Chapter11 Third Anniversary Gift
Miranda's voice held no warmth. She didn't even bother with polite pleasantries.
Harrison didn't seem bothered by her coldness. He casually set down the document in his hand, then pulled an exquisite velvet box from his suit pocket and placed it on the desk in front of her.
"I came to give you something."
Miranda's gaze fell on the box. She didn't move.
Seeing this, Harrison opened it himself.
The moment the lid lifted, brilliant light burst forth. Inside lay a complete jewelry set crafted from top grade diamonds and cornflower blue sapphires. Necklace, earrings, bracelet, all there. The design was exquisite and clearly worth a fortune.
The instant she recognized the jewelry, Miranda's heart felt like it had been stabbed by a needle. A sharp, bitter ache spread rapidly through her entire body.
How could she not recognize it?
Six months ago, she'd begged Harrison for ages before he agreed to this as their third anniversary gift.
Harrison had minored in jewelry design in college and was quite talented, but in three years of marriage, he'd never given her anything he'd designed himself. That was the first and only time she'd asked him.
She still remembered the undisguised impatience on his face. He'd only made a few random changes to an existing blueprint before tossing it to her.
But even so, she'd been thrilled like a fool back then. She'd treasured that blueprint, personally contacted top craftsmen, and spent months having it made.
She hadn't expected that by the time the finished jewelry was shipped back, they'd already be divorced.
She'd been so busy dealing with company matters that she'd completely forgotten about it.
"The jewelry arrived at Whitmore Corporation this morning. I thought I should bring it to you myself." Harrison's voice actually sounded unusually gentle.
Miranda gently closed the box and pushed it back.
"No need. I don't want it anymore."
"Miranda," Harrison looked at her, his gaze carrying rare tenderness, "it was always meant for you."
Miranda's heart trembled uncontrollably.
In three years of marriage, this was one of the rare moments he'd been gentle with her.
For a fleeting instant, she felt confused, thinking perhaps he still had some feelings for her after all.
Unfortunately, this tenderness came too late. And she no longer needed it.
Seeing Miranda looking down without speaking, Harrison assumed she was moved by nostalgia. His sense of satisfaction and control swelled even more.
See? She still couldn't let him go after all.
He elegantly crossed his legs, leaned back on the sofa, and finally revealed his true purpose.
"Miranda, that Project Starlight at Lancaster. Drop out and let Ariana join."
He looked at her, adding in a tone like he was bestowing a favor. "Don't you love my designs? If you agree, I can design ten more sets for you. Even better jewelry than this."
Miranda's head snapped up. The way she looked at Harrison was like she was looking at a complete stranger.
That fleeting moment of confusion and bitterness was instantly replaced by bone deep coldness and mockery.
So that was it.
All this elaborate setup, giving her jewelry, pretending to be gentle. The ultimate goal was still for Ariana.
She'd been ridiculous enough just now to think there might be some lingering affection between them.
What utter delusion!
"I refuse."
Miranda looked at him, her lips curving into an utterly mocking cold smile. "Besides, are you some world class master designer or something? Even if you gave me your designs for free, I'd say they take up too much space."
"Miranda!" Harrison's expression darkened instantly. She'd clearly wounded his pride.
But he still forced patience, adopting a lecturing tone. "You've been a housewife for three years. You don't understand anything about company business. Why get involved in this mess? Listen to me. It's for your own good."
"Here's what we'll do. I'll give you enough money to live comfortably for the rest of your life. You drop out of the project and let Ariana gain some experience."
He paused, as if making a momentous decision.
"If you're willing to transfer your shares to Ariana too, the price is negotiable. I'll pay for it."
Hearing his matter of fact tone, Miranda actually laughed with anger.
"Sure."
Surprise flashed in Harrison's eyes. "You agree?"
"I'll agree to name a price," Miranda said with a cold laugh, leaning lazily back in her chair and raising one slender finger. "One hundred million."
Harrison frowned. A hundred million was a lot, but for Ariana, and to completely control Lancaster, it wasn't unacceptable.
However, Miranda's next words made the satisfaction freeze on his face.
"One hundred million for one thousandth of my shares."
"I've named my price, Harrison. Now let's see if you can afford it."
Only then did Harrison realize Miranda was toying with him!
He shot up from the sofa, fury rolling across his handsome face. "Miranda! You're deliberately messing with me? You don't run the company alone. I'll find a way to get Ariana into that new project!"
With that, he stormed out without looking back, slamming the door.
Miranda watched the door that had been forcefully shut. Her smile gradually turned cold.
Her gaze fell on the velvet box forgotten on the desk.
She picked up her phone, took a photo of the exquisite jewelry, and without hesitation posted it on the country's largest secondhand trading platform.
Product title: "One dollar with free shipping, pickup only. Designed by Whitmore Corporation CEO Mr. Harrison. Ex wife has no use for it. Available for transfer."
After Harrison disgusted her like this today, if she didn't return the favor, wouldn't that be letting him off too easy?
After doing all this, the tightness in Miranda's chest finally eased somewhat.
When they divorced, she'd been considerate of the business relationship between Lancaster and Whitmore and hadn't mentioned property division at all.
Now it seemed she'd been too naive.
Since Harrison had already torn their relationship to shreds, she had no need to consider his feelings anymore.
The share of marital assets that belonged to her, she'd take back every penny!
Miranda took a deep breath and called her lawyer, her voice terrifyingly calm.
"Attorney Piente, help me prepare something. I'm suing Harrison for division of marital property."