Chapter 338

David Sullivan had gone to school to teach.

Only Isabella was left at home.

Since returning from Kyoto, she had begun brainstorming her new book.

This time, she planned to write a horror novel centered around campus legends.

Her daughter called to invite them to the laboratory's completion ceremony.

Both husband and wife politely declined.

David had classes and couldn't get away.

Isabella needed to seclude herself for writing and couldn't be disturbed.

The story was mostly finished.

The final volume was nearing its conclusion.

She had been secluded recently, rushing to complete the manuscript.

A knocking sound interrupted her deep immersion in the plot.

She walked while still thinking about the storyline.

"You're back early today, don't—"

Editor Moore stood outside the door, smiling.

"Long time no see, Isabella."

Isabella frowned.

"It's you?"

"Aren't you going to invite me in?" Moore Qian glanced inside nonchalantly.

Luxuriously decorated.

It seemed they had truly struck it rich.

Without waiting for Isabella's refusal, she walked in wearing her high heels.

Isabella didn't want to see her.

But the other party wasn't making a scene and was all smiles.

It would be impolite to kick her out.

She also wanted to see what Moore Qian's purpose was today.

"Have a seat." Isabella poured a glass of water and placed it on the coffee table.

After sitting down, Moore Qian looked around.

She carefully examined the villa.

"Isabella, why didn't you tell me you moved? I had to search all over your old place. Your phone is always off. It took a lot of effort to find you here."

Isabella didn't respond to that.

She got straight to the point.

"What do you want?"

"Our contract is almost up. We've had a good partnership these years. Renewing is just a formality. I brought the contract today. It'll be quick, just sign here."

Moore Qian took documents and a pen from her bag.

Isabella laughed.

It was a laugh of anger.

"Editor Moore, that's absurd. First, the contract isn't almost up. It has already expired."

"Second, how good our partnership has been, we both know. Let's skip the pleasantries."

"Knowing all this, you still want me to sign a renewal? Do you really think I'm a fool?"

The Isabella in Moore Qian's memory had always been non-confrontational and serene.

Even during arguments, she was restrained.

She had never been this sharp before.

"Isabella, what do you mean?" Moore Qian looked shocked and hurt. "All these years, we..."

"Editor Moore, I'm not as stupid as you think. You came today because you saw 'Seven-Day Talk,' right? But you were too slow."

It had been almost four months since 'Seven-Day Talk' was published and distributed.

During that time, Moore Qian had only called twice, and both calls were automatically blocked by Isabella's phone.

There had been no other contact.

Isabella said, "I guess you were waiting for me to come begging you to renew, right?"

That's why Moore Qian had calmly left her out in the cold.

If 'Seven-Day Talk' hadn't been a smash hit, Moore Qian would still be ignoring her.

Moore Qian's eyes flickered as she forced a smile.

"Isabella, that's not what I meant. You must have misunderstood me..."

"Drop the act. Let's be frank. I've already signed with another publisher. 'Seven-Day Talk' was published by them. I won't be renewing with you. For the sake of our ten-year history, let's part on good terms."

"Part on good terms?" Moore Qian let out a cold laugh, finally dropping the pretense. "You say 'part' and we part? Who's going to compensate me for my losses?"

"What losses?" Isabella's expression was incredulous.

"I spent so much money to sign you for ten years. For a whole decade, you didn't write a single good book. Then you turn around, sign with someone else, and immediately have a bestseller. Isabella, were you deliberately trying to spite me?"

"Was it that I didn't want to write? You were the one who kept rejecting my ideas and refusing to publish them. How many book outlines did I submit to you over those ten years? Have you counted? They were all rejected! How was I supposed to produce a bestseller? A quality work?"

"You—"

"As for the initial signing fee, you did pay a lot. But you also tied me down for ten years. For those ten years, you were managing the copyrights of my old books, right? You know exactly how much money you made."

Moore Qian's eyes darted around, a guilty look flashing across them.

How did she know about the old book copyrights?

Isabella said, "You must be wondering how I found out? I had a lawyer review the contract. You secretly added a clause authorizing you to represent and manage the copyrights of my old books. You didn't explain it clearly when I signed and just had me sign it."

"Heh... So you're digging up the past now? Even had a lawyer look it over? Seems you've been guarding against me for a while."

"Think what you want. I can let all that slide. But from now on, please don't bother me anymore."

Isabella stood up to see her out.

Moore Qian stood up with a cold laugh.

"Oh, so you're cutting ties with me completely? Too bad, I don't agree!"

"What right do you have to disagree?! Our contract has expired."

"Then we'll renew it."

Isabella said, "You're being unreasonable! You're not welcome in my home. Please leave—"

She turned to walk towards the study.

Moore Qian followed her.

"You think just because you've found a better branch, you can shake me off?! Dream on!"

"I said, please leave—"

"I'm not leaving today! What are you going to do about it?!"

Isabella had never seen someone so shameless.

Furious, she took out her phone.

"You won't leave? Fine, then I'm calling the police!"

She was going to dial 911.

"What are you doing?!" Moore Qian tried to grab the phone.

In the struggle, they pushed open the study door.

Moore Qian's eyes immediately fell on the computer open on the desk.

The screen clearly showed a writing program.

Her eyes narrowed. She pushed Isabella aside and strode towards the computer.

She wanted to see what masterpiece was being written!

Why couldn't she write it under me, but can write it for another editor?

Isabella's face changed.

"What are you doing—"

"A new book? What, can't I see it?"

Isabella rushed over, trying to grab the computer first.

But Moore Qian was faster.

"Put my computer down!" Isabella panicked.

All her manuscripts were on that computer.

She hadn't uploaded what she wrote this morning to the cloud yet...

Seeing her panic, Moore Qian immediately lifted the computer high overhead.

"Writing a new book, are you? Let's see you write now!"

"No—"