Departure with a Belly ( Victoria Selwyn & Alaric Cadogan’s )

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 

2/7 

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, 

4/17 

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 

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.” 

6/7 

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.