Departure with a Belly (Alaric and Victoria)

Chapter 352

10

Alaric somewhat doubted what he had just heard, Claudia came to say

goodbye to me? What the hell is that? His narrow eyes squinted slightly as he

eyed Claudia, who seemed quite frail while standing in the cold wind. It was

unclear what she was wearing underneath in this seemingly chilly weather.

She appeared to be shivering with cold; even her fair cheeks were red. On the

surface, she did look distressingly pathetic.

And yet, it was actually such a woman who had quietly deleted the text

message about Victoria’s pregnancy and even paid her 7 million in private

behind his back. What she was up to was already self–explanatory. Had

Victoria not given birth to the kids herself, he might have ended up really

losing both his children.

The idea that such a pair of adorable kids might have ceased to be made

Alaric feel as if a knife were being twisted in his heart. No, I can’t feel sorry for

her. I’ve done more than enough in the past to repay her kindness, and her

family has been riding the coattails of my family’s power and influence since

then. As long as I’m always indebted to her, I don’t mind letting them take

advantage of the Cadogans for life–provided that she knows her place. At

the thought of this, he icily refused at once, “No, I’m not gonna talk to her.” He

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Chapter 352 I’ll Disappear by Myself

added, “If she wants to say goodbye, she can say that to me over the phone.”

He would never want to see this woman anymore.

The chauffeur didn’t expect Alaric to be so hard–hearted as to refuse to even

get out of the car to let Claudia bid him farewell. Seeing that the man.

wouldn’t give in to persuasion, he had no choice but to button his lip. After all,

he had been paid to work for him. Soon, he left the car once again.

Claudia changed color immediately when she saw the chauffeur walk alone

toward her with no sign of Alaric getting out of the car. “Mister? Is he still not

going to talk to me?”

The chauffeur nodded gravely. “You should go back.”

“No, I can’t!” Claudia burst out crying at once. Slumping next to the car without

scruples, she sobbed, “Al, just come out and meet me, will you? I’m here just

to say goodbye to you. Don’t you even want to see your savior one last time

now that I’m leaving?”

Her voice soon came through due to the close proximity. Hearing her

mention again how she had saved his life, Alaric felt his heart being gripped

in an instant. There were times when he wondered why: Why the hell would I

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Chapter 352 Disappear by Myself

owe my life to her? It would’ve been better if some things never happened in

the first place. Well, thinking that way makes me look like an “sshole, but….

had I known I’d be in such a tight spot today, perhaps I shouldn’t have….

Feeling a headache coming on, he pinched the space between his eyebrows.

The chauffeur couldn’t bear to see this, though. “Mr. Cadogan, now that she’s

leaving, why don’t you just…. come out and talk to her for a minute? In any

case, it’ll be the last time, I guess.”

His last remark made Alaric come around. He’s right; if she’s really here to say

goodbye to me, then this will be the last time. I’ll just see what she’s really up

1. to. At the thought of this, he buttoned up his suit jacket and got out of the car

with a grim expression.

Claudia was almost crying her heart out in the cold wind. Tears fell from her

eyes like strings of pearls; seeing Alaric step out of the car, she immediately

came up to him, saying, “Al, you’re willing to meet me at last! I thought you

wouldn’t want to talk to me anymore.”

Seeing how wan she looked, Alaric recalled how she had unhesitatingly

jumped into the rapid river current and injured herself to save his life back

then, and this made him feel a bit of sympathy toward her. “Why would I?” At

Chapter 352 I’ll Disappear by Myself

first, he wanted to take off his suit jacket and drape it around her shoulders,

but he resisted the urge at the thought of Victoria and the two kids. Fine, I’ll

owe it to her. Just call me an *sshole. I’m a human being, so I can’t be perfect

at everything.

“I’m leaving already, so I just want to come and talk to you for a minute. Can

I?” Claudia stepped forward in an attempt to take Alaric’s hand.

Alaric subtly took a step back. Nevertheless, he eventually replied, “Just say

whatever you want to say.”

Claudia darted a glance toward the house. She pleaded in a whisper, “I’m

freezing out here. Can we talk inside?”

Alaric glanced at her while pursing his thin lips slightly. After a moment, he

replied, “Fine, just get in and say what you have to say once and for all. I won’t

see you ever again after tonight.”

At hearing this, Claudia bit her lower lip hard. “I got it. Don’t worry, I’ll disappear

by myself after tonight, and I won’t show up in front of you anymore.”

Chapter 352 II Disappear by Myself

Claudia sat on the couch in the house with a glass of steaming boiled water

in front of her. Having nearly gone numb from the cold for a long time in the This is property © NôvelDrama.Org.

chilly wind, she gradually regained warmth at this moment. After staring at

the glass of water for a long time, she took a deep breath and looked up at

Alaric. “Do you have wine?”

577

Alaric frowned at her question. “Do you think I’d let you drink here at this

hour?”

Claudia gave a pale smile. “I just knew you wouldn’t let me, but this is already

the last time. After tonight, I won’t bother you anymore. Just drink a little with

me, okay? I have something to say to you, and once I’m done, you’ll no longer

have to keep in mind how I’ve saved your life.”

Silence fell over the room.

Claudia dared not say another word, fearing that Alaric would heartlessly

turn her down as soon as she spoke. She had no choice but to wait.

After a long time, Alaric turned around.

Claudia turned pale at once. Just when she thought the man was going to

turn her down, she heard him say, “This is the last time.”

Chapter 352 I’ll Disappear by Myself

Her face brightened up. “Don’t worry, I’ll keep my promise.”

Alaric soon fetched the wine and wine glasses over. At the sight of this,

Claudia remarked with a smile, “I never thought we would actually part ways

like this after so many years.”

Alaric paused what he was doing for a moment. He darted a glance at

Claudia, whose eyes were looking down; in the end, he gave an inward sigh.

Back when he was younger, he had mistaken his gratitude toward Claudia

for a different kind of affection. This had led him to say that kind of thing,

which had caused so many misunderstandings. Come to think of it, she’s

also a victim here, and I owe her a debt of gratitude for saving my life. At the

thought of this, his hostility toward the woman faded somewhat, but it didn’t

dissipate altogether. Not only that, he even doubted what Claudia had said.

After all, would she actually leave like that after pestering him for so many

years? “You may say whatever you want to say now. Also, you may name

your terms. The Cadogans will satisfy you as long as they can.”

Claudia noticed that he was speaking of the Cadogans but not himself.

Seems like he’s really determined to cut all ties with me. Clutching the small

packet inside her handbag, she looked up with a smile. “What if I ask for

resources or money? Is that okay too?”

Chapter 352 III Disappear by Myself

“Yeah, it’s okay,” replied Alaric without the slightest hesitation.

Claudia said, “Alright then, I want five percent of the Cadogan Group’s

shares.” She thought the man would say no to her exorbitant demands,

which she had talked over with Scarlette before coming here. Scarlette said

to her, “Ask him for the shares, which he’ll certainly refuse. When he does, just

ask him for money. This time, he surely won’t turn you down. Put this in his

drink while he’s off writing the check.” She had already figured out how to get

everything done.