At Broad’s Residence.
Broad’s deep black eyes were inscrutable. “Miranda still refuses to sell the painting?”
Vivienne nodded, her tone tinged with frustration. “Yes, she acts like it’s a joke that we’d even consider it. Not only that, but she’s bragging about how wonderful her life is now.”
A dangerous gleam flickered in Broad’s eyes.
“Can you believe it? She actually said she’s perfectly fine being Eric’s mistress!” Vivienne continued, her voice laced with disbelief.
Broad’s brows knitted tightly, and his growing anger was evident. He couldn’t fathom how Miranda had fallen to such depths.
Vivienne paused deliberately before adding, with a mocking tone, “She even mentioned she’s thinking about finding a few extra ‘daddies’ for Winnie.”
“She wouldn’t dare!” Broad slammed his hand on the table, his voice thunderous with rage and disbelief.
“No one will take Winnie away from me without my permission!” His words echoed in the room, carrying the weight of a lion’s roar.
Sensing her moment, Vivienne feigned concern, lowering her voice. “Poor Winnie. She’s still so young. If she ends up with Miranda, the consequences…”
“I won’t let that happen!” Broad interrupted, his fists clenched so tightly his knuckles turned white. He paced the room, his anger and anxiety intertwining in a volatile storm.
“I’ll contact my lawyer immediately and fight for custody of Winnie,” he declared, his voice cold and unwavering, as if his decision had already been made.
Vivienne stepped closer, gently placing her hand over his. “Darling, I completely understand how you feel. I’ll always be here to support you and take care of Winnie.”
Broad’s gaze softened slightly, guilt tugging at him. He had been distant with Vivienne lately, and he knew it.
“Thank you, Vivienne,” he said in a low, gravelly voice, laced with a hint of apology.
Vivienne smiled faintly, a flicker of triumph flashing in her eyes.
Broad took a deep breath, steadying himself. He was done waiting-action was needed now.
“I need to go to the office,” he said, his tone calm but resolute. “I’ll consult with the lawyer about Winnie’s custody and discuss new opportunities with the board.”
Vivienne nodded, her voice soft and reassuring. “Go ahead. I’ll be here waiting for you.”
Broad slipped on his coat and strode out of the room. Vivienne watched him leave, her lips curling into a subtle smile, her eyes gleaming with a mix of satisfaction and calculation.
—
In the boardroom, the air was heavy with tension.
The long table was lined with board members, their expressions stern as they fixed their gazes on Broad, who stood tall at the head of the table. His piercing eyes swept over them, his voice low and commanding.
“I’ve called this meeting to address the failure of the Versailles Twilight auction.”
The moment he finished speaking, Stephen, the largest shareholder, let out a derisive snort. His tone was sharp with disdain. “Broad, what’s the point of explanations? Can they undo the damage?”
Nick, a heavyset board member leaning back in his chair, folded his arms across his chest. His tone was even harsher. “The company already had a preliminary agreement with Sora Group. All we needed was that painting, and the partnership would’ve been guaranteed. But you-” He jabbed his finger in Broad’s direction. “You let the group miss out on a multi-million-dollar deal!”
The other board members chimed in, their voices a chorus of accusation and disappointment.
“The auction’s failure not only tarnished the company’s reputation but caused our stock value to plummet!”
“Sora Group has been evaluating our capabilities for months, and now we’ve landed ourselves on their blacklist!”
Broad’s face was dark and stormy, but his voice remained steady. “I will make amends.”
“Amends?” Stephen scoffed, barely containing his anger. “And how, exactly, do you plan to do that? Sora Group has already signed with Wilson Group!”
“What?” Broad’s head snapped up, a flicker of shock breaking through his composure. “Wilson Group?”
“Yes,” Stephen said coldly. “Eric. Not only did he help Miranda secure the painting, but he also used the opportunity to secure Sora Group’s partnership.”
Broad felt as though his chest had been crushed. His breath became labored, his mind racing. Eric-again. That cursed man. First, he’d taken Miranda, and now even Broad’s business opportunity had been stolen from under him.
Rage boiled inside him, threatening to explode, but Broad knew this wasn’t the time to lose his cool. He drew in a deep breath, forcing himself to stay calm. His voice, though tight with restraint, was firm and resolute.
“Sora Group isn’t our only option. I’ve already begun exploring alternatives.”
The room fell silent. All eyes were on Broad, a mix of skepticism and curiosity in their gazes.
“Alternatives?” someone questioned.
Without a word, Broad turned and activated the projector beside him.
A photograph appeared on the screen: a young man with golden curls and a radiant smile, exuding a vibrant and magnetic energy.
“This is Tony Clark,” Broad began, his voice steady. “He’s the top-ranked YouTuber worldwide, with an unrivaled following among younger audiences. His influence is unparalleled. If we secure him as our brand ambassador, the company’s market potential could double.”
The board members studied the screen, their murmurs filling the room. Stephen, after a moment of thought, finally spoke. “Broad, let’s hope you don’t let us down again.”
Broad nodded, his tone unwavering. “I’ll handle the negotiations personally.”
Nick, smirking slightly, added with a hint of mockery, “Just make sure you don’t lose another deal.”
The meeting adjourned, and the board members began filing out. Broad lingered, pulling out his phone and dialing his assistant. His voice was sharp and decisive.
“Find Tony Clark immediately. I want to meet him as soon as possible.”