The IVF Secret That Shook a Dynasty novel Chapter 259

Forget one bag, she would have given her two without a second thought. But if she went along with Joseph's suggestion, the meaning of the gift would change entirely. It wouldn't be a thank-you from her to a friend, but a reward from Joseph to a 'matchmaker.'

Luckily, Vivica's mind worked fast. "Quintina has helped me so much, she certainly deserves a gift. Besides, those bags are just sitting there, I barely use them. Why don't you go pick one out later?"

Quintina, playing along with Joseph's game, replied, "If it's a thank-you from you, then never mind. We're too close for such formalities."

Joseph added smoothly, "Now how can Ms. Christie accept if you put it that way?"

Vivica glared at him, fuming silently. He really was a lawyer. So damn cunning, setting a trap for her without her even realizing it. If she stuck to her story, Quintina wouldn't accept the bag, making Vivica look ungenerous. But if she changed her story, she'd be validating Quintina's role as a 'matchmaker,' and by extension, confirming her relationship with Joseph.

The tension hung in the air until Quintina sighed. "Mr. Baird, I can't accept a reward for something that hasn't happened yet. Since you two aren't official, it wouldn't be right for me to take your gift."

She smiled and went back to eating her dinner.

The pressure was now squarely on Vivica. In fact, when she had shown Quintina the closet that afternoon, her friend's eyes had lit up at the sight of the bags. Vivica had offered her one then, but Quintina had refused. They were both grounded people who, despite their close friendship, would never take advantage of each other. But now that Joseph had started this, the gift had to be given.

After a moment of silence, Vivica finally relented with a sigh of resignation. "Fine, we'll say it's from him. After dinner, you can go upstairs and pick your favorite."

The words were barely out of her mouth when Joseph's eyebrows lifted in a subtle, triumphant smirk.

Quintina's head snapped up, her expression a mix of shock and delight. She shot a look at Joseph. "You get what this means, right, Mr. Baird?"

Joseph gave an elegant nod. "My thanks, Ms. Christie."

"What? No! That's not what I meant," Vivica protested, her face burning. "I only said that because you wouldn't accept it from me!"

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