The IVF Secret That Shook a Dynasty novel Chapter 201

Quintina was swamped at work, so Vivica left with the report as soon as she got it.

Joseph was already waiting in the car. As she walked out of the building, Roderic opened the rear door for her, holding a hand over the frame to make sure she didn't hit her head. The gesture was so formal and respectful that it turned the heads of several passersby.

The Maybach pulled away from the curb smoothly. Vivica sat beside Joseph in the back. Even in the spacious luxury car, the atmosphere was thick with the unspoken tension of their ambiguous relationship. The silence was so awkward you could cut it with a knife, and Vivica was wracking her brain for something, anything, to say to break it.

Just as she was about to give up, Joseph’s phone rang. She let out a silent breath of relief.

She had to admit, having Joseph with her had its upsides. If she’d been heading home alone, her mind would have been a whirlwind of anxiety and misery, her mood sinking to rock bottom. But with Joseph here, she barely had time to dwell on her problems; her thoughts were consumed by last night’s kiss and the dream that followed.

“Yeah, what’s up?” Joseph said into the phone, his tone casual and direct. It was obviously a good friend.

Harvey Murphy’s voice came through the line. “It’s the weekend, man. You’re not working, are you? It’s been ages since we played some ball. You free for a game this afternoon?”

“Can’t,” Joseph replied.

“Working again?” Harvey grumbled. “You have no guilt at all about ditching me in the middle of nowhere the other night, do you? I’m ordering you to drop your work and come play today.”

“I really can’t,” Joseph repeated, this time explaining why. “I’m injured. Broke a rib. I’m out for the next few months.”

“What?” Harvey exclaimed, shocked. “How did that happen? Who in Riverdale City would dare lay a hand on you? Do they have a death wish?”

Joseph didn’t want to get into it. But Harvey was persistent. “Come on, man, what happened? At least tell me where you are, and I’ll come see you.”

“No need. I’m busy today, no time.”

“You broke a rib and you’re still busy? Are you trying to kill yourself for money?” Harvey dropped the joking tone, his voice turning serious. “What’s really going on?”

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