Chapter 178 – Getting You Was Worth It
As December arrived, Hollywood grew increasingly electric.
Franklin Templeton had expressed its willingness to partner with Aaron Anderson to acquire Victoria's Secret, but Les Wexner showed little interest in selling the brand.
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West Hollywood — Angel Theatre, Office
Jack Wells played a recording for Aaron.
"There's some racial undertone in it," Jack said, "but it's not vicious enough."
Aaron nodded.
"Donald Sterling is a billionaire. This kind of evidence won't force him to fold."
"So what do we do?" Jack poured him a drink. Billionaires were never easy to deal with—especially old-money ones like Sterling.
"You got this from an escort, right?" Aaron asked.
Jack nodded.
Aaron rubbed his chin thoughtfully.
"It would be best if someone could guide him into saying something truly damning."
Jack blinked, then grinned.
"Then we'd better find a Black escort."
---
Back at Dawnlight Pictures, director Edward Zwick brought Aaron a screenplay.
It was an adaptation of Jim Harrison's novel *Legends of the Fall.*
"Aaron," Zwick said, "I've wanted to adapt this for years. Now's the time."
After finishing *Ghost,* Zwick had devoted himself to the script, which was now essentially complete.
Aaron skimmed through it and nodded.
"It's solid. Dawnlight will back this project."
"You can start assembling the crew and casting right away."
If Aaron remembered correctly, *Legends of the Fall* had been a strong film—one that launched Brad Pitt into another level of stardom.
After Zwick left, Aaron's assistant Evelyn Beckett entered.
"Mr. Anderson, Sidney Ganis from Columbia TriStar hopes you'll lead the cast to Japan to promote *Bram Stoker's Dracula.*"
Aaron pressed his temples.
"I know. Ganis already brought it up at the banquet."
---
Japan was the second-largest film market in the world outside North America—Hollywood's most valued overseas territory.
Aaron had never been there. With the film's lavish costume design carrying a strong Eastern aesthetic, it was likely to perform well in Japan.
The movie's North American box office had been lukewarm. With a $40 million production budget and over $30 million in marketing, its domestic total would probably stall around $80 million—far from breakeven.
The international market would decide everything.
Despite Japan's post–bubble economic downturn, its economy still stood at an astonishing $2.98 trillion, accounting for 15.63% of global GDP—second only to the United States.
---
Soon after, Aaron traveled to Japan with Francis Ford Coppola, Gary Oldman, and Winona Ryder.
At the Imperial Hotel in Tokyo, *Bram Stoker's Dracula* held a grand press conference that drew massive media attention.
Coppola even invited legendary Japanese filmmaker Akira Kurosawa, who had received the Academy Honorary Award two years earlier—the first Asian recipient, presented by Steven Spielberg and George Lucas.
---
That night, in the hotel suite, Aaron and Winona Ryder moved with effortless familiarity.
Clothes fell away, and soon the room filled with low growls and breathless cries—heat and passion surging unchecked.
Later, in the bathtub, Aaron held Winona close as steam rose around them. After a long, searing kiss, both were left breathless.
"Wasn't the bed enough?" Winona murmured weakly, her face flushed.
"Maybe it's my first time in Japan," Aaron replied, his hands roaming lazily. "Feels… different."
He looked out at Tokyo's glowing skyline.
"It might snow soon."
"I heard you're not heading back right away," Winona said, nestling into his arms. "Are you staying here?"
"Yes. I'll stay a few days," Aaron said quietly.
"I already got a visa for China. I want to take a look."
"And Hong Kong cinema—right now, it's the only industry that can really compete with Hollywood."
Winona smiled.
"I still have European promotions to attend. I won't stay long here. But I hear Japanese hot springs are incredible—this is the perfect season for them."
Aaron nodded.
"Yeah. Shame I won't get the chance."
He leaned close and whispered into her ear,
"After breaking up with Johnny Depp… haven't you thought about starting something new?"
Winona shook her head, then looked up at him.
"And what about this time with you?"
Aaron smiled faintly.
"Does this really count?"
Winona closed her eyes.
"Still… thank you. Without you, I don't think I'd have made it through."
She had loved Depp deeply—but his infidelity was part of who he was.
Aaron silenced her with a kiss, and she responded instinctively.
"Why thank me?" he said softly.
"I got you, didn't I? And now… I almost don't want to let you go."
Winona laughed quietly.
"You've got plenty of women. There will only be more."
"This place suits you better than it ever did me."
Aaron said nothing—only smiled.