When fate plays its hand

Fiona said, “The author’s name is Mindy Harrison. Mindy Harrison and Minnie Garrison… the names sound so similar.”

That was what initially drew Fiona’s interest to the book. When she saw the author’s name on the cover, she was completely taken aback.

Aren sighed, evidently also drawn to the book for the same reason. The more he read, the more absorbed he became.

Originally, Fiona had only asked casually. She knew Sam couldn’t know everyone, but unexpectedly he said, “I do know her.” He then briefly explained his connection with Mindy.

It dawned on Aren. The young woman they’d seen last time at Book Haven turned out to be Mindy’s daughter. There had been a signing event for this very book upstairs that day.

He chuckled, “What a small world.”

Fiona thought of that polite young woman they had met. Her voice had been so gentle and sweet.

Feeling moved, she said, “You could tell right away she was well–mannered, polite, and thoughtful. It takes amazing parents to raise such a wonderful child.”

If only… they could meet her again someday.

Before winter arrived, Edith had already gone to Ausward to escape the cold. She did it every year, so everyone at her studio was used to it. After all, she earned plenty–why shouldn’t she enjoy it?

Actually, none of Edith’s employees really knew how she made her money. All they knew was that it was a publishing studio. Every year, Edith would sign a few already–famous authors, and then… nothing more.

These authors never released any new work, let alone published a new book. It was as if they had just… disappeared from the literary world.

They’d been so popular before, but in Edith’s hands, they all seemed to run out of ideas. So, why did she keep signing them? And how did the studio even make money? What was the business model?

*Save it, none of that is for us grunts to worry about.”

“Hey, I’m not worrying. Just here to coast along. Even if the pay’s not great, the work is super chill.

“I just print a few contracts, and every month, I get full benefits plus a couple of thousands in pay. It’s not bad. But I mean, come on, aren’t you curious?”

“Curious about what?”

“Where does Mrs. Jiver get all her money? For all these years, she hasn’t produced a single bestseller. She keeps signing all these authors, and it must cost a fortune.”

“Why are you asking me? I have no idea.”

“Oh, come on, Claire. We’ve been colleagues for years; you don’t need to keep secrets from me. You’re the only accountant here, so you see all the cash flow.

“You can’t pretend you don’t know. Spill it, I swear I won’t tell a soul!”

Claire Nicholson hesitated, but seeing her coworker’s intense curiosity–and feeling that knowing the secret alone wouldn’t be as satisfying–she finally leaned in and whispered.

“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.” NôvelD(ram)a.ôrg owns this content.

“What do you mean? I don’t get it.”

Claire gave her a look of frustration. What was so hard for her to understand?

“Why do you think she signs famous authors? Because they have existing bestsellers! Most of these books are popular, with a built–in audience and market.

“So she spends a lump sum to bring the author over, talking big about creating new successes and taking them down the path of stardom… but in reality, she’s just acquiring the rights to their existing works.

“With those rights in hand, she can repackage them and make easy money by selling them for short dramas, TV series, you name it… and that’s where the money flows in.”