The IVF Secret That Shook a Dynasty novel Chapter 323

He didn't make a habit of snooping through other people's messages, but the WhatsApp chat window was open, displaying the last notification: [I have a favor to ask. Please call back when you can.]

Joseph walked into the house and handed the phone to Vivica. “You have a WhatsApp message from someone named Mr. Smith.”

The living room was warm, and Vivica was helping Chaim out of his thick winter coat. She paused, looking up in confusion. “Which Mr. Smith?”

“He’s one of your contacts. How would I know?” Joseph replied.

She took the phone, and her expression froze.

Raymond Smith? Why would he be contacting her?

Her brow furrowed with a mix of seriousness and confusion. She opened the chat and saw three messages from him.

[Ms. Lynn, hello. My apologies for bothering you on a weekend.]

[I mentioned before that you resemble a friend of mine. Actually, it’s an elder in my family.]

[I have a favor to ask. Please call back when you can.]

As Joseph helped Chaim with his coat, he kept a close eye on Vivica’s reaction. “Who is this Mr. Smith?” he asked.

Vivica’s expression grew more complicated as she read the messages, a sense of caution rising within her as she recalled his unusually intense focus on her back in Sydville.

“He’s a business partner from our project in Sydville. We added each other on WhatsApp for work,” she explained.

“It’s the weekend. What would he want with you?” Joseph wondered aloud.

Vivica hesitated, debating whether to tell him the full story.

“Your arrival was so sudden. I didn’t even think about it at the time,” she said, her brow creasing in thought. A moment later, she looked at Joseph, her eyes filled with a dawning suspicion. “If I really look like one of his elders… do you think it could be…?”

Joseph looked back at her, the same question forming in his own mind. “Are you suspecting they might be your biological parents?” he asked directly.

Vivica didn’t answer, but her silence was confirmation enough. “Should I call him back now?” she asked, a sudden urgency in her voice.

Joseph finished reviewing the chat, confirming that it was just those three messages from Raymond. He put the phone down and nodded toward the dining table. “Let’s eat first. We can talk after dinner, once Laura has taken Chaim for his bath.”

Vivica glanced at her son and nodded. She understood Joseph’s reasoning. Chaim might be young, but he was perceptive. It was best to shield him from the complexities of the adult world.

Dinner was a quiet affair. Afterward, Vivica excused herself from the table and went to the lounge. She picked up her phone, opened the chat with Raymond, and after a brief moment of consideration, began to type.

[Hello, Mr. Smith. I was just taking care of my son and saw your message now. How can I help you?]