Love Burned, She Rose Unscathed

Press play-

"You really think Ms. Gordon signs all those big-name authors just for fun? If there wasn't a hefty profit in it... by exploiting those premium book rights... she wouldn't even bother to notify the authors... just pockets everything herself..."

Nadine's face grew darker with each word, recognizing the voice as belonging to one of her own employees!

"That backstabbing rat!" she hissed, grinding her teeth, "Where did this recording come from?" Lawyer: "The victim's daughter provided it. In the recording, these two employees also agreed to testify and provided crucial evidence. So... the current situation is quite unfavorable for you."

Nadine thought, at worst, Madge would only sue her for personal injury, and since she hadn't physically pushed her, she expected at most to be charged with property damage and pay some compensation. But to be sued for copyright infringement!

Nadine: "Ungrateful wretch! After all the money I spent signing her, and now she turns around and bites me! Mr. Lucius, what do we do now?"

Mr. Lucius looked her straight in the eye: "I need the truth from you now-did you, or did you not, operate the authors' derivative rights behind their backs, selling them off without notification?"

Nadine's gaze flickered: "I've always acted within the contract..."

"All I need is a yes or no. Be honest, and I can help you."

Biting her lip under his gaze, Nadine finally nodded: "...Yes."

Even though Mr. Lucius had anticipated the answer, he was still taken aback: "How could you?!"

"I signed them, shouldn't their works benefit me? I'm not running a charity here, I need to make a profit!" "Under the Copyright Law, you're allowed to operate the books they create after signing with you, that's fine. But you've been dealing with their pre-signing works, which have their own copyrights! You've been in this industry long enough, don't you understand that?"

Nadine scoffed: "I've been doing this for years without a hitch. Operate new books? Whether these authors can even produce new works is a gamble, and even if they do, is there a guarantee they'll be hits?"

Mr. Lucius took a deep breath, trying

not to argue: "I'll do my best to settle out of court. We'll compensate where we need to and apologize where we must. There's no need to take this to court-"

"Why should I?" Nadine interrupted, "Why should I pay? They want to sue, then let's go to court!" Mr. Lucius was shocked: "Do you realize what you're saying? If you lose, the compensation—"

But Nadine wouldn't listen: "She

sues

worse off!" Content bendnet

see it through to the

The lawyer thought to himself: Not even divine intervention can save fools, truly.

When Roseanne received news of Nadine's refusal to settle, she wasn't surprised.

If it were easy to make Nadine bow, she wouldn't be Nadine.

"Mom, eat slowly. I'm going to step out to make a call."

"Okay." Madge nodded with a smile from her hospital bed.

Roseanne dialed Stoner's number-

"We were right, Nadine doesn't want to settle."

Stoner chuckled coldly: "I've been in this industry for years, but this is the first time I've seen someone so stubbornly refuse to see sense."

swnovel

Roseanne: "Since she doesn't cherish this last chance, let's proceed with our original plan."

"Alright, I'll arrange everything."

On the third day in the detention center, Mr. Lucius appeared again.

Nadine thought he might bring good news, but unexpectedly-