The IVF Secret That Shook a Dynasty novel Chapter 288

As they stepped out of the restaurant, Roderic pulled the car around to the curb, waiting for them.

Vivica’s heart hammered against her ribs, her mind racing with uncertainty about where they were headed next. Reaching the car, she tried to steady her frantic pulse and asked in a low voice, “Are you going back to your hotel?”

Joseph, walking just behind her, countered with a question of his own. “What did you have in mind?”

Her heart, already pounding, skipped a beat at his words. A nervous sweat broke out across her back, and a buzzing filled her ears. “I… It’s almost two in the morning. Of course I’m going back to my hotel to sleep.”

Deep down, a part of her was inexplicably hopeful, but that feeling was drowned out by a wave of anxiety and confusion. Logically, returning to her own hotel was the only sensible option.

Joseph didn’t say anything, simply following her into the back seat of the car.

However, Roderic turned from the driver’s seat and asked the same question. “Where to, boss?”

Vivica’s ears perked up as she waited for the man beside her to answer.

Joseph settled into his seat and let out a soft breath. “Take her back to her hotel.”

“Right away.”

Vivica remained silent, a sudden wave of relief washing over her. But right after the relief came a pang of disappointment, a quiet sting from that inexplicable hope she’d been harboring. She had thought that his coming all this way in the middle of the night meant he intended to have her make good on her promise.

“Cancel your train ticket for tomorrow,” the man beside her said suddenly, pulling her from her chaotic thoughts.

Startled, she whipped her head around to face him. “Cancel my ticket? What do you mean?” Was he asking her to stay and accompany him on his business trip? But Chaim was back home…

“Your ticket is for noon, which means you won’t get home until late evening,” Joseph explained. “Cancel it and travel with me. We’ll take the eight a.m. train and be in Riverdale by two in the afternoon.”

“But when we checked today, all the morning tickets were sold out,” Vivica said, astonished. “How did you—?”

Roderic chimed in from the front seat. “Ms. Lynn, we’ve booked the entire business class cabin on the eight a.m. train. There’s plenty of room.”

Vivica was speechless. After a few seconds of stunned silence, she looked at the man lounging comfortably beside her. “You certainly know how to throw your money around, Mr. Baird.”

A single business class ticket cost over two thousand. He had booked the entire cabin.

Joseph just scoffed. “That’s nothing.”

It was about the same price as a single first-class plane ticket. If the weather hadn't grounded the flights, they would have flown back first-class together, which would have been even more expensive. In a way, he was saving money.

Hearing his casual dismissal, Vivica nodded and muttered to herself, “Right. I’m being provincial. For you, Mr. Baird, that’s probably just the cost of a couple of dinners.”

Truthfully, Joseph had wanted to take her back to his hotel. But he worried it would be too sudden, that she would think he was being cheap or disrespectful. He had also been drinking and wasn't sure he could control himself if things went further. He didn't want their first time to be in some random hotel out of town; it felt disrespectful to her. It should happen at home, when she was fully ready and willing to accept him.

Roderic stood outside, his back turned to the car.

A staff member from the hotel noticed the car idling and, seeing no one getting out, came over to inquire.

Roderic intercepted him smoothly. “It’s nothing. They’re just finishing up a conversation. They’ll be out in a minute.”

The young staffer seemed to understand immediately. A flicker of awkwardness crossed his face before he turned and walked away.

Inside the car, Vivica saw the exchange and gently tapped Joseph’s shoulder. “Okay, that’s enough. He saw us.”

Joseph chuckled. “Who saw us?”

“The hotel staff! How am I supposed to face them when I go in?” she said, pushing him away gently. Her eyes were shimmering and bright.

“I could lend you my coat to cover your face,” he teased.

It was getting late, and they both had an early start. Joseph released her. “Fine. You should go up. I’ll be here to pick you up at six-fifteen tomorrow morning.”