Chapter 340

The recording button was pressed.

"Why does Editor Moore sign so many established authors every year?"

"The copyrights for those older books... the operational flexibility is enormous."

"They don't require the author's consent at all."

"The money all goes straight into her own pocket."

Moore's face instantly drained of color.

She recognized her assistant's voice.

"Those traitors!" Her nails dug into her palms. "Where did this recording come from?"

Attorney Wu replied, "Provided by Isabella Sullivan's daughter. Both employees are willing to testify in court."

"They also submitted crucial evidence. The situation looks very bad for you."

Moore had initially thought it would just cost her some money.

She never expected to be sued for infringement directly.

"I paid to sign her, and she bites the hand that feeds me! Attorney Wu, what do we do now?"

Attorney Wu looked her straight in the eye. "I need the truth—did you privately manage the copyrights of works authors created before signing with you?"

Moore's eyes darted away. "Everything was according to the contract—"

"Did you, or did you not?"

Moore bit her lip. Finally, she nodded.

Attorney Wu sucked in a sharp breath. "Have you lost your mind?!"

"I signed them. What's wrong with managing their work? It's not a charity!"

"Copyrights for pre-signing works never belonged to you! That's basic常识!"

Moore scoffed. "Nothing happened all these years. New books? Who can guarantee they'll make money?"

Attorney Wu took a deep breath. "I'll try for an out-of-court settlement. Pay what needs to be paid. Apologize where necessary."

"凭什么?" Moore shot to her feet. "She wants to sue me? Let her! We'll see who breaks first!"

Attorney Wu fell silent.

She was beyond saving.

Sophia Sullivan was peeling an apple in the hospital room when she received the news that Moore had refused the settlement.

"Mom, I need to make a quick call."

Isabella Sullivan smiled and nodded.

Sophia dialed Stone Macmillan's number. "She refused."

Stone sneered. "She won't admit defeat until she's cornered."

Sophia said, "Proceed as planned."

"Understood."

Three days later, Attorney Wu visited the detention center again.

Moore eagerly approached him.

But the news was冰冷. "Your situation has been exposed online. Dozens of authors are filing a joint lawsuit. The evidence is irrefutable. We will lose this case."

Moore trembled. "How... it was only Isabella Sullivan..."

"When you refused the settlement, did you not consider the consequences?"

Dozens of authors...

Massive compensation...

Moore's legs went weak. "Attorney Wu, go tell Isabella Sullivan I agree to settle! Any amount!"

"It's too late. Isabella Sullivan's daughter has explicitly refused any settlement."

Cold sweat poured down Moore's back. "Why..."

"You only get one chance."

Exposed to the entire internet. Ostracized from the industry.

Massive compensation. Financial ruin.

Moore gripped the bars. "Attorney Wu, save me... I know I was wrong..."

Attorney Wu shook his head. "All we can do now is try to minimize the compensation. Avoid jail time."

Jail?

Moore collapsed to the floor.

She finally felt regret.

...

The weather was beautiful the day Isabella was discharged from the hospital.

Sophia greeted her with a bouquet of purple roses. "Congratulations on your discharge."

"Thank you, sweetheart!" Isabella took the flowers, her smile radiant.

David Sullivan had prepared a lavish meal at home.

There was also a basin of fire and mugwort leaves.

"Step over it. Ward off the bad luck. Smooth sailing from now on!"

Isabella found it amusing. "You're making such a fuss."

"Absolutely necessary!"

After the meal, mother and daughter sat chatting in the living room.

Mentioning Moore, Isabella sighed softly, but felt no pity.

If she hadn't reacted quickly that day, her manuscripts would have been completely destroyed.

"Mom, leave this to Stone and me."

"Stone is involved too?"

Sophia nodded.

Stone had obtained the recording.

He had been planning this since Isabella signed the contract.

If Moore had known when to stop, he wouldn't have gone this far.

But Moore insisted on causing trouble.

She left him no choice.

Stone was famously protective of his own in the industry.

He had contacted each of those jointly suing authors personally.

He also funded the lawyers, preparing for a tough battle.