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.

I know I

in his eyes. "I'm sorry, I've done all

takes, just help me win

Lucius shook his

Win?

a

against Nadine

is try to negotiate a settlement, not keep you out

widened. Was it

crossing paths

part on good terms, and it

down

...

the hospital, ensuring everything

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

beautiful!" Madge took

a feast at home and even set up a large fire pit with sage for

chase away the bad luck and welcome

life? I'm not

be a fiery, thriving

up, Madge and Roseanne settled on the

about Nadine's situation, Madge shook

for her, she had