The IVF Secret That Shook a Dynasty novel Chapter 552

On the way, Joseph took out his phone. He rehearsed his explanation in his head before finally dialing the number.

At that moment, Vivica was almost home.

Seeing her husband calling again, she frowned slightly, feeling a bit confused.

"Why is he calling again so soon..." she muttered to herself, though she answered with a smile. "Hey, what's up now?"

Sitting in the backseat of the car, Joseph gripped his phone, a lonely, brooding expression crossing his face.

They had spent the entire holiday season glued to each other, practically inseparable. Being apart for just one day made him miss her terribly.

And now, to make matters worse, he couldn't even go home tonight.

"Vivica, I had to travel out of town for business today. I won't be coming home tonight," Joseph said in a low voice after a two-second pause.

Vivica was momentarily stunned. "Out of town? When did you leave? Where are you?"

Given the nature of Joseph's work as a lawyer, business trips were common. She understood that.

But he had always made a point to tell her in advance.

Why hadn't he mentioned this one?

Besides, when he called just over an hour ago, he only said he'd be working late. He hadn't said a word about being out of town.

It didn't take Vivica long to figure it out. He must have intentionally kept it from her, and he was only coming clean now because some unexpected emergency meant he couldn't make it back.

But why hide it in the first place?

Joseph fell into another brief silence.

He thought about finding a quick excuse to brush it off, but he knew his wife wasn't a naive fool. She wasn't easily fooled. If he lied, she wouldn't believe him, she'd press him for the truth, and she might end up worrying even more.

So, after a short pause, he chose to be honest.

"Actually, I came to Sydville City first thing this morning. The plan was to finish things up, catch a 7 PM flight, land in Riverdale City by nine, and make it home. But... something happened, and I can't leave yet."

"You went to Sydville City again?"

Vivica was even more surprised now.

When she didn't say anything, Joseph assumed she was upset that he had kept it a secret. His tone grew softer, gentler. "Why are you so quiet? Are you mad at me for not telling you?"

"No..." Vivica's voice was low, sounding a bit muffled. "I know you didn't tell me because you didn't want me to worry for nothing."

"Yeah." That was exactly it.

He genuinely thought he could make it a quick day trip, so there was no need to stress her out over it.

"So, why are you suddenly stuck there? Did something happen? Are you in some kind of danger?"

Vivica's intuition told her that was the case. After all, the Chase brothers were legally illiterate thugs who had been acting above the law for years.

Now that they knew Joseph was investigating them and aiming to put them behind bars, they would definitely get desperate and do something reckless.

Plus, Sydville City was their home turf. There was no telling what they were capable of.

Knowing he couldn't hide it from her anymore, Joseph had no choice but to tell her the truth.

The moment Vivica heard there had been a car crash, she bolted upright in shock, nearly hitting her head on the roof of the car.