?


    "Your shenanigans have hit the inte, 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 Madgeing 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 wantingpensation...


    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!"


    “Toote! I reached out to Madge''s daughter beforeing 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 easilynd 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 havee 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 favoritevender 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 arge fire pit with sage for smudging.


    “Come on, jump over it. Let''s chase away the bad luck and wee 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


    caughtheipt. But Nadine hadptop that day, saving et


    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 beenying the groundwork.


    ne


    up


    Had Nadine backed down gracefully, Madge wouldn''t have pursued matters further. But Nadine chose to y 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 thewsuit 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.