Departure with a Belly (Alaric and Victoria)

Chapter 261

Ten minutes later, in the Mawhen restaurant, Victoria returned the menu to the

server. “That’ll be all.”

The server took the menu and nodded. “All right.”

After that, he walked away with their order.

Meanwhile, Alaric, who sat opposite Victoria, remained quiet the whole time.

Silence stretched between the three as they sat in their chairs without speaking.

Terrance decided not to dwell on the situation, so he wasn’t bothered at all.

Victoria didn’t feel like talking to Alaric either. She was researching on her phone.

When Terrance learned what she was doing, he couldn’t help but think she was a

workaholic.

I thought Mr. Cadogan is the textbook definition of a workaholic, but she surpasses

him.

There were many people in the restaurant. Terrance could smell the aroma of spices

in the air. It made his stomach growl, but it didn’t do the same for Alaric.

After about ten minutes, the server began to bring them the dishes Victoria ordered.

The restaurant indeed lived up to its name. Every dish served had the same red

color, indicating chilies were used in them.

Terrance was a fan of spicy food, so he didn’t mind eating spicy food for a meal.

As he watched the dishes fill the table, his mouth watered. However, he kept a

straight face the whole time due to Alaric and Victoria being his companions.

After the server stopped bringing food to their table, Victoria said, “That’s

everything. Let’s dig in.”

Terrance turned to her. He was shocked to find her talking to none other than him.

At that, he glanced at Alaric.

When the group first arrived at the restaurant, Alaric’s face was expressionless, and

he didn’t speak at all. However, Alaric’s face was dark now, which was a sign of his

bad mood.

Alaric’s hands remained on his sides, not touching the silverware. Thus, Terrance

didn’t dare move at all,

“Let’s dig in.” Victoria urged him as she picked up the cutleries.

Only then did Terrance oblige. He then leaned toward Alaric and whispered into his

ear, “Mr. Cadogan, I’ll choose something not spicy for you.”

He studied the dishes on the table for a long while and was disappointed to find that

none of them was non–spicy.

His eyes darted back and forth between the dishes. In the end, he was frowning

hard.

She’s doing it on purpose, isn’t she?

She knows Mr. Cadogan has a gastric problem, but she still suggested we eat at a

Mawhen restaurant.

Not only did she suggest we eat here, but she also ordered a table full of spicy

dishes.

Terrance set the silverware on the table at the thought. He couldn’t help but speak

1. up. “Miss Selwyn, the dishes you ordered are all spicy. I don’t think it’s necessary.”

Victoria responded to his accusation with a flat look. “Mawhen cuisine is known for

its spiciness. Aside from spicy dishes, what kind of food do you expect to find in a

Mawhen restaurant?”

“But-”

“Hurry up. We should catch some sleep in the hotel after dinner.” Victoria cut him

off.

Terrance lost the mood to eat. Alaric remained seated as he fixed his gaze on her

face.

Back when we were on the plane, she advised me to drink hot water and gave me a

blanket. She was taking care of me. There’s no way she would change her mind

before we visit Grandma.

He felt a lump in his throat.

She doesn’t care about me at all.

After a moment of pondering, Alaric picked up the silverware. Terrance’s eyes

widened in disbelief as he watched Alaric reach out to the nearest dish, which was

the pozole.

Before he could touch the food, Victoria used her spoon to block his movement.

What are you doing?” she asked.

He paused, eyes darting to her face.

“I’m eating,” he mumbled.

She scowled at his words. “Did I say you can eat this?”

His lashes fluttered at her words. “Didn’t you bring me here to eat these?”

One thing was clear to him. She wants a payback because I wronged her in the

past.

A tight feeling rose in his chest. However, he decided to take it without bearing a

grudge if she was planning for a payback.

As soon as he finished the words, the server brought them the last dish.

“I’m sorry. The congee took a while but now it’s here. Enjoy your meal.”

The server set a pot of congee on the left side of the table.

Alaric’s mind went blank at the sight of the congee.

Terrance shared his shocked expression. “M–Miss Selwyn. Is the congee for…” Còntens bel0ngs to Nô(v)elDr/a/ma.Org

Victoria scoffed at Terrance’s shocked expression. “Do I look like a malicious

woman to you? So that’s how you see me. The kind of person who would force him

to eat spicy food even when I’m well aware of his gastric problem.”

If I want him to suffer, I could’ve simply left him in the hospital and not visited him at

all. What would be the point of doing all these petty things?

However, Victoria indeed brought Alaric to such a restaurant on purpose.

It seems like you won’t eat properly when I’m not around.

Fine. Have fun eating the plain congee while watching us eat these savory dishes.

“I wouldn’t dare!” Terrance denied the claim. His doubts vanished at Victoria’s

thoughtful gesture.

Alaric shared the same feelings. He watched the steamy congee without a word as

emotions swirled within him.

I thought she…

So, she ordered the congee for me before we departed.

Terrance immediately served Alaric a bowl of congee. ‘Mr. Cadogan, the congee is

hot. Let’s wait for it to cool down, and you have to eat slowly. Don’t burn yourself.”

Alaric stared at the congee before him.

Even though it was just a bowl of congee, he treasured it.

Victoria’s plan to take revenge by having him eat the congee and watch her and

Terrance eat was an utter failure.

Alaric curled his lips into a smile when everyone wasn’t paying attention. He picked

up the spoon and took a spoonful of congee before sending it into his mouth.

The congee was a little hot in his mouth. He remembered Terrance’s words, so he

waited for the second spoon to cool down before he continued eating.

Victoria studied his face. The man ate in silence and without protest. His expression

remained neutral instead of the dissatisfaction she expected to see on his face. He

doesn’t seem like he’s bothered by the food in front of him.

Victoria arched her brows in amusement. No complaints at all?

Chapter 261 A Lump in His Throat

Victoria’s red lips got redder after the meal. Terrance’s condition was a stark

contrast to her calm expression. Even though it was winter, he kept sweating.

When the group was departing, he used a tissue to wipe the sweat on his forehead.

Looking at Victoria, who looked fine even after finishing the dishes, he couldn’t help

but comment, “Miss Selwyn, you’re good at eating spicy food.”

She curled her lips without answering him.

The truth was she didn’t eat much. Even though she kept reaching out to take more

food, she took it in small portions. Besides, she served her food with a beverage.

She was surprised to see Alaric finish the congee under the circumstances.

The group returned to the hotel after that. Alaric called out to Victoria when she was

about to head to her room.

“We’ll leave at 8.00AM tomorrow.”

She nodded. “All right.”

After pondering for a moment, she added, “What about 7.30A M? We should leave

30 minutes earlier. I want to buy something.”

After all, it would be my first time visiting Grandma at her grave. I probably should

bring her something.

Even though she has passed away, but…

Her face fell when a certain memory resurfaced.

Alaric could tell what she was thinking by the change in her expression. Pursing his

lips, he said in a soothing voice, “Don’t worry too much. Get some sleep.”