Chapter 510
A storm of frustration churned inside Sylvie, but she kept her face composed as she crossed the room to where the man sat. She set the folded lawsuit papers down on the table, her voice steady and measured. “Jarrod, Elodie’s filed a lawsuit.”
Jarrod’s eyes lingered on the papers. He was silent for a moment before finally responding, “Just hire a lawyer. It’s something that needs to be dealt with sooner or later.”
Sylvie understood that much. But lawsuits like this were never simple. The years that had passed would blur the so-called “evidence” most people could provide. That’s why so many avoided intellectual property cases-they were complicated, hard to define, and even harder to win.
Even with Elodie filing suit, there was no guarantee things would go smoothly for her. The whole thing felt a little ridiculous. Sylvie couldn’t believe Elodie didn’t realize how tough these cases were to fight. And yet Elodie had gone to such great lengths, desperate to knock her down a peg. It was almost pitiful.
“Do you have any recommendations for a lawyer?” Sylvie asked, looking at Jarrod.
He didn’t react right away, just seemed lost in thought for a moment before replying, “This has wider implications than it seems. If you need a lawyer, I can find someone for you from abroad.”
Sylvie caught his meaning immediately. The Silverstein Group had a top-tier legal team, but they represented the Group itself. It wouldn’t look right for them to publicly step in and help her fight Elodie—especially since Elodie was still known as “Mrs. Silverstein.” But a foreign lawyer Jarrod brought in would be just as capable as anyone the Group could offer.
Sylvie felt a quiet sense of relief, her gaze softening. “Thank you, Jarrod.”
She trusted that Jarrod would have a strategy, a way to handle this.
Still, the School of Art at Fairview University getting involved had been an unexpected twist. No one had predicted that, after the media was silenced, the university would suddenly take a stand.
But as long as Jarrod’s lawyer could win the case, it wouldn’t matter if Fairview University weighed in or not.
It was going to be a long road-possibly several months at a minimum, with endless back-and-forth. But if, in the end, she could find a way to win, her mother would have a chance to return to the art world.
Jarrod didn’t linger at Neural Intelligence for long. He was just passing through to handle some business.
After he left, Sylvie sat on the sofa, lost in thought for a long time. The lawsuit would require careful planning. But right now, the issue at the art institute still hadn’t been resolved-and that was the real headache.
The contract had clearly stated: ten paintings to be delivered to the gallery within a year, and the final payment would be made. She’d
know the fine print: breach the net
contract, and she’d owe five million dollars in damages. But none of them had paid that much attention to it-after all, painting was something she could always do. No one had imagined she wouldn’t be able to deliver all ten.
But now, after the fiasco at the exhibition, everything had changed.
She simply couldn’t paint anymore.
If she couldn’t gather enough work for the gallery, more trouble would follow- possibly another lawsuit, on top of everything else. It was the last thing she needed.
Sylvie frowned, thinking for a long time.
Eventually, she made up her mind: she’d mortgage the house.
It was the fastest way to get the cash she needed. She just wasn’t sure how long the paperwork would take. Ever since she’d taken over Neura Intelligence, her dividends were paid out annually or quarterly; none had landed in her account yet. She didn’t have much in the way of liquid assets.
Waiting for the next dividend wasn’t an option-she needed the money now. She decided not to discuss this with Selma, at least for the time being. After all, Jarrod had arranged for the house when Selma returned from overseas.
Meanwhile, over on Elodie’s side, she’d been in contact with her law firm these past few days.
Albin had been traveling abroad for business and hadn’t been around lately.