Departure with a Belly ( Victoria Selwyn & Alaric Cadogan’s )
Departure with a Belly Chapter 198

Chapter 198 

Never once did it cross Claudia’s mind that Alaric would think of sending her away. 

Her lips turned pale, and she instinctively shook her head. “No. I don’t want to go. 

back. Not when I finally have the chance to come here with you. Al, please… It’s 

really been a long while since I last went out with you. So, don’t drive me away, 

okay?” she begged, and her eyes instantly reddened with tears as she looked at. 

Alaric aggrievedly. 

To Claudia’s dismay, Alaric merely looked at her expressionlessly. 

you. 

But 

“I know you have been feeling pressured about the fact that I had saved 

now, can you try to forget that I am your savior and consider me as a mere ordinary. 

girl who wants to pursue you?” Claudia truly applied the art of speaking when she 

uttered these words. Outwardly, it looked as though she didn’t want Alaric to regard 

her as his savior, but in reality, her words served as a reminder and a hint to Alaric. 

Well, I’m not appealing to pathos on purpose. It’s just that I have no other reasons I 

can use to stay by Alaric’s side except this, and I will be truly at my wit’s end if Alaric 

doesn’t care about this matter. 

Fortunately for her, he was always grateful to her for saving his life. Hence, the 

indifferent look on his face only lingered momentarily before he moved his elbow 

and said, “Just this once.” 

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Chapter 198 The Power to Control the Purse Strings 

Claudia nearly wept with joy as she took Alaric’s arm. “Thank you, Al.” As expected, 

no matter how many years passed, Alaric’s heart would always go soft whenever I 

bring this up. Clearly, he ultimately knows that he might have perished in this world. 

if it wasn’t for me. I gave him a second chance in life. And if that doesn’t melt hist 

heart, then what else will? 

Claudia took his arm and shot a glance at the girls from earlier before heading into. 

the hall with her head held high. 

2/7 

After Claudia left, the girls, who mocked her just now yet were forced to witness her 

petty revenge. They instantly got together and kept rolling their eyes at her attitude. 

“Did you see how arrogant she was? Those who are clueless might even think she’s 

marrying Alaric tomorrow.” 

“She has been actively pursuing Alaric for five years, yet there’s still no news about a 

proposal. I truly don’t understand what she’s so proud of.” 

“Damn right! The Cadogans would surely ignore her if she hadn’t saved Alaric’s life 

back then.” 

“Speaking of which, what happened to Victoria? Why would she divorce Alaric when 

their marriage was fine? Does she not care about losing to someone like Claudia?” 

Chapter 198 The Power to Control the Purse Strings 

“Perhaps she isn’t as experienced as Claudia. That’s why she had no choice but to 

leave Alaric.” 

“If that’s the case, then why hasn’t Claudia become Alaric’s girlfriend yet?” 

Everyone fell silent as soon as someone pointed this out. No one had a clear grasp 

of the entanglement between Alaric and Victoria’s relationship. Therefore, these. 

girls were curious too. Still, although they had many, many, theories, none of them. 

even came close to the truth. 

3/7 

As for Alaric, he caused a great commotion as soon as he entered the auction hall. 

In fact, thanks to his appearance, everyone’s view of Jordan took a turn. Since Alaric. 

hadn’t shown up at public events for a long time, they couldn’t believe the Young 

Master of the Floyds actually succeeded in achieving such a difficult feat. 

Given his prestigious status, Alaric naturally became a guest of honor and was 

seated at the best seat available. 

Meanwhile, Claudia sat down next to him. She naturally sensed the gazes from the 

crowd around her and chuckled to herself in her heart. Then, she straightened her 

posture and revealed her fair neck, posing like a white swan. 

Chapter 198 The Power to Control the Purse Strings 

The sky was drizzling before the charity auction even started. Victoria and Ethan. 

were still on their way to the venue. Victoria reflexively commented upon seeing the 

weather changing so unexpectedly, “What’s with this weather? The weather 

forecast didn’t report that there will be rain today.” 

When the driver in front heard her, he smiled and added, “It rains frequently and 

rather unexpectedly in this season. Not to mention, the weather forecast isn’t so 

accurate sometimes.” 

“Have you brought an umbrella?” asked Victoria, who sat in the back passenger seat. 

with her two children. 

Ethan shook his head. “No. I didn’t think it would rain today.” 

After she gave a brief glance at her surroundings, she made a quick decision. “It 

looks like there’s a 24–hour convenience store in front. Sir, can you pull over there. 

later?” 

A77 

The light rain at first eventually turned into a downpour, causing the driver’s visibility 

to be restricted. As a result, Victoria and Ethan were already late by the time they 

arrived at their destination. 

There were very few people in the venue. Ethan took out the invitation letter, and the 

Chapter 198 The Power to Control the Purse Strings 

attitude of the entrance reception staff instantly became reverent and respectful. 

“Sir, Miss, this way, please.” 

Since Victoria attended this charity auction on behalf of Bane, she naturally became 

the guest of honor. That was why the staff took Victoria and Ethan to the VIP area. 

Still, due to their late arrival, the auction had already started. Therefore, they would 

interrupt other guests of honor if they were to make their way to their VIP seats. 

After Victoria gave it a thought, she immediately said to the reception staff, “We’ll 

just sit in the back row seats.” 

The reception staff’s face took on a ghastly expression after hearing that. “I can’t 

possibly allow that. You are-” 

Victoria smiled softly and reassured by saying, “It’s okay. It’s on us. We arrived late. 

Besides, sitting in the back row wouldn’t affect us from bidding.” 

Even so, the reception staff still figured it was unprofessional of them to agree to let 

their VIP guests abruptly sit in the back row seats. After all, things would be awful 

for them if the higher–ups blamed them for such an arrangement. 

“Let’s go.” Victoria was already making her way toward the back–row seats. When 

Ethan saw this, he had no choice but to follow her. 

5/7 

Chapter 19 The Power to Control the Purse Strings 

When the staff saw that the dice had been cast, they simply ran over to report this 

unexpected incident to the management staff instead of dwelling on it. 

The first lot had been sold by the time Victoria and Ethan took their seats. 

Ethan handed over the auction catalog right after they sat down.. 

Once she was done browsing through the catalog, she said, “The item that Mr. 

Morison wants to bid on isn’t in these beginning lots.” 

He nodded. “Yes. I suppose that item would be the finale of this auction.” 

“Finale…” Victoria seemed lost in thought. “If it’s the finale lot, it looks like Mr. 

Morison will blow a huge hole in his bank account tonight.” 

Ethan couldn’t help but smile after he heard Victoria’s metaphor. “Miss Selwyn, don’t. 

worry about it. Mr. Morison can still afford to take out this amount of money.” 

Victoria didn’t answer. Of course, I know Bane can afford it. After all, this amount of 

money is, at any rate, like a drop in the bucket and just as common as ordinary folks 

buying gifts for their elders to Bane. 

“How I wish I could spend as freely as him,” she lamented casually. Frankly speaking, 

6/7 

Chapter 198 The Power to Control the Purse Strings 

she was envisioning that she might also have such a chance once she established. 

and further expanded her company. Nonetheless, she would never dare assume. 

that she could come close to Bane’s financial status. After all, her family 

background wasn’t on par with Bane’s. Still, the profit earned was enough for her. 

and her two children to spend lavishly. 

To her surprise, Ethan chuckled and abruptly blurted, “That’s easy. Just marry Mr. 

Morison if you want to spend as freely as him.” 

Victoria fell silent. At the same time, the initial relaxed atmosphere turned stagnant  S~ᴇaʀᴄh the FɪndNøvel.ɴet website on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

due to Ethan’s words. 

He immediately realized that he had made an improper remark. Regrettably, it was 

already too late as the atmosphere had gotten too awkward. Even so, he tried to 

salvage the situation by saying, “Well, Mr. Morison fancies you. So, he will 

undoubtedly let you have the power to control his purse strings.” 

7/7 

If Ethan had known that the atmosphere in the air could get even tenser than it was 

before this, he would have kept his mouth shut instead of attempting to salvage the 

situation, for things instantly turned even stranger as soon as those words escaped. 

his lips. 

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