, "Take that sports car you left at my place and drive it back. I have a car, I don't need a sports car."

Last time, after finishing the property transfer, Dino had parked a Ferrari F50 sports car in his garage, claiming it was a gift, but Link, having a car and savings, wasn't very interested in sports cars.

"We teamed up to bet and made millions, that sports car is your share of the winnings, only worth a little over three hundred thousand. If you don't want it, you can throw it in a car graveyard, I don't mind," Dino shrugged and said with a laugh.

Link was helpless, his two brothers always liked to forcefully give people gifts, not knowing where they picked up this bad habit.

"Give me the car purchase contract and I'll write you a check, otherwise next time during the match, I won't tell you which round will win."

"Link, I've decided, I want to lose weight and fight in the Cruiserweight category,"

Mario suddenly declared, clenching his fist.

Link, Dino, and Morales looked at him strangely, not understanding why he suddenly yelled.

"I want to be a boxing champion too, I want a Ferrari, and I want a yacht too,"

Mario clenched his teeth, as if making a huge decision.

"I'm also planning to enter next year's nationwide boxing championship, without Link there, I'm confident I can win the title,"

Morales said, flexing his arm muscles.

Dino looked at Link, then at the two of them, annoyed, "Are you guys crazy? I'm talking about sports cars with Link, why are you suddenly bringing this up? You all have goals, what should I be doing?"

Link smiled gently, dropped the three off at the subway station, and drove home.