Departure with a Belly (Alaric and Victoria)

Chapter 353

After this, all that’s needed is his cooperation. Claudia had already prepared

herself and was only waiting for the man to turn her down.

“You want five percent of the shares? Okay.”

“No? Well then, I-” Claudia had barely begun her speech when the man’s

“Okay” threw her off balance. Stunned, she froze on the spot, unable to

believe what she had just heard. Did I… hear it wrong just now? Did Alaric just

agree to give me five percent of the shares?

Claudia had checked out the Cadogan Group’s profitability earlier on. She

had only a slight understanding of it, but from what she knew, her personal

worth would skyrocket in the future if Alaric really gave her five percent of the

company’s shares. But… how could he possibly agree to it? She looked at the

man in disbelief. “Al, you…” Is he really willing to give me five percent of the

Cadogan Group’s shares just to cut all ties with me? Can he actually go this

far for Victoria’s sake?

Realizing that he was only doing so for Victoria’s sake, Claudia ground her

teeth in hatred. However, recalling her objective, she held back and said with

Chapter 353 After Tonight Copyright Nôv/el/Dra/ma.Org.

a smile, “Al, don’t tell me you’d really give me five percent of the shares?

We’re talking about five percent of the shares here, you know.”

Alaric looked up at her. “You think that’s a lot?”

Claudia replied, “Isn’t it so?”

“Well then, let’s add another five percent to make up ten percent for you.”

Claudia’s heart skipped a beat. “W–What?” She thought she had heard it

wrong; her heart began racing wildly. “Ten percent, you say?” This was so

tempting, she thought she was on the verge of accepting it. Didn’t she take

credit for saving Alaric’s life back then because she wanted to stay by his

side? Even now, she wanted to stay by his side for the title of the future wife

of the Cadogan Group’s president. And the only reason she was after the title

was for the money. If I can really get the ten–percent shares, then why do I

have to…

Just when her heart was pounding, Alaric replied coldly without even looking

up, “That’s right, but you’ve got to sign an agreement. There’ll be no more

contact between you and me after you accept the shares. All the things I’ve

said before will be null and void, and you’re not allowed to bring them up ever

Chapter 3523 After Tonight

again.”

Claudia had to admit that she was really tempted. She hadn’t thought the

man would give her five percent of the shares, but not only did he agree to

do so, he even offered double the amount just to have nothing more to do

with her and be with Victoria… Her mind, previously calm and clear, went

astray at the thought of this. She bit her lower lip. Inwardly, she was still

resentful and unsatisfied.

Actually… had Victoria not put a spoke in my wheel, the whole Cadogan

Group would’ve belonged to my child, let alone ten percent of its shares;

even Alaric would’ve been mine, too. And yet, now I can only get ten percent

of the company’s shares. Why is that so? Why should I give way to Victoria

like that? All of this could’ve been mine in the first place! At the thought of

this, she made a new decision in her mind. Looking up at Alaric, she said with

a wry smile, “Al, I didn’t think you would go this far for her sake. But since

you’re willing to do this, it means that your feelings for her are no longer

something that I can interfere with at will. In that case, all I can do is wish your

two happiness.”

Her last remark caused Alaric to look at her in surprise. “So you’re accepting

it?”

Chapter 353 After Tonight

Claudia nodded gently. “I think you’re right. Adults should behave with dignity,

and it’s really ugly to keep pestering you. It’s true that I love you a lot, but it’s

really difficult for love to be reciprocated, so I have no choice but to give you

my blessing and wish you two can stay together forever,” she said in all

sincerity with complete composure as though she had really gotten over it.

Alaric’s hostility vanished when he heard her wish that he and Victoria could

stay together forever. His lips curved into a faint smile. “Thank you.”

Claudia felt her heart clench. He really knows how to hurt me deeply. “Well

then, can we sign the agreement now?”

Alaric looked at her. “I’ll have someone draw it up and send it to you

tomorrow.”

“No.” Claudia shook her head. “Let’s get it done tonight. We’re talking about

ten percent of shares here. I’m afraid you’ll regret it.” The thing was, she might

never have had the opportunity to be alone with him like this and have drinks.

with him again after tonight, so she had to seize this opportunity to get the

shares and sleep with him in order to get pregnant with his child. And

besides, God probably took pity on her and thus decided to help her out, for

she happened to be in her fertile period these days. As long as I can get

Chapter 353 After Tonight

pregnant at one stroke–coupled with my having saved his life before–I’ll no

longer have to worry about being unable to contend against Victoria, no? she

thought, forming a plan in her mind.

Alaric looked at her for a long time. Then, he stood up and went out to call his

attorney.

Seeing that he had gone out, Claudia thought her opportunity had arrived at

last. Immediately, she unzipped her handbag and took out the powder

Scarlette had given her. After slipping it into one of the wine glasses, she

swiftly uncapped the wine bottle and filled the glass to the brim. Then, she

hurriedly swirled the wine in the glass to make sure the powder was evenly

dissolved.

This was her first time ever doing so, and her heart was pounding so much.

with fear that it nearly jumped out of her chest. For the first time, she felt so

despicable, but there was nothing she could do about it. It’s his fault for not

being with me, no? I can’t be blamed for this; I just love him too much, that’s

all. I want both him and the Cadogan Group!

Perhaps due to nervousness, her hand suddenly trembled as she swirled the

wine glass, spilling a lot of red wine at once. Startled, she nearly threw the

Chapter 353 After Tonight

wine glass away.

Just then, she heard footsteps outside; Alaric seemed to have returned.

Turning ashen with fright, Claudia hastily put the glass of wine back where it

was. Since it was too late, she could only rush to pull out a paper towel from

the side and wipe the spilled red wine off the table.

The sound of footsteps could be heard reaching the door.

Alaric had returned, but the wine glass in front of her was still empty. She

could only hurry to pour wine into her glass and was midway through it when

the man came in.

“I’ve let my attorney draw up the agreement, and he’ll deliver it here as soon

as it’s done. You-” Alaric intended to tell her to leave now, only to pause for a

moment when he came in and saw what she was doing.

Claudia suppressed her nervousness while feigning composure. “Okay, I’ll

wait here, then. Shall we have a couple of drinks?” she said. With that, she

picked up the wine glass she had just finished pouring in front of her and

brought it to her lips, drinking most of it in one gulp.

Chapter 25 After Tonight

Alaric darted a glance at her. “Suit yourself,” he replied. Then, he turned

around and was about to leave.

At the sight of this, Claudia instantly called out to him in a panic. “Don’t go, Al. I

still have something to say to you.”

Alaric paused at her words. “We’ve already said whatever there is to say.

There’s no point in saying anything else.”

“Even so, I’d like to say it. After all, tonight is our last night together–no, the

last bit of time before your attorney arrives.”