The IVF Secret That Shook a Dynasty novel Chapter 258

A smile played on Joseph’s lips as he encouraged the boy. "It's alright, Chaim, go on. What's the second wish?"

"Chaim," Vivica warned.

"Please, Mommy, just let me say it! My second wish is for my sickness to go away, and my third wish is for you to give me a little brother or sister."

Vivica had just finished cutting the cake. Hearing his words, her face turned beet red. She felt trapped, not knowing whether to stand or sit.

"Chaim, you're not supposed to say your birthday wishes out loud, or they won't come true, you know?" Vivica said, trying to hide her embarrassment as she turned to her son.

Chaim's little face fell.

Joseph immediately reassured him. "Don't worry, they will. All three of Chaim's wishes will come true."

"Whoa," Quintina, who had been enjoying the show, couldn't help but cheer. "That's a very revealing statement, Mr. Baird."

Vivica shot her friend a look, feeling more cornered than ever.

Quintina, emboldened and full of curiosity, looked directly at Joseph and asked, "Mr. Baird… are you in love with Vivica?"

Joseph smiled faintly, his eyes flicking to Vivica before answering Quintina. "Are you asking for your friend, Ms. Christie? Is she too shy to ask me herself?"

Quintina couldn't help but give him a thumbs-up. "Impressive, Mr. Baird. That answer was airtight."

Yet it had somehow cranked the tension between him and Vivica to its absolute peak.

Vivica couldn't stand the intensely charged atmosphere any longer. In a moment of desperation, she grabbed a piece of cake and stuffed it into her friend's mouth. "Just eat your cake!"

But Joseph replied without missing a beat. "According to tradition, I would also owe you a generous gift, Ms. Christie."

Quintina's head shot up, her eyes wide.

Joseph turned to Vivica, his tone consultative. "Why don't you let Ms. Christie pick a handbag from your closet? I'll replace it for you later."

"No, no, no, you don't have to!" Quintina waved her hands frantically. She was beyond flattered. When she'd toured the villa that afternoon, she had seen the collection of handbags in the master bedroom's walk-in closet. Each one was an exclusive piece that required a significant purchase history just to be offered, costing tens of thousands of dollars. It was far too valuable a gift for her to accept.

"I would be happy just to see you two together. No gift is necessary," Quintina declined politely.

But with Joseph having made the offer, if Vivica didn't agree, she would seem stingy, as if she couldn't bear to part with a single bag. And Quintina had helped her so much recently. The lawsuit alone was a debt she could never truly repay, a favor Quintina had made possible.