The IVF Secret That Shook a Dynasty novel Chapter 113

The phrase "leave with nothing" struck Dylan and Loretta like a final blow, and their defiance crumbled.

Loretta turned to her father, whispering, "Dad, what do we do? My brother said this lawyer is ruthless. If they take this to court, he might really lose everything..."

Her words only fueled Dylan's rage. His face flushed, and he waved his hand dismissively. "Impossible! Absolutely not! Why should she get everything?"

Joseph's expression remained impassive. "Because your son is the at-fault party. Because your son committed domestic abuse."

"You—you..." Dylan was so enraged he couldn't speak. He clutched his chest, a pained look on his face.

Vivica remembered his history of heavy smoking and drinking, and his known cardiovascular problems. Worried he might actually collapse, she kindly advised Loretta, "You should take your father home. Make sure he rests. The court will deliver a fair judgment on my and your brother's affairs."

"Vivica, you've been part of our family for four years. Can you really be this heartless? Even if my brother was wrong, can't you be a little more forgiving?" Loretta said, supporting her father and attempting to guilt-trip Vivica.

Vivica saw right through it. "Don't try to guilt-trip me. I'm treating your brother exactly as he treated me. When our child was sick, he refused to give a single penny. Tell me, who is the more heartless one?"

"But you still got a million dollars!"

"That was from your brother's mistress, a buy-out fee for his marriage. When our son was sick, your brother wouldn't part with a dime. But when his mistress wanted money, he handed over a million without a second thought."

Vivica spoke clearly and loudly, making sure every onlooker heard the truth and that no more rumors could spread.

"So, tell me, who is more heartless?" she asked again, throwing the question back at Loretta. "If you were in my shoes, would you be standing here so calmly? You'd have burned the whole world down by now, wouldn't you?"

Loretta's face turned pale, her lips pressed into a thin line as she struggled for a response.

Just as Vivica had intended, the attitude of the crowd shifted decisively.

"So the guilty one was pointing the finger first! What a scumbag!"

"Exactly! No wonder the marriage rate is so low, there are too many jerks like him out there! Girls are losing faith in love!"

"And his family is just as bizarre."

"Of course. You know what they say, the apple doesn't fall far from the tree."

Furious, Loretta clenched her fists and turned on the chattering crowd. "What are you talking about? It's none of your business!"

Finally, one of the women stepped forward, smiling sheepishly. "Um... sorry about that. What we said earlier... we didn't mean to offend you..."

"But it wasn't our idea! It was your nanny who was spreading it all around."

"That's right! Your nanny said you and Mr. Baird here had... you know, a relationship. She said your son was really his, and that you were getting a divorce to be with your real family..."

"She also said your face was injured because your husband found out you were cheating and beat you."

The women were straightforward, quickly explaining the source of the rumors.

Vivica's heart sank with each word. She had always trusted Ruby. To think that now, at such a critical time with Chaim sick and when she needed help the most, Ruby had stabbed her in the back. When she had heard her son's words in the hospital room earlier, she had assumed Ruby was just speaking carelessly in front of a child. She had planned to simply have a word with her tomorrow. She never imagined...

It was clear now. Ruby had to go.

Faced with the women's candor, Vivica managed a kind smile. "Thank you for telling me this. I know what I need to do."

The women smiled back, their gazes shifting to Joseph with the unmistakable look of mothers-in-law sizing up a potential son-in-law.