Departure with a Belly (Alaric and Victoria)

Chapter 275

Victoria couldn’t suppress her laughter in response to those words. “Why are you

always fretting over me?”

“I’m your best buddy. If I don’t worry about you, who will? Besides, this is about your

future happiness. Naturally, I need to pay more attention.”

Victoria listened in silence, letting out a gentle sigh. “Instead of concerning yourself

with me, why don’t you focus on your own life, Summer? It’s been so many years, but

you still haven’t found a boyfriend.”

“Don’t divert the conversation, and don’t think you can shift the blame onto me. I am

having a serious conversation with you.”

Victoria wanted to say more, but when Silent Night sent her another message, she

quickly gave Summer a brief update.

Though Summer wasn’t directly involved, her enthusiasm was palpable. “Well, hurry up

and agree to it. Just do as I say.”

Victoria fell speechless.

“Hurry up, Victoria. What are you contemplating? He’s wealthy and successful, after all.”

“I made plans with Bane this afternoon.”

Summer interjected firmly, “Just cancel it.”

“But-”

“That’s enough. You don’t even like him. Even if you disappoint him, it’s beyond your

control. You can’t have it all. Yes, he has been kind to you, and you’ve known each other

since childhood, but you can’t force yourself to feel something that isn’t there. Just let

him down. After experiencing disappointment a couple more times, he’ll probably give

up.”

Victoria remained silent, absorbing Summer’s every word. Will he really give up after

enduring a few disappointments?

“However, Bane might have to be disappointed multiple times before he eventually

gives up. After all, he has likely experienced numerous let–downs over these five years,

yet he hasn’t relinquished his hope. Be a touch more ruthless. If it doesn’t work, cut ties

with him to refrain from holding him back.”

“Okay, I understand.”

After ending the call, Victoria stared at her phone in silence. Cut ties with Bane?

To be honest, she wasn’t reluctant to do so; it was just that he hadn’t done anything

wrong, yet she had to cut ties with him, but as Summer pointed out, he had already

weathered through countless let–downs throughout the past five years, yet he hadn’t

given up.

Such genuine affection…

If she refused to be a little more ruthless, she might end up hindering him.

Lost in her thoughts, Victoria gently closed her eyes.

When she reopened them, she promptly responded to the message she received that

night. “How much do you need?”

Alaric pocketed his phone and turned to Terrance beside him. “Come up with a

solution.”

Terrance immediately inquired, “What kind of solution?”

“Get a child we know and have them transfer to a nearby school.”

Terrance stayed silent. Where can I find a child and transfer them to a nearby school?

“Look into my distant relatives.”

At this, Terrance understood at once. “Alright, but Mr. Cadogan, the child will have

almost no blood connection to the family.”

“It doesn’t matter. A slight family connection will do.”

Terrance, who was well aware of Alaric’s underlying intention, knew that he only

wanted the child to study there so that it wouldn’t appear out of place if he went to visit

the kids.

With that in mind, Terrance swiftly dispatched someone to conduct an investigation.

After an extensive search, they eventually discovered one household with a four–or

five–year–old child that had a tenuous connection to the Cadogan Family.

“Mr. Cadogan, I found a family with a distant and almost negligible connection to your

lineage. I can’t quite explain the specifics of their relations, but they currently reside in

Jasea. The couple is employed at an ordinary company, and their child attends a

regular nursery nearby.”

Terrance presented the situation to Alaric, offering a potential solution. “I’ll reach out to

1

them later to see if they are willing to send their child over here to study. However, due

to the considerable distance between their home and the school, they might not agree

to it.”

As soon as Terrance finished speaking, Alaric looked directly at him and said, “Use

every means necessary.”

“Understood.”

After finishing their work, Hopson Anderson and his wife, Janice Xenon, prepared to

journey homeward together.

As a married couple, they both shared employment at the same company and routinely

commuted together. Since they lived close to their workplace, they would walk home,

cook, eat, and rest for about half an hour before heading back to the office together.

Their lives followed a predictable pattern, and each day passed with tranquility.

Hopson, for his part, was quite satisfied with such a life. As long as his wife did not

voice her grievances, being ordinary to the point of monotony didn’t bother him.

However, his wife would frequently lament his perceived inadequacy compared to

affluent men who enjoyed both wealth and prospects for promotion. Despite working in

the company for many years, he seemed to be stuck in the same position. As the

lamenting accumulated, Hopson harbored them deep within, which eventually

coalesced into a small knot over time.

Nonetheless, this tiny knot had yet to affect their marriage; it remained a concealed

burden. Lately, he had been considering opportunities for promotion or even changing

jobs, but he hadn’t come across a suitable company or position.

“Hopson, let’s have instant noodles for lunch today. I’m a bit tired and don’t feel like

cooking.”

Hearing this, Hopson furrowed his brows. “Didn’t we just have that yesterday? Are we Exclusive content from NôvelDrama.Org.

having instant noodles again today?”

“What’s wrong with having instant noodles again? They’re easy to make. If you don’t

want to eat them, you can cook something else for yourself.”

“I work so tirelessly. How can I cook?”

“Do you think you’re the only one who works? Am I not contributing financially? I

prepare our meals every day. If you don’t want to eat, you can order takeout or hire a

housekeeper to cook for you.”

l

u Ever Stop?

“Takeout? Hiring a housekeeper comes at a cost, you know? How will we pay the

mortgage if we spend all our money?”

“Oh, so now you’re aware that we have a mortgage to repay. In that case, stop

complaining. I’ll cook whatever I want. If you’re unsatisfied, you can cook for yourself. I

promise I’ll eat whatever you make without any complaints.”

Janice’s response left Hopson speechless, and he resolved to keep his words to

himself. Little did he anticipate that in the next moment, Janice would add, “Or perhaps,

if you were like other men–earning and giving me an allowance each month–I wouldn’t

mind preparing a feast for you. Since you lack that capability, keep your mouth shut.”

“Enough! Will you ever stop? All I did was simply say that I didn’t want to eat instant

noodles. You don’t have to criticize me like this!”

“What’s wrong with saying a few words? Am I not allowed to voice my thoughts when

you’re so pathetic? Our child is almost five years old, yet we can’t even send him to a

decent school. Are you worthy of being a father and a husband?”

Engaged in their quarrel as they walked, they eventually arrived at their residential

complex. Their bickering continued unabated, each nitpicking the flaws of the other

like embittered foes.

Their heated argument continued until a person holding a briefcase approached and

intercepted their path.

“Mr. Anderson, Miss Xenon, greetings.”

Hopson and Janice paused. Their attention was drawn to the well–dressed individual

before them, who exuded an air of distinction that set him apart from the ordinary.

“And you are?”

Terrance offered his business card with a faint smile. “Greetings. My name is Terrance

Levane. I serve as Alaric Cadogan’s assistant and secretary at Cadogan Group.“