Departure with a Belly (Alaric and Victoria) novel Chapter 261

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…” 

 

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