Chapter 1315

Abigail thought hard and then decided to act. She figured that if she waited until the television series was shot or aired to discover someone had used her script, it would be hard to fight for her rights. So, she messaged Ryan Hale, her point of contact at Ripplewood Films, hinting she had proof. Not long after, Ryan called her. "Abigail, are you really upset about being replaced?" Abigail was at a loss for words. In her mind, she was like, 'I've been working my butt off for more than six months. Sometimes I couldn't even sleep, thinking about the story. And now, they just replace me and don't even talk about giving me anything for it. I'm not a saint. Of course, I'm upset!' Abigail did not get a chance to respond before Ryan continued, making it clear he was not really looking for her input. His main aim was to explain his side. He said, "Stella's schedule changed, and the show is going to start filming right after New Year. We're sorry for replacing you as the writer so close to the start. But you have to understand, this project has a lot of money in it, and with Stella in the lead role, the investors weren't happy with your script. They wanted a more seasoned writer to make sure the script is excellent." Abigail just smiled. "I understand why the investors want a different script. Nobody's money just falls out of the sky. With millions at stake, you really can't afford to mess around." Ryan said, "Glad you understand." Abigail replied, "I do understand." Ryan then explained his limited influence, "Thanks for that. Abigail, I'm just an employee here, caught between investors and advertisers. I don't have much power. Even if I love your script, it doesn't change our situation. But here's what I can do." Abigail, sensing their intentions, stayed quiet, waiting for more. She almost felt certain they planned to use her script without proper compensation or credit, a thought that repulsed her. Continuing, Ryan said, "You've dedicated months to this script without pay. Though we're not using it now, your hard work isn't unnoticed. I can personally offer you two thousand dollars as compensation. Just send your bank details, and I'll transfer the money immediately." Abigail knew the value of her work, and two thousand dollars, though substantial for many, was merely trivial for these corporations. She was not one to demand more than her due, but in this scenario, they were looking to cash in on her efforts while trying to placate her with a paltry sum. She was not going to settle for such an unfair offer. She responded with a calm smile, "Mr. Hale, I appreciate your gesture, but it's unnecessary. I only claim what I rightfully earned. I won't take a dime that isn't mine. However, if it rightfully belongs to me and is withheld, I don't back down. Mr. Hale, I need to go. My family is waiting for me for our New Year preparations, so I'll have to cut this short. Goodbye." Abigail, having ended the call with Ryan, understood that her words and the evidence she held might not be enough to sway his team. She was far from naive and knew the value of leveraging her available resources and connections. As she was about to go downstairs to discuss everything with Johann, a call from an unfamiliar number came through. She picked up. "Hello? Who is this?" The voice on the other end was polite and respectful. "Hello, Ms. Renee! I'm Adam Carter, the head of Ripplewood Films." Abigail replied, recognizing the name, "Mr. Carter, what can I do for you?" She knew of Adam; he was the CEO of Ripplewood Films. Adam's demeanor was remarkably warm. "Our company recently faced some internal issues, including the decision to replace you. I have addressed the situation with Lloyd and the others involved. We would appreciate it if you could continue your work on the script." For Adam, managing a major film company and juggling numerous projects, to personally address an issue involving a writer like Abigail was unusual.