When Tyson gave his response, every reporter in the room was floored.
They couldn't believe he had the nerve to say something so shameless!
Grateful for getting kicked?
You'd need some serious thick skin to let that slide out of your mouth!
Seeing the reporters' reactions, Tyson just grinned. He'd expected this. Past his prime and with his physical condition slipping, he was ready to hang up his gloves for good. Like Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, he wanted to pivot to acting, and that meant grabbing as much attention as possible.
Sure, saying this was embarrassing, but it was juicy! As long as people were talking about him, it was better than fading into obscurity.
So Tyson doubled down: "You know, Luke and I had our little spar right here in this hall last time. Holding this press conference in the same place today makes me feel like that kick was fate stepping in! It's like a blessing from above! I'm really cherishing this acting gig, so stay tuned for my performance—you won't be disappointed!"
The reporters were even more stunned. They thought Tyson had hit peak shamelessness, but nope, he'd just leveled up! Still, they were thrilled with the headline material he was dishing out.
"Shameless or Sincere? The Fall of a Boxing Champ?"
"Tyson Calls Getting Kicked a Blessing!"
Explosive headlines were already forming in their heads. This press conference was pure gold! Compared to other movie press events—dull as dishwater—Luke's was a full-on feast.
A reporter from The New York Times stood up. "I'd like to ask a question to the beautiful Ms. Yuffie up there."
"Oh! Go ahead!" Yuffie replied, a bit nervous at being called out. This was The New York Times, after all!
Under the table, Luke squeezed her hand, calming her nerves.
"First, I have to say, you're absolutely stunning—the most beautiful East Asian actress I've ever seen. I'm sure you'll light up Luke's movie," the reporter said.
The New York Times had always been on good terms with Luke, so the reporter's tone was friendly. But he wasn't just buttering her up—his compliments were genuine. At 5'7", with a high nose bridge, Yuffie had features that Western audiences loved. Her flawless, porcelain skin was a total game-changer—Western women often envied the smooth, fine texture of East Asian skin, and Yuffie's was next-level.
Add to that her pure, almost ethereal vibe, and you've got a look that's universally adored by men worldwide. It's what made her beauty transcend East and West.
"Thank you for the kind words," Yuffie said, nodding graciously.
"What's the biggest challenge with your role in the movie?" the reporter asked.
"My character isn't some delicate damsel—she's a fierce rose with thorns. She's got some intense, high-impact fight scenes, which will be a challenge for me. But I'm confident I can nail them," Yuffie answered.
Luke smiled and nodded as she settled into her groove, handling the questions with ease. You could critique her acting chops, but you couldn't knock her dedication to action scenes. While other actresses might rely on stunt doubles for tough sequences, Yuffie always insisted on doing her own stunts, even when it meant dangling from wires. In her past life, she'd faced a few close calls and even picked up some lingering injuries because of it.
Luke respected her work ethic. Even if she weren't his girlfriend, she'd still be one of his top picks for an action role among actresses.
As the Times reporter sat down, a Fox News reporter jumped up. "Landing the female lead in a Luke movie is a dream role for any Hollywood actress. How did you, as a relative newcomer, score such a golden opportunity?"
Luke's brow furrowed. The question was loaded, dripping with bad faith. Fox News had never been friendly toward him, and this was no exception. The question was designed to stir up trouble, planting a seed: How did an unknown like Yuffie land this role?
No matter how she answered, the public would lean toward shady assumptions. Did she make a deal with some big shot? Was there a powerful backer pulling strings? Any response could tarnish her image.
Unless… the connection was Luke himself.
Sure, you could say it's still "relying on a man," but there's a difference. Nobody bats an eye when Tom Cruise boosts Nicole Kidman's career—it's just seen as a power couple at work. But if it's some older exec pulling strings, it reeks of a dirty deal, and the actress's reputation takes a hit. When it's a young, romantic partner, though, people think "love story," and the vibe is totally different.
So, how did Yuffie land this plum role?
The question was out there now. If she didn't answer, the public would speculate wildly. If she named some old mogul, her image would tank. But if it was Luke? That's a headline-worthy bombshell!
No matter how she answered, the reporters were eating it up. Yuffie hesitated, unsure how to respond. Then she felt Luke squeeze her hand again, giving her a reassuring nod.
She got the hint and said, "I'm so grateful to Luke for this opportunity. He's the one who handed me this incredible role, and I'm determined to do it justice."
"You two already knew each other?" the reporters buzzed, circling like sharks smelling blood.
"We were high school classmates. We've known each other for years," Yuffie said with a nod.
"And what's your relationship?" a reporter pressed.
"We're fr—" Yuffie started to say, but Luke grabbed the mic.
"She's my girlfriend!"
Luke wasn't hiding his relationship. He wasn't some idol actor selling a fantasy to fans, so he had no issue going public.
The room exploded.
"Whoa! Breaking news!"
"Haha, coming here was so worth it!"
"This press conference just keeps delivering!"
The reporters were over the moon, but up on stage, a warm vibe settled between the two. Luke's answer gave Yuffie a huge sense of security.
Under the table, their hands gripped each other even tighter.