Love Burned, She Rose Unscathed

"Your shenanigans have hit the internet, and now I've got a legion of authors banding together to sue you! They've got enough dirt to bury us in court, Nadine. If we end up in front of a judge, we're toast, no two ways about it!"

Nadine's eyes widened in shock. "How... How did this happen? Who put it online?! I thought it was just Madge coming after me. Why are the others...?"

"Did it ever cross your mind that shutting down a settlement would spread like wildfire? Other authors you've wronged would catch wind and eventually gang up for a piece of the pie!"

A legion of authors... all wanting compensation...

Even Nadine, who wasn't the sharpest tool in the shed, knew this wouldn't just be chump change.

"Mr. Lucius, please, go tell Madge I'm open to settling. Whatever she wants, we can negotiate!"

"Too late! I reached out to Madge's daughter before coming here, and she's not interested in settling anymore."

"But... but why? Last time she was still willing to..."

Mr. Lucius sighed. "Opportunities knock but once. Miss it, and it's gone. The world doesn't revolve around what you want, when you want it."

Nadine felt a cold sweat break out, her legs turning to jelly.

This online exposure meant her reputation was mud. Even if she somehow crawled out of this mess,

there was no way she could continue in this industry.

And the looming financial ruin was enough to bankrupt her.

"Mr. Lucius, please... I know I messed up... Please, think of something..."

Mr. Lucius looked at her, pity in his eyes. "I'm sorry, I've done all I can."

"I'll pay whatever it takes, just help me win this case!"

Mr. Lucius shook his head slowly.

Win?

That was a pipe dream.

The evidence they had against Nadine could easily land her behind bars!

"All I can do is try to negotiate a settlement, not keep you out of jail." Jail?!

Nadine's eyes widened. Was it really that serious?

She regretted ever crossing paths with Madge...

Like they say, part on good terms, and it wouldn't have come to this.

Nadine broke down in tears.

...

After a two-day stint in the hospital, ensuring everything was alright, Madge was discharged.

Roseanne picked her up from the hospital. "Mom, your favorite lavender roses to celebrate your discharge."

"Thank you, honey! They're beautiful!" Madge took the flowers.

Norris had prepared a feast at home and even set up a large fire pit with sage for smudging.

"Come on, jump over it. Let's chase away the bad luck and welcome a smooth sailing, prosperous life ahead!"

Madge chuckled. "Prosperous life? I'm not an actress..."

"Then let it be a fiery, thriving life!"

After dinner, as Norris cleaned up, Madge and Roseanne settled on the living room couch to watch TV.

Talking about Nadine's situation, Madge shook her head, not a bit sympathetic.

Lucky for her, she had quickly

ccript. But Nadine had

laptop that dayet

her

crossed a line.

"Mom, leave it to me and Stoner."

"Stoner? He's involved too?"

Roseanne nodded.

The recording was Stoner's ace in the hole.

From the moment Madge signed with him, he'd been laying the groundwork.

Had Nadine backed down gracefully, Madge wouldn't have pursued matters further. But Nadine chose to play hardball, and now she had to face the music.

Stoner was known in the industry for being fiercely protective of his clients.

Even the sudden surge of authors joining the lawsuit was Stoner's doing. He'd personally reached out to each one, even fronting money for their legal fees, ready for a

drawn-out battle. en FindNovel