The IVF Secret That Shook a Dynasty novel Chapter 379

Joseph laughed, holding his son with one arm and extending his other hand to her.

Vivica stared at his hand, momentarily frozen.

“What’s wrong? Not even used to holding hands?” Joseph teased when he saw her hesitate. “We’ve done far more intimate things. What’s there to be shy about holding hands?”

“Daddy, what more intimate things have you and Mommy done?” Chaim asked in his childish voice from his father's arms. “Did you kiss?”

Vivica’s face turned red. “That’s enough, little boy. Stop asking so many questions.”

“Mommy, I was asking Daddy. It’s not polite to interrupt.”

Vivica was speechless. This little traitor had been completely won over by Joseph. Now they were ganging up on her.

Joseph chuckled, looking from his son back to Vivica. “You’re a grown woman, and you’re less adaptable than a three-year-old. Look at Chaim, calling me ‘Daddy’ without any problem.”

Vivica rolled her eyes at the two of them and decided to walk ahead on her own. But as she neared the entrance to the main house, she slowed down, falling back in step with him.

The living room was bustling with activity, like an early Christmas reunion. Although a shadow of grief still lingered in the family, the news of the marriage was met with a chorus of congratulations.

“I never thought Joseph would move so fast. He said he was getting married, and just like that, he did. Vivica is young, beautiful, and has a good personality. She’s a great complement to Joseph’s temper. It’s wonderful.”

The elders smiled at the couple. Whatever they truly thought, their words were full of blessings.

Melanie held her grandson and said to Vivica, “Vivica, you don’t have to put up with him. If he ever gets grumpy with you for no reason, you yell right back. If you can’t win the argument, come find us.” Melanie had never believed that women should always have to tolerate men. A woman’s life was hard enough without having to be a punching bag in her marriage.

“It’s okay, Melanie. Joseph has a wonderful temper. He’s good to me and very patient with Chaim. If anything, I’m the one who’s been causing him trouble, and he’s never said a word about it,” Vivica said, expertly defending her husband's honor in front of all the relatives.

At her words, Joseph raised an eyebrow slightly, a smile playing on his lips.

Some relatives sitting farther away overheard Vivica and whispered among themselves. “See, there are benefits to a second marriage. She’s mature, stable, not arrogant, and she knows how to protect her husband’s reputation in public. No wonder Joseph fell for her.”

“People are so much more open-minded these days. Who cares if it’s a first or second marriage? As long as they’re good people who are serious about building a life together, it’s a good marriage.”

Joseph smiled elegantly. “You all want one?”

“Yes! Yes!”

“Of course!”

“Then get married, and have your husbands buy you one,” Joseph replied calmly.

Vivica couldn't help but laugh. So the serious, stern Joseph had a playful, teasing side to him.

His male cousins immediately started complaining. “Joseph, not you too! Don’t start pressuring us to get married. You used to be our best excuse when you were single. Now you’ve betrayed us.”

Young people nowadays were generally marrying later. Although the Baird family was large and prosperous, not many in this generation were married. So every holiday reunion, the unmarried ones of marriageable age would inevitably face pressure from the elders. Joseph had always been their shield. One sharp retort from him, and the elders would fall silent. And now, their ultimate bachelor idol had gotten married in a flash.

Vivica stayed quiet and just ate her food. After all, she was the one who had ruined Joseph’s prized bachelor status, which basically made her an enemy of these cousins. It was best to keep a low profile.