Love Burned, She Rose Unscathed

Chapter 666

"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.

Lucius, please... I know I

at her, pity in his eyes. "I'm sorry, I've

whatever it takes, just help me win

shook his

Win?

was a

they had against Nadine could easily

do is try to negotiate a settlement, not keep you out of jail."

widened. Was it really that

regretted ever crossing paths

good terms, and it wouldn't have

broke down

...

stint in the hospital, ensuring everything was alright,

up from the hospital. "Mom, your favorite lavender roses to celebrate your

you, honey! They're beautiful!"

prepared a feast at home and even set up

the bad luck and welcome a smooth sailing, prosperous

chuckled. "Prosperous life? I'm

it be

cleaned up, Madge and Roseanne settled on the living

Nadine's situation, Madge shook her head, not a bit

for her,