The IVF Secret That Shook a Dynasty novel Chapter 405

Joseph had deliberately stepped away from work, driving all this way just to have lunch with her. The simple truth was that he couldn't shake the ache of compassion he felt for her. He wanted to be good to her, to heal her past with an abundance of tenderness and love, even if she herself had already moved on. It was something he simply felt compelled to do.

Seeing her now, laughing with a radiant smile that made her eyes sparkle, he couldn't help but smile back. The trip was worth it; he had achieved his goal.

The waiter began serving the courses. A classic French tasting menu was a marathon, often featuring six to ten courses from amuse-bouche to dessert, each one exquisitely small and delicate.

Vivica hadn’t grown up in a world of wealth and refinement, so she had no idea what to do with the intimidating row of cutlery laid out before her. Technically, each course had its own utensil, but from her perspective, the portions were so small they didn't require any at all. You could just pop them in your mouth.

So, for the amuse-bouche, she simply picked it up with her fingers and ate it in one bite. She had washed her hands, after all.

As she chewed, however, she glanced at the table next to them and saw other diners methodically using their knives and forks, slicing the tiny portions into even smaller pieces before elegantly lifting them to their mouths.

She swallowed, froze for a second, and then turned to Joseph. “Was that incredibly rude of me?”

Joseph smiled. “I ate mine in one bite, too.”

While he was well-versed in French dining etiquette, he found it mostly unnecessary. The ultimate purpose of a meal was to be sated; everything else was secondary. More importantly, he didn’t want to create any pressure for Vivica, so he was more than happy to be “rude” with her.

Vivica covered her mouth and laughed softly. “You’re not going to make fun of me for not knowing the rules?”

By the fifth course, the main dish finally arrived: roasted lamb chops with a complex sauce and seasonal vegetables. The waiter cleared their plates, brought a new set of cutlery, and poured a red wine selected to pair with the lamb.

Remembering they were trying to conceive, Vivica frowned at the wine glass. Before she could say a word, Joseph understood and immediately waved the waiter back.

Vivica didn’t understand French, but she watched as Joseph spoke and the waiter politely removed her wine glass, replacing it with a glass of lemon water. He also handed her a standard knife and fork.

When Vivica saw the simple utensils, she couldn’t hold back a blush that spread across her entire face. As soon as the waiter was gone, she said with a self-deprecating laugh, “I guess places like this just aren’t really my thing. Next time, let’s just go to a normal restaurant. Even Sherman’s place would be great.”

Joseph, dining with his usual elegance, smiled. “Don’t feel pressured. Eat however you’re comfortable. We can try a different cuisine next time. It’ll be fun to explore.”