SWNOVELS Departure with a Belly Chapter 367
Chapter 367
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When Claudia found out Alaric had called his parents back from abroad, she
immediately felt anxious. So, he knows about the news? Though it is not improbable,
he is still unwilling to meet with me and has refused to answer my phone call.
Nonetheless, he told his parents to return home, so it does not appear that he called
them back about my suicide attempt. Could he have called his parents back to talk
about what happened the night before? Soon, panic rose in her as she considered that
possibility. All she could do was cling to Mrs. Cadogan and sob about her ordeal so that
Mrs. Cadogan would believe her.
Following that, Mrs. Cadogan spent a few long minutes comforting her before leaving
the hospital.
Meanwhile, the Cadogans couple exited the hospital and got into their car.
With a frown, Adrian waited for his wife to enter the car before he asked, “How did this
happen?”
The worried look on her face instantly melted away, leaving behind a stern expression.
“Something’s wrong with this. No matter how much our son dislikes Claudia, he should
be paying her a visit after such a serious incident. However, there was no trace of his
presence in that ward.”
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Chapter 367 Cutting Off All Ties
When he heard that, he narrowed his eyes and said, “You’re implying that there’s
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another side to the story. Do you think he didn’t call us back because of what happened
to her?”
After hearing that, Mrs. Cadogan’s face had taken on a deep, thoughtful expression. Then, she suggested, “Let’s first inquire with our son as to why he called us back.”
Later that evening, Alaric stood in the living room with his hand in his pocket as Mr. and Mrs. Cadogan sat beside each other and looked at their son. His face was extremely expressionless, and his lips were so tightly pursed that they had turned white.
Soon, tension filled the room as he said, “I will be cutting off all ties with Claudia tomorrow.” After he finished his sentence, the mood in the room immediately shifted.
However, his parents‘ expressions remained unchanged, as if they had anticipated this outcome. After the couple exchanged glances with each other, Adrian asked, “Have you
thought of the names people will call you once you cut off all ties with her?”
A disdainful grin formed on Alaric’s face upon hearing that.
Mrs. Cadogan knew her son well, so that smile told her he was fully prepared for the
outcome. Her son had always been an opinionated young boy who could never be
swayed once his mind was made up. Then, she sighed and stated, “Since you told us to
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rush back, you must have a plan in mind. So, if we try to dissuade you from this, it will
only ruin our relationship. In that case, we will keep quiet. Still, you have to tell us what
happened.”
After that, Alaric briefly summarized what happened that night. His words were blunt
and direct, as he did not hold back because they were his parents, nor did he attempt to
protect Claudia’s reputation.
When they heard the end of the tale, the couple exchanged glances and noticed the
disbelief in each other’s eyes.
A few minutes later, Mrs. Cadogan’s heart wrenched in agony when she recalled how
Claudia had sobbed pitifully in her arms. Then, she commented, “I can’t believe she
would do such a thing.” Indeed, I shouldn’t have judged a book by its cover. Claudia
appears so innocent and pure, yet she would use such shady means to steal a man,
and now that her scheme has failed, she has committed suicide to spread rumors. If
not for the life debt that bound our families together all those years ago, I would have
no mercy for them. Still, we are indebted to the Johnsons. Despite saving my son and
putting on a polite facade, my true feelings remain strongly negative toward her.
Whenever I experience such feelings toward Claudia, I always attribute them to my
paranoia. Nonetheless, after hearing all of this, I am convinced that my intuition was
right all along.
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Then, Adrian said calmly, “You shouldn’t feel like you owe her anything. Ever since she saved your life, we have been secretly helping the Johnsons over the years. Without us, they would not be able to get to where they are now. Otherwise, they would have gone
bankrupt.”
“Yes. Mr. Johnson nearly bankrupted the company with the last project. They survived because of your father’s frantic efforts. They have also been using our family’s name to gain a lot of things. While none of this compares to the value of your life, we have already fulfilled our obligation to them. Hence, we can cut off all ties as long as we give them a few more benefits and properly talk this out,” Mrs. Cadogan said in agreement.
No matter what happened, Alaric’s opinion was always their highest priority.
Meanwhile, concern flashed across his mother’s face as she recalled something
important. “If this had not happened, Claudia would have been a good match for you.
She did save your life. However, that is impossible now. Once this has been resolved,
you should focus on yourself. As for those from the past… Leave them in the past.” She
had been reluctant to say that in the first place.
Mrs. Cadogan had adored Victoria then, and she could feel the tension when Alaric and
Victoria divorced. Hence, when Victoria left, all she could do was sigh. To her, it seemed
like some loves were meant to be perfect but only temporary. She also noticed that her
son’s demeanor had visibly darkened after Victoria’s departure. He looked like a plant
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Chapter 367 Cutting Off All Ties
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that had lost vitality and passion and was slowly withering away. Consequently, her son
even ended
up
with gastritis.
Mrs. Cadogan became increasingly concerned as his condition deteriorated, and she
wished for her son to move on from his previous relationship. At that time, she
observed that Claudia appeared to be so sincere and that Claudia had vowed to remain
by his side regardless of the circumstances. While she had not expected much from
Claudia, the thought of her son’s depressing situation made her wish for a miracle. The
realization that Claudia was not the one finally dawned on her.
Unexpectedly, Alaric turned to his mother and looked her in the eyes. “I will take care of
my own affairs.”
She sighed upon hearing that. “How will you do that? Don’t tell me that you’re still in
love with Victoria. It has been five years. She might be married by now. What’s the use
of being hung up on her?”
He pursed his lips and eventually replied, “She’s not married.”
At that moment, something about her son’s answer felt off to Mrs. Cadogan, so she
gazed at him with a suspicious look. “What do you mean by that? Who is not married?
Have you met Victoria? Is she back?” As soon as she finished speaking those words,
she got to her feet and walked over to her son. She seemed more excited than him by
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the prospect of Victoria’s return. “Is it true? Where is she now? Can I see her?” It’s been
five years, and I still long for her.
Faced with his mother’s excitement, Alaric merely replied, “Control yourself, or I’ll be
worried that you can’t sleep from excitement in the future.”
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Chapter 368 You Wish For It