Departure with a Belly (Alaric and Victoria) novel Chapter 375

Chapter 375 

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Claudia lay back on her bed, covering her face and crying her heart out. Even she felt 

like beating herself up. She should’ve stopped while she was ahead, but it was too late 

for regrets. No one could help her now. Wait, there is still someone who can help me. 

She had someone in mind, and she quickly leaped out of bed. “Quick, get me a cab, 

Lila!” 

It was a busy night, indeed. 

Claudia and Lila were at a quiet plaza. Ethan poured a cup of tea for Bane, and steam 

swirled in the air. Claudia stood before Bane while Lila held her up. She had been 

standing for quite a while, but Bane didn’t even let her sit. Ethan showed her no 

hospitality either, aside from the cup of tea. 

She had come out in a hurry, so she was wearing nothing but patient attire, revealing 

her wrist covered in cut wounds. The only warm clothing she had was from Lila, but 

even so, the cold still made her shiver. She yearned for a cup of tea. It should be 

enough to warm me up. 

However, no matter how much she stared at the tea, Bane still didn’t move. He looked 

aloof, unlike his usual self, though he was still elegant as ever as he sipped his tea. He 

blew on it and took a sip. 

12:28 Thu, 6 Jul GS 

Chapter 375 Not Working With Idiots 

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A gust of wintry gale whizzed past the place, and the ladies shivered. No longer able to 

hold it in, Claudia inquired, “B–Bane, so what d–do you think?” 

Finally, the man looked at her for a brief moment before putting his cup down. “I’m 

sorry, Miss Johnson, but I have no plans on working with a fool.” 

Ethan looked at Bane upon hearing that. That’s the man I know. The persona he 

acquired after meeting Miss Selwyn is disappearing. 

Claudia paled, and her lips started trembling. “W–What did you say?” It was a hurtful 

reply, even though Bane was speaking politely. When he said he would see her, she 

thought he was amenable to a partnership, but no. She had it wrong. 

“You have nothing to bargain with me anymore, and you wasted all your overwhelming 

advantage. Despite all the edge you had, you still lost. I see no reason to work with 

someone who has no brains or brawn. I am no philanthropist.” 

She is worthless to me. Bane then told Ethan, “Escort her away.” 

Ethan stepped ahead and was about to escort Claudia away, but she flung Lila’s hand 

off and shouted, “No! I am not leaving! You like Victoria, don’t you? We can make a 

deal!” 

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Chapter 375 Not Working With Idiots 

“Oh?” Bane smiled. “Do you still think you have anything that’s tradeable? After 

everything that’s happened, you’re worth nothing to Alaric anymore. And so what if I 

like her? I see no point using that to negotiate.” His smile was slowly turning into a 

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sneer. “You should not bring my love for her up, let alone use it for your nefarious ends, 

scum.” 

The look on his face sent shivers down Claudia’s spine. She had a feeling Bane was not 

as friendly as he pretended to be. This man was on the brink of madness. If this were 

any other time, she would have left right away, but not this time. Now, she was 

desperate. She stepped ahead and bit her lip. “I am not trying to crack any jokes. Do 

you truly think you love her? Do you love her so much that you can ignore it when she’s 

kissing another man?” 

Bane looked at Ethan. “Take her away.” 

“She’s going to start a relationship with Alaric soon, and you’re just going to let them do 

it? I know you’ve been by her side for the last five years. Don’t you want to be with her? 

Are you just going to let someone else take her away from you?” Claudia screeched like 

an insane banshee. She was at her wits‘ end, but Bane remained calm and collected. 

“Had enough?” 

Claudia froze. What? He’s unfazed even after all that? No way. He must have stayed 

Chapter 375 Not Working With Idiots 

with Victoria for years because he likes her. It was the reason Claudia stopped asking 

her men to keep an eye on Victoria. She thought Bane and Victoria would end up 

together sooner or later. No woman could resist a man like Bane if he kept up with his 

advances for years. They would relent and say yes in the end. 

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However, Victoria was dirtier than she imagined, whereas Bane had more patience than 

expected. Even when things were looking dire enough for him, he was still unfazed. 

While she was in a stupor, Ethan came ahead and coldly said, “Miss Johnson, please