The IVF Secret That Shook a Dynasty novel Chapter 80

He stared at Vivica for a long moment, affecting a look of sympathy. “Vivica, you’ve lost weight.”

A cold laugh escaped her lips. “Don’t be disgusting. After everything that’s happened, do you really think I’d fall for your fake sentimentality?”

“I’m being sincere. I heard about what your parents did, threatening to jump off the roof. It’s my fault. I shouldn’t have told them I gave you that million dollars.”

Hearing this only fueled Vivica’s anger.

“Fletcher, are you a pathological liar? You wanted my parents to bleed me dry. That was your way of getting revenge. Why are you pretending to be sorry now? And besides, that million dollars? You gave it to me?”

She almost laughed in his face at the last sentence. When her son was hospitalized, she had been penniless. She’d called him for help, and he hadn't even answered. She had been forced to sell every handbag and piece of jewelry she owned just to scrape together the deposit. And now he had the audacity to claim he’d given her the money?

The force of her accusation left Fletcher looking deeply uncomfortable.

“I…” he stammered, unable to find a response.

“Stop the act,” Vivica said coldly. “Just tell me why you’re really here.”

Fletcher had hoped to soften her up to make his proposal easier, but he’d only made things worse. He knew now that she was no longer easy to fool, and his confidence wavered.

Still, he plastered on a smile. “Vivica, I came to see if we could reach a settlement. We can split the assets fifty-fifty, and I’ll pay child support every month. What do you think?”

Vivica saw right through him. “Weren’t you determined to leave me with nothing? What’s with the sudden change of heart?”

“That was… that was all Riley’s idea. I always wanted us to part on good terms.”

Vivica looked at him, disgusted by his shamelessness. Now he was blaming Riley.

“So if you agree to give me half now, you’re not worried she’ll get angry and cause a scene?” Vivica asked pointedly.

“It doesn’t matter what she thinks. This is what you deserve,” Fletcher said, trying to look like a man who had seen the error of his ways.

Anyone else might have believed him, thought he’d had a crisis of conscience.

But Vivica knew him too well. She considered it for a moment, then laid his motives bare. “You couldn’t find a lawyer to represent you, could you? So now you’re trying to cut your losses, hoping to protect half of your assets by pretending to concede.”

“How is that possible? With my money, I can hire any lawyer I want!” Fletcher’s denial was too quick, too defensive.

“Oh, really? Money can’t buy everything. How many lawyers in Riverdale would dare to go up against Mr. Baird? And the few who might be good enough, you’re too cheap to hire.”

Fletcher’s face darkened, but he couldn’t form a reply.

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