The IVF Secret That Shook a Dynasty novel Chapter 45

"This morning. I knew you were busy with work, so I didn't want to bother you during the day," Riley replied, wrapping her arms around his neck and continuing her charm offensive.

"Don't ask too many questions. Just trust me. Give me the million, we'll pay her off, and then we can finally be together, out in the open."

Fletcher didn't buy it. "Don't let her fool you. Knowing Vivica, she'd never let us off this easily," he said, his tone growing serious. He knew his wife better than that.

"Oh, don't worry about it. Just think about the position she's in. Her son is sick and needs money, her brother hit someone and needs money. And get this—her parents went to the hospital this morning and tried to secretly take the kid, just so they could get the hospital deposit back. When they were stopped, your biased mother-in-law actually got on her knees in public, begging Vivica for money to save her brother," Riley recounted with dramatic flair.

Fletcher's eyes widened in disbelief. "How do you know all this?"

"I was worried she was trying to trick me, so I went back to the hospital today. I overheard some of the nurses talking about it."

Riley sighed, feigning sympathy. "She's in a pitiful state, really. She's been pushed into a corner. Right now, she'll do anything for money."

Fletcher remained silent, clearly still skeptical. After a moment, he said, "Even so, she should be asking me for the money."

"She did ask you, didn't she? And you said no," Riley reminded him, batting her eyelashes. "She wants me to pay because she feels I'm the one who destroyed your marriage. She wants me to buy your freedom."

A smile spread across Riley's face as she added, a little sheepishly, "But I don't have that kind of money, so I have to ask you for help."

Fletcher still wouldn't commit.

Riley watched him, a flicker of insecurity crossing her face as she saw the reluctance in his eyes. Her guard went up instantly.

"Fletcher! What is wrong with you? Weren't you just complaining every day about how to get a divorce? Now she's finally agreed, and you're hesitating. Are you having second thoughts? Did you just use me and now you don't want to take responsibility?"

When seduction failed, Riley resorted to aggression. She berated him, slapping at his chest.

"If you can't bear to leave her, then just go back to her! Let me and my daughter fend for ourselves! We don't need your half-hearted charity!"

With that, she burst into tears, got out of bed, and stormed toward the door.