The IVF Secret That Shook a Dynasty novel Chapter 115

Vivica cut straight to the point. "That won't be necessary. I'm paying you your final wages. You don't need to come back anymore."

Ruby's face fell. She stared at Vivica for a few seconds before asking, "W-why?"

"Why do you think?" Vivica retorted, taking out her phone to transfer the money.

"Ms. Lynn, I don't understand..."

"The money has been sent." Vivica showed her the phone to confirm the payment was complete, then said plainly, "You told all the other families and caregivers on this floor that I was cheating on my husband, that Chaim is an illegitimate child, that I'm having an affair with Mr. Baird and plan to leave my husband for him. You even said I was beaten up because my husband found out..."

She listed Ruby's 'crimes,' her heart a mixture of anger and cold disappointment.

"Out of consideration for the fact that you took decent care of Chaim these past few years, I won't press charges. You can go now."

As Vivica spoke, Ruby's expression grew increasingly panicked. When Vivica finished, she quickly tried to defend herself. "Ms. Lynn, I was just chatting with them. I didn't mean anything by it."

"I don't need your excuses. Just leave," Vivica said. She had thought about it all night; there was no way she could let Ruby stay.

"Ms. Lynn, I was wrong... I shouldn't have been gossiping. Please let me stay. Chaim is sick, and you have to work and deal with the lawsuit. You don't have time to take care of him by yourself. Where are you going to find someone on such short notice—"

"Ruby, you can go now," Vivica interrupted, her voice calm but firm.

Chaim sat on the bed, looking from his mother to Ruby in confusion. "Mommy..." he whispered, a hint of fear in his voice.

Vivica went to her son's side and hugged him gently. "It's okay, sweetheart. Mommy will find you a new nanny, someone who will be even better to you."

"Ms. Lynn, I—"

"Ruby, if you don't leave now, I'm calling the police. Slander and spreading rumors are illegal, you know," Vivica said, holding her son and looking at Ruby with finality.

Ruby froze. After a moment's hesitation, she turned to leave, but then suddenly spun back around. "Ms. Lynn, there are some things I've been holding back for a long time, too."

Vivica stared at her coldly.

Ruby continued, "I've worked for your family for years. To be honest, your husband is a decent man. He gives you so much money every month, and he never said a word when you used it to help out your family. So what if he cheated? All you had to do was sweet-talk him a little, and he would have come back to you. Why did you have to file a lawsuit and make things so ugly?"

Vivica laughed, not bothering to argue. She simply replied, "Well then, Ruby, I wish for your husband to cheat on you. I'm sure you'll be great at sweet-talking him."

"You! You're so vicious!" Ruby snapped, her face contorted with anger. She turned and slammed the door behind her.

Roderic smiled politely. "Ms. Lynn, where are you going with the little one?"

Vivica hesitated before explaining, "I just fired my nanny, so I was going to ask a nurse to help me find a professional caregiver."

Roderic frowned, his gaze falling on Chaim in her arms. "The boy is so young and sick. Wouldn't it be risky to leave him with a stranger?"

Vivica knew that, of course, but she had no other choice. "We'll have to try," she replied, then changed the subject. "Roderic, did you need to see me about something?"

"Oh, right. Mr. Baird asked me to give you this set of keys." Roderic remembered his purpose for being there and handed a set of keys to Vivica. "This is for one of Mr. Baird's properties. It's fully furnished and equipped. You can move your luggage in right away."

Vivica stared at the keys, her eyes wide with astonishment. She opened her mouth but didn't know what to say. Joseph had mentioned it casually last night, but then he had left with a cold expression, and she had assumed the matter was dropped. Yet here was his assistant, delivering the keys first thing in the morning.

"Thank you. Please thank your boss for me," Vivica said after a moment, managing a smile as she took the keys with her free hand.

Roderic gave her a knowing look. "I have a feeling my boss would prefer it if you thanked him in person."

"What?" Vivica, lost in the happy thought of having a place to stay, didn't quite catch what he said.