Chapter 5%
By then, the online buzz was reaching a peak. Blount & Bluebell Press moved fast.
By that afternoon, their official X account had already posted a legal letter.}
The day after confirming that I held the full rights, Atlas Publishing officially filed a lawsuit against Blount & Bluebell Press.
I handed all my evidence over to Helga Hampton, a well–known lawyer in New York City. She was also my senior back in college. “Thanks for doing this,” I told her.
She grinned. “Thanks? Girl, if it weren’t for you, my narcissistic ex would’ve gaslit me into an early grave!“}
She took the documents from my hand and skimmed them. “Wow. Your ‘best friend‘ is really something. Forging your signature is bad enough, but she even pocketed the copyright fee? Dang!”
“Oh, she’s always been like that,” I replied with a shrug and a smile.
‘I’ve lived this life once already–no way am I still blind to who Vicky really is.‘
“So? What’s your plan?”
“Just go by the book. Whatever the law says.”
Three days later, Vicky received a court summons.
She went ballistic–kept calling me nonstop. When I didn’t pick up, she flooded me with messages. I blocked her on Facebook, so she started texting me.
Each message came nastier than the last.
screenshotted everything and sent it to my lawyer, and then I blocked Vicky on every platform for good.
But that night, she showed up at my door.
I didn’t really wanna bother dealing with her, but she wouldn’t leave. She started with insults and then later, she was wailing and begging.” Even my neighbors started complaining. That left me no other choice but to open the door.
“Shea! Thank god, you finally came out!“}
Her eyes were red. She looked all weak and pitiful.
‘Too bad I’m not Curtis–I don’t fall for that act.’@
I kept my tone cold. “Whatever you’ve got to say, save it for court.”
“You’re really suing me? Shea, I did it for your own good! Our company’s adapted so many hit novels–signing with us would’ve been way smarter than Atlas. Why are you being so mean?“}
“Vicky, do you not understand human language? I already signed with Atlas. That extra contract you took was a backup. The official one was in Atlas‘ hands the whole time. And you forged my signature on your fake version–then stole the copyright fee? Dang, you really dared do that?”
Hearing my sarcasm, she dropped this fake “nice friend” facade instantly.
She glared at me, shouting, “So it was a setup, huh?! Damn, girl, you’re a bitch!“}
She raised her hand to slap me, but I was ready. I kicked her straight out the door and slammed it shut.
Outside my door, she screamed and cursed me for ten solid minutes.>
But soon, the noise outside was replaced with sirens. Cops came and took her in for disturbing the neighbors‘ peace.§
Watching her fuming face on my doorbell cam was… therapeutic, to say the least.
I couldn’t help but pick up my phone and post from my main X account.
[Let the law decide what’s right and wrong.]”
Attached was a photo of the lawsuit paperwork my lawyer drafted.}
I still had a decent number of readers following me, and the whole “double–sale” thing hadn’t died down yet.
Pretty soon, my post made it into the top 20 on the trending list.
New comments poured in.
[LMAO! Bold of this author to really sue after double–selling her book! Must be making enough to hire a lawyer, Dang, I didn’t know writing web novels can make you that rich. Guys, teach me how to enter this industry!]
[Yaaas, queen! This is hot! Can’t wait to see B&B Publishing eat dirt. LOLJ
[I believe you, Miss B Gooo, queen! Get the justice you deserve!]
lis it just me or no one’s really curious how much she sold the copyrights for?]
Under that last comment, I replied with a screenshot of the contract with Atlas.
[Here’s the numbers for you, dear. Oh, and fun fact: Atlas Publishing’s the only publisher I ever spoke with, and the only one who’s paid me. Maybe you should be curious too who got the other publishing house’s so–called payment…]S
