"In the original script, there really wasn't a kissing scene."
The reporter's eyes lit up the moment he heard Anne's answer — he could barely hide his grin.
"But I thought the ending would feel more complete with one, so I personally suggested adding it."
Her words stunned the reporter into silence.
He had paid good money for inside information saying that the kiss scene was added at the director Rob Cohen's request.
So why would Anne Hathaway take the blame herself?
Even if she wanted to avoid the truth, she didn't need to shoulder the controversy on her own.
Luke was surprised too.
He knew a lot about Anne Hathaway's later career — she was the kind of woman who always smiled gracefully in public, perfectly polished, careful never to show a single flaw.
But that same effort to seem perfect made her feel too perfect, too artificial, which eventually turned many Western audiences against her. They began to see her every action as pretentious and calculated.
Whether or not she was actually "fake" stopped mattering — people simply didn't want to see someone that flawless.
Humans are naturally imperfect, and watching someone who seems spotless only reminds them how messy their own lives are.
In short, Anne was a smart, refined egoist — not the kind of person who'd normally make such a self-sacrificing statement.
"Are you sure it was you who suggested that scene?" the reporter pressed.
"Yes," Anne replied confidently. "I was very happy to work with Mr. Luke, and I look forward to collaborating with him again in the future."
That was like pouring gasoline on a fire — words guaranteed to enrage a whole group of old, conservative Hollywood men.
Anne had just taken all the pressure off Luke and placed it squarely on herself. Even Luke had to admit he owed her a big favor for that.
The frustrated reporter wasn't done yet. Next, he went after Tyson.
"Mr. Tyson, did you see Anne Hathaway's response?"
"I saw it," Tyson said coolly. "It's a shame. All I can say is, her taste is terrible. She's never been with a real man, that's why she's into that pretty boy."
His arrogance was dripping from every word.
It was that same old toxic line: 'You don't like men? That's because you haven't tried me.'
Dark humor aside, the punchline worked regardless of gender.
The reporter continued to bait him: "You're calling Luke a pretty boy? But he's known as a fearless action actor. In GG, his octagon scenes looked authentic — and people say he's an actual martial arts expert."
"Hahaha!" Tyson burst out laughing, full of mockery.
"Am I wrong, Mr. Tyson?"
"Of course you are. You've been fooled by that kung fu nonsense. What kung fu? It's just fancy posing!"
"You can't say that," the reporter countered. "Bruce Lee's skills were absolutely real."
"Bruce Lee? Please! He's human, isn't he? Humans follow the laws of physics. What could a 130-pound man do in a real fight?
If we fought without boxing rules, I'd kill him with a single punch!" Tyson said proudly.
(Yes, that's an actual Tyson quote.)
"So if even Bruce Lee doesn't scare you, I guess Luke's just for show too?" the reporter asked, pretending to sound innocent.
"Exactly! In fact, I'll challenge him right now!
If his so-called kung fu is real, he should prove it in the ring!" Tyson sneered, eyes gleaming with malice.
It was a perfect trap.
If Luke accepted, Tyson could beat him half to death in public, drawing massive attention and boosting his own publicity.
If Luke refused, he'd be branded a coward — and Tyson would still win, gaining support from certain circles.
It was a win-win for Tyson.
As for the possibility of losing? That never even crossed his mind.
What a joke!
Even if he wasn't in his prime, Tyson was still a top-tier heavyweight. Luke couldn't match him in size, power, or real combat experience.
How could he possibly win — unless the gods themselves intervened?
"What do you think? You're not seriously considering fighting him, are you?" Mr. Eisen frowned, sliding a printed fight challenge across the table.
"Tell them I accept," Luke replied without hesitation.
"You're an action star, not a fighter. Tyson may be past his peak, but he's still monstrously strong," Eisen said, clearly worried.
"He wants to step on me to make himself relevant again? Then I'll use him to rise even higher. This is an opportunity I can't pass up.
Don't worry — I know he's strong. But I'll win. Trust me."
Eisen sighed. "All right. I'll start the preparations. I'll be waiting to see you prove it."
Luke's tone was calm, but deep down, he held no illusions.
At his peak, Tyson's right hook could generate 800 pounds of force, and his left could still reach 500.
For comparison, the average adult male's punch was barely 100 pounds.
Tyson's terrifying knockout power often ended fights in a single round.
Rumor even claimed he once killed a full-grown bull with a barehanded punch.
Luke knew Tyson's true strength wasn't just in raw numbers — it was in his refined technique and real-world combat instincts.
Most so-called martial artists trained their whole lives without ever engaging in a real fight.
Put them in a ring, let one good punch land, and panic would erase every move they'd ever learned.
Tyson, however, had years of experience and a deadly trademark combo — a lightning-fast left hook followed by a crushing right uppercut — that had dropped countless opponents in seconds.
By Luke's calculations, Tyson's peak "Strength" stat would've been around 20.
Even in decline, he'd still have at least 18.
His "Constitution" — once a solid 17 — was likely still 15, and his "Agility" no less than 14.
The gap between them was enormous.
Tyson was simply built different. His natural talent was what others spent a lifetime trying to achieve. No wonder he was one of history's boxing legends.
Facing an opponent like that, Luke knew he needed to be cautious.
Before stepping into the ring, he planned to break through his current limits — to push beyond his potential cap — and then spend his remaining 4 stat points to give himself every advantage.
He already had a solid plan. Now, it was time to put it to the test.
Packing his essentials into a small backpack, Luke bought a plane ticket to Nashville.
Then, without hesitation, he stepped out the door.