Chapter 5: Custody of Her Daughter

Around seven in the morning, Miranda was still asleep when a series of sharp knocks on the door startled her awake.

Rubbing her sleepy eyes, she hesitated for a moment before getting up to answer. As soon as the door opened, Miranda froze. Standing there was Broad.

Her expression immediately turned cold, her tone dripping with unconcealed disdain. "What are you doing here?"

Broad didn’t respond. With a grim face, he walked into the living room, sat down on the couch, and let his gaze sweep coldly across the room before settling on Miranda.

"Miranda, I’m warning you for the last time—stop playing these petty games!"

Miranda frowned in confusion. "I don’t understand what you’re talking about."

Broad let out a cold laugh. "Oh, you don’t? Miranda, did you think that getting my mother to speak on your behalf would change my mind? Let me tell you—it’s never going to happen!"

Miranda’s brows furrowed tighter, her tone icy. "I never spoke to your mother. Broad, stop flattering yourself."

Broad refused to believe her, sneering again. "If it wasn’t you, then how would my mother know about our divorce?"

A flash of anger crossed Miranda’s eyes. She stepped closer to him and retorted loudly, "Listen carefully, Broad. I didn’t talk to your mother, and I wouldn’t stoop so low as to beg. This marriage is over. Now, get out of my place." She pointed toward the door, her voice firm with finality.

Broad suppressed his anger and tried to reason with her. "Miranda, if you just cooperate with me—put on an act for my family and then help me finalize the divorce—I’ll give you 1% of the company’s shares. That’s more than enough to guarantee you a comfortable life. It’s the best deal I can offer."

One percent of the company’s shares. It didn’t sound like much, but for Miranda, the annual dividends alone would be an enormous sum—enough to secure her future. Broad was certain she couldn’t turn down such a generous offer.

But to his surprise, Miranda acted as if she hadn’t heard him at all. "Broad, do you really think money can solve everything? Sorry, but I have no interest in your money. If you’re willing to give up custody of our daughter, I’ll cooperate with the divorce. Otherwise, forget it."

"Enough, Miranda!" Broad roared, his voice shaking with fury. "I will never give up custody of my daughter!"

Miranda walked straight to the door, pulled it open, and stared at him coldly. "Then please leave. Otherwise, I’ll call the police."

Broad froze, caught off guard by her reaction. His face darkened further as he stood up and approached her, his tone carrying an unmistakable warning.

"Miranda, do you understand what 1% of the company’s shares means? Are you sure you want to refuse me?"

Miranda shouted back at him, her voice unwavering. "Get out! Now!"

Broad was seething with anger, his eyes fixed on her with icy contempt. "I hope you won’t regret this!"

With that, he stormed out, slamming the door behind him.

The room fell silent once more. Miranda let out a long sigh, a mix of relief and exhaustion washing over her.

She returned to her bedroom and sat on the edge of the bed. Her gaze landed on a small box on the nightstand. Reaching for it, she opened it to reveal a shattered jade pendant.

Picking up the pendant, she ran her fingers over its cracks, her heart aching with the memory it carried.

Her mother, Elizabeth, had been a renowned artist. Most of her works had been bought by collectors, making it nearly impossible for Miranda to reclaim them. But she remembered that two of her mother’s favorite paintings had been stolen. Those were the only ones she had any hope of recovering, no matter how much it cost.

At that moment, her phone rang. Seeing an unfamiliar number, she hesitated briefly before answering. "Hello? Who’s calling?"

The voice on the other end was polite and respectful. "Miss Miranda, let me introduce myself. I’m Gale Norris. Mr. Bruce has transferred ownership of Sora Group to you. I’m the CEO of the company, and I’ll be at your service for anything you need. Additionally, we’ll need you to come in and sign some documents to finalize the transfer."

Miranda was stunned for a moment before realizing that this must be the gift her father had mentioned.

Her eyes grew misty as she felt a wave of warmth and gratitude. Her father’s love had arrived at just the right time.

After taking a deep breath to steady her emotions, she gave Gale an instruction. "Gale, I’ll handle the paperwork later. For now, I have a task for you, and I hope you’ll do everything in your power to accomplish it."

Gale responded with a smile. "Miss Miranda, it would be my honor to serve you."

Miranda looked down at the pendant in her hand, her voice trembling with suppressed emotion. "I need you to find my mother’s stolen paintings. No matter the cost."