When fate plays its hand

Winston pressed play, and the recording began.

“Do you think Mrs. Jiver would sign all those famous authors for no reason? She wouldn’t just hand out free money unless there was something to gain…

“With those rights in hand, she can repackage them and make easy money… She doesn’t need to notify them… she pockets all the cash…”

The more Edith listened, the darker her expression grew. She recognized the voice immediately; her own staff!

it was

“Backstabbing dogs!” she hissed while grinding her teeth. “Where did this recording come from?” Winston replied, “The victim’s daughter provided it. These two employees have agreed to testify and supply key evidence, so… this puts you in a very difficult position.”

Edith had thought Mindy would, at most, accuse her of assault. After all, Edith hadn’t actually pushed her, so at worst, she’d be charged with property damage and might need to pay a fine.

But this… Mindy was suing her for copyright infringement?

“Ungrateful traitor!” Edith snapped. “After everything I invested in her, she turns and bites me! Mr. Nairn, what’s our next step?”

Winston looked at her directly. “I need an honest answer. Did you or did you not secretly exploit the authors’ derivative rights, selling them without informing the authors and profiting from the sales?”

Edith’s eyes flickered. “I followed the contract….

“Just answer–yes or no. I need the truth if I’m going to help you.”

Edith bit her lip, and finally, she nodded under his intense gaze. “Yes.” This content © 2024 NôvelDrama.Org.

Even though he’d suspected it, Winston was still shocked. “Where’d you get such audacity?”

“I signed them, so why shouldn’t I control their work? I’m not running a charity, I need to make money too!”

“Under the Copyright Law, you’re allowed to manage books they wrote after signing with you–that’s fine. But you exploited their older works, the ones with existing copyright ownership! You’re an experienced professional. Didn’t you understand that?” Winston scolded.

Edith sneered. “I’ve been doing this for years without issue. And new books? These authors can barely produce anything new, and even if they do, who says it I sell?”

Winston took a deep breath, unwilling to argue further. I’ll do my best to push for an out–of–court settlement. Compensation, apologies–whatever it takes. There’s no point in dragging this to court-” “Why should I?” Edith cut him off. “I’m not paying anything! She wants a fight? Fine! Let’s see who’s left standing in the end.”

Winston stared, feeling stunned. “Do you even know what you’re saying? If you lose in court, the compensation-” It would become more than a settlement!

But Edith didn’t listen. “She’s suing me? I’ll see her in court, and we’ll see who comes out worse!”

Winston grew silent. He thought, “Not even God Himself can save this fool.”

When Miranda received word that Edith had refused to settle, she wasn’t surprised. If Edith was the type to back down easily, she wouldn’t be Edith Jiver.

“Mom, take your time with breakfast. I’ll step out to make a call.”

“Alright.” Mindy smiled and nodded from the hospital bed.

Miranda dialed Warren and said, “As we thought, Edith won’t settle ”

Warren let out a scoff. “In all my years, I’ve never seen someone so stubborn.”

Miranda replied, “If she won’t take this last chance, then let’s move forward with the plan.”

“Got it. I’ll set everything in motion.”

On Edith’s third day in detention, Winston returned. She thought he’d bring good news, but instead….