The IVF Secret That Shook a Dynasty novel Chapter 536

As Raymond finished speaking, he caught the eyes of the two elders and gave a subtle, pointed look.

Cheryl immediately understood. *They were pushing too hard; it would only pressure Vivica.*

"Oh, you're absolutely right," she said, raising a hand. "Look at me, getting completely ahead of myself. Thank goodness Mr. Baird pointed that out."

She leaned down, her voice softening as she spoke to her sister. "Hillary, let's eat first. I know you and Vivica have a lifetime of catching up to do, but you can't do it on an empty stomach. Let's get some food in you both, and then you can talk properly."

Hillary, having finally calmed down a fraction, nodded through her tears and managed a faint, watery smile.

"Yes, I was being too impatient. Vivica, please, sit down. Let's eat."

She gestured to the chair beside her, her eyes still shining with unshed tears.

Vivica let out a quiet breath of relief. Pressing her lips together, she nodded and took her seat.

"Hillary, let's head back to the table," Cheryl said, turning her sister's wheelchair around. She glanced at the rest of the room. "Come on, everyone, before the food gets cold."

Raymond took the lead, picking up his silverware. "Alright, let's dig in. Today is a wonderful day. Eat up."

The rest of the family slowly picked up their forks and knives, the heavy, emotional atmosphere finally settling into something much more peaceful.

Joseph glanced at his wife and placed a bowl of warm soup in front of her.

"This is good. You should try some," he murmured.

"Thank you," Vivica said, giving him a meaningful look that told him she was okay.

As the meal progressed, the mood in the dining room grew much warmer and livelier.

But Hillary's maternal instincts remained on high alert. "You two need to be incredibly careful from now on," she warned bluntly. "Sullivan is running scared. He's definitely going to try and frame you or hurt you again."

But Joseph and Vivica listened with deep frowns.

One orchestrated accident had directly and indirectly claimed three lives.

And left a fourth permanently paralyzed.

"Because of the fallout, several officials were disciplined, and the case was swept under the rug. No one wanted to touch it," Hillary continued. "At the time, I was drowning in grief over losing my son, terrified of losing my husband..."

She glanced at Hayes, remembering the agonizing days he spent in critical condition.

"And on top of that, I was trying to keep the company afloat."

Hayes listened to his wife, his eyes welling with fresh guilt and profound sorrow.

Hillary took a breath before continuing. "Sullivan and Sean were already senior executives, and they had been coveting the chairman's seat for years. They used the chaos to buy off key board members and major shareholders, aggressively pressuring me to step down."