Departure with a Belly (Alaric and Victoria) novel Chapter 442

Chapter 442 

“Don’t worry about that. Mr. Cadogan has paid us one year’s fees in advance when we 

signed a contract.” 

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” 

One year? He paid in advance for one year?! Victoria was shocked when she heard this 

little tidbit. 

“So, we’ll protect your safety for this whole year, Miss Selwyn.” 

She couldn’t help but look up at him. “You will do whatever as long as you’re paid?” 

The lead man nodded. 

“Great. If I offer a higher price than he did for you to accompany me to leave the country 

and look for him, will you accept?” 

The leader fell silent. 

“Don’t worry. Alaric isn’t the only rich guy around. I have the money. If you don’t believe 

me, I can pay in advance as well.” 

“This…” 

“Or are your protection services only available within the country?” 

Chapter 442 Maybe Just Trying to Trick You 

“Well, no. We offer our services abroad as well. It’s just that… we’ve promised Mr. 

Cadogan to protect you. So, we- 

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“Yes.” Victoria pursed her lips. “You’re just here to protect me. You’re not here to limit 

my movement, right? Did he say that I wasn’t allowed to go anywhere when he paid you 

guys?” 

The few men didn’t know how to respond in the face of her sharp questions. 

As expected, they couldn’t limit where she decided to go. They would have to follow her 

wherever she wanted. After she made this crucial connection, she felt like she knew 

what she needed to do. 

“Um. Miss Selwyn, I’ve no objection to you wanting to go abroad, but I have to remind 

you one thing. How would you know if he was telling the truth? What if Mr. Cadogan is 

fine, and he was just trying to trick you?” 

The leader’s words held merit. That thought had passed through Victoria’s mind after 

her phone call with Bane. 

What if he’s trying to trick me? Victoria had known Bane for many years and he had 

always been by her side for the last five years. So, she felt that she knew him pretty 

well. Since he called her and said those words, it means that things were as she feared 

even though she frankly couldn’t figure out just how Alaric lost to him. 

Of course, this could just be Bane’s scheme as he also knew her very well. So, there 

was also a high chance that he intentionally said those things just to provoke her to go 

to him. 

Victoria lowered her eyes as she fell into deep thought. 

The leader caught sight of her hesitance and urged, “Miss Selwyn, I hope that you’ll 

reconsider your course of action.” 

She came back to her senses at his voice and looked at him, saying, “I can do that, but 

can you contact Alaric?” 

“This…” 

“You can’t get through to his phone or find him. You have no news of him, right?” 

Some things could be easily sussed out based on a few questions, but there were also 

some tricky situations where the water was murky, and one had no choice but to have a 

little faith. Victoria’s question rendered the men speechless. Since no one could 

contact Alaric, there was a high possibility he was in danger. 

Of course, Victoria was also worried that she would fall into a trap. So, she decided to 

play it safe by setting aside some time to wait for Terrance. 

Terrance had already gone abroad. So, she could only place her hopes on him. If he still 

couldn’t find Alaric even when he was there. Then… 

Victoria’s heart sank at that thought. Even though it was almost time for her to clock 

off, she went to look for Henry and chatted with him for a long time before finally 

leaving. 

When she returned home, she acted like nothing had happened and continued her life 

with the rest of the Cadogans as per usual. 

Although she had tried her best to hide her unease, Mary still noticed something was 

off. After dinner, Nicole and Nathan followed Adrian to the study to play while Mary 

quietly asked her, “How is it? Did you manage to get ahold of Alaric?” 

Victoria stiffened for a second at that question and didn’t know how to answer her. 

“What’s wrong? Is there something you’re worried about? Victoria, even though I’m not 

your biological mom, you can treat me as yours if you’re willing. You can tell me 

anything. I didn’t manage to see you when you first left and didn’t even know what 

happened between the two of you. If I knew, I would have told you that no matter what 

happens between you and Alaric… You can always consider me your mother even if 

things don’t work out between you and Alaric.” 

That sudden speech made Victoria’s eyes brim with tears as a warm feeling coursed 

through her heart, “Thank you, Mom. I’ll remember that.” 

Chapter 442 Maybe Just Trying to Trick You 

Victoria had always envied others for having mothers when she was young and 

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wondered why she didn’t have one. She desperately wanted a gentle and loving mother 

who would buy her beautiful dresses and would help her into those dresses. She 

wished for someone who would hold her to sleep and tell her stories at night. Then, 

when she woke up, a gentle morning kiss would grace her. Even though she couldn’t 

have all those, she still wished for those things. 

However, later on, she projected these feelings onto Griselda, who was an older female 

figure that became irreplaceable to her. 

“Your grandma’s gone now, but she was still thinking about you when she passed. She 

felt that she didn’t do enough for you and if she had talked to you and Alaric more, 

maybe you both wouldn’t have divorced.” 

Tears filled Victoria’s eyes at the mention of Griselda. The mention of Griselda was a 

trigger for Victoria as she regretted that she couldn’t see her one last time due to her 

stubbornness at that time. “I’m sorry. If I…” 

“It’s okay.” Mary held her wrist gently. “It’s in the past. Don’t apologize for that. I don’t 

want you to feel guilty by telling you this. If your grandma’s still alive, she wouldn’t want 

to see you blaming yourself. I just wanted to tell you the truth.” 

Victoria tried her best to blink away the tears in her eyes as words felt stuck in her 

throat. 

“So, no matter what happens between you and Alaric, let’s not repeat our mistakes.” 

“Okay.” 

ד 

Victoria took quite a while to calm down before she wiped the tears away from her 

cheeks and said, “Mom, I’ve got a favor to ask.” 

“What is it?” 

“Tonight… or maybe latest by tomorrow… I may need to go abroad.“/ 

Mary was a little surprised at the news but didn’t press for answers and simply waited 

for Victoria to tell her about her plans. 

“Nicky and Nate have never left my side ever since they were born. So, I’m not too sure 

how they would react when I leave. I’ll let them know that I have some business to 

settle abroad and tell them to behave. Still, when I’m gone, can I trouble you-” 

“Nonsense. It’s no trouble at all. I’m their grandmother. It’s my job to care for them too. 

Go do what you need to do and leave the rest to me. Besides, you’ve taught them well. 

Nicky and Nate are good kids.” 

Chapter 443 At a