Chapter 16 - THE SETTLEMENT OFFER
North Meridian reduced its demand.
Eight million became four.
Then two.
Audrey said no.
Charles called.
“This is becoming expensive.”
“Yes.”
“Litigation is uncertain.”
“Yes.”
“Two million may be commercially rational.”
Audrey understood.
That was what made it difficult.
Two million might be cheaper than years of legal fees.
Businesses settle bad claims all the time because certainty has value.
But this one mattered differently.
If Holloway House paid, future ownership of Opal’s work could remain muddy.
Audrey wanted clarity.
Not vengeance.
“Can we get declaratory relief?”
Naomi nodded.
“That is what we’re seeking.”
Then Brett made an offer.
He would personally contribute toward litigation costs resulting from his sale.
Audrey rejected it initially.
Naomi disagreed.
“Why?”
“Because he caused measurable damage.”
“I don’t want his money.”
“This is not alimony.”
Audrey glared.
Naomi continued:
“You cannot spend two years insisting accountability matters, then refuse restitution because accepting it feels emotionally impure.”
Annoying woman.
Correct.
Eventually, Brett entered a separate indemnification agreement.
Documented.
Negotiated.
Not charity.
Not rescue.
Responsibility.
Audrey signed.
It felt strangely peaceful.
---
North Meridian finally made the mistake that ended negotiations.
Its managing partner gave an interview.
He called Opal’s origin story “manufactured nostalgia.”
Audrey watched the clip once.
Then twice.
Not because she was angry.
Because he had just insulted the easiest fact in the case to prove.
County-fair records.
Family photos.
Dated notebooks.
Former employees.
Press articles from early Holloway years crediting Audrey.
North Meridian had turned a legal dispute into a credibility question.
Bad strategy.
The food press noticed.
Not because Audrey orchestrated coverage.
Because food writers hate being told culinary history is fabricated when archives exist.
Articles appeared.
Old interviews resurfaced.
One video from eleven years earlier showed Brett himself saying:
“Audrey’s grandmother is basically the ghost running this menu.”
Naomi called.
“I love old Brett.”
Audrey laughed.
May you like
“New Brett does not.”
---
