Love Burned, She Rose Unscathed novel Chapter 139

"Is someone still a writer if they can't produce a bestseller?"

Madge was fuming, "I have plenty of ideas, but you..."

Nadine cut her off, "Your ideas lack originality, they're not marketable. Writing them down would just be a waste of time, a waste of a publishing slot. They won't sell! Do you think you're still the 'Mystery Queen' everyone raved about?"

"Face it, Madge, you're washed-up! It's time to face reality, and face who you are now."

"Mom—" Roseanne couldn't stand it any longer and stormed out from behind the shelf.

Madge quickly cleaned her tears and forced a smile, saying, "Did you get it?"

Roseanne shook the allspice, "Right here. Dad might be back from his school by now, let's check out and head home?"

"Sure."

"Mrs. Harper, we'll be leaving now," Roseanne spoke for her mother.

She knew Madge was deeply hurt and didn't want to face the person causing her such pain.

Nadine managed a smile, "Sure, I'll browse around a bit more."

Then, looking at Madge, she added, "Think about what I said. Ah, we've been friends and collaborators for so many years."

Madge looked down, silent.

Roseanne took the shopping cart and led her away.

"Mom, did you sign a ten-year contract with Mrs. Harper?"

"Yeah."

"If I'm not mistaken, this year is the last, right?"

Madge did the math, "Indeed it is."

"What do you think of her?"

Yet, after turning eighteen, Roseanne lost interest in opening her mother's books.

After graduating college, during the countless days waiting for Murray to come home, she finally read those two books.

No doubt, her mother was a mystery genius!

Every element, from the smart logic to the gripping suspense and crazy plot twists, came together perfectly. No surprise these two books are still flying off the shelves.

But in the last decade, her mother hadn't published any mystery novels. Roseanne found it odd but never delved into why.

Until today, seeing her mother's publisher, she thought she understood the problem.

A publisher wearing a full set of DIOR? Carrying a Hermes crocodile Birkin?

What kind of publisher makes that much money?

How come she had never heard of it?