Departed With A Belly {1}

Should I Switch Places for the Sake of you two

After the show ended, everyone went inside the house. Then, Hector ordered the chef to make some meals that adhered strictly to Griselda's
health requirements. However, since it was getting late, she ate only a few bites before setting down her silverware.

"Thank you, everyone. I'm thrilled today," Griselda said. Afterward, she went to clean herself. Initially, Victoria wanted to help, but Griselda gently patted her hands and said, "You don't have to help me. I can wash myself. After all, I can still walk."

Before Victoria could say anything, Griselda had already turned her head to Claudia and said, "It's getting late, Claudia. Why don't you stay here for
the night? I'll let Victoria ask the servants to clean up a room for you."At that moment, Claudia was eating absent-mindedly before Griselda spoke to her.

When she heard Griselda's words, she immediately shook her head and said, "It's fine, Old Mrs. Cadogan It's inappropriate for me to stay here."

"Why not?" Griselda asked. "We have many guest rooms in our house. Plus, it won't be a headache to clean it. You are our savior. It's only right that we let you stay the night."

Given what Griselda has said, it would be rude for Claudia to continue declining her invitation. Moreover, Claudia also wanted to stay for the night. After all, she would then be able to get closer to Alaric. Before Claudia could say anything, Victoria smiled and said softly, "Mr.
Bowen, can you please find someone to clean up a room for Miss Johnson."

"Yes, Mrs. Cadogan." Hector nodded in head sulkily. Throughout the conversation, Alaric was quiet as he sat in his seat. Soon, the others left and returned to their stations, leaving the masters alone.

The few servants who stayed behind sensed something weird and scurried off. When no one was around them, Claudia glanced at Victoria
before looking at him and asked quietly,"Would it be bad if I stay for the night, Al? I-I think I should get going." On the other hand, Victoria observed Claudia still seated despite her
declaration that she was leaving.

"It's fine. You can stay here for a night," Alaric replied with a faint expression. "Then..." Claudia turned her gaze to Victoria. "Can I stay for the night, Victoria? Will you be unhappy about it?"
When Victoria heard that, she was at a loss for words.

After all, she had never expected to be involved in this matter. Why did she ask for my permission when she had already asked him? She knows I can't say anything, yet she still wants to act eccentric. Thinking about it, she smiled and acted generous. "Of course not. I'm happy that you are staying."

Then, she cocked an eyebrow and asked, "Do I need to swap places for the sake of you two?" When Alaric heard her words, he frowned deeply and looked at Victoria. In the meantime, Claudia was baffled by her words. After some time, she
asked dryly, "W-What do you mean by that?"

Victoria tugged her hair behind her ear and looked relaxed. "I meant what I said. Think about it, Miss Johnson. I'm sure you'll understand." Then, she stood up from her seat and didn't want to say anything more. "Call me if you need anything. I'll try my best to help you." After saying that, she walked away.

As Alaric watched her leave, a cold aura emanated from him. Next to him, Claudia sat with a puzzled expression; after all, she hadn't anticipated Victoria's statement.

Initially, she wanted to provoke Victoria, but she
never thought Victoria would say it aloud to his face! After that, Claudia looked at him with a sad face. "Did I say something wrong, Al? I'm sorry. I didn't know that she would be angry. I think I'll just go home." As she spoke, she stood up and rushed out.

As she hurried by, he reached out and tugged on her arm. "Just stay. You don't have to care about her words," he said with a frown.

"But-"

Suddenly, Hector rushed over and cut her off. "Sir, Miss Johnson's room is ready."Huh? Is my room already done? They just left minutes ago. How could they possibly have cleaned it so fast? Claudia looked at the butler in shock.

She wondered if he had cleaned the room thoroughly for her. "Okay." However, Alaric wasn't in the mood to notice it. Instead, he looked at her and said, "Hector will lead you to your room. Get some rest."

Then, he walked in the direction where Victoria had left. However, he did not hear her calling out to him, and as he left, he turned his back on her.

As Claudia stood on the spot, she was upset. She hated the fact that Victoria had said those strange words. However, Hector's cold voice sounded before she could think any further.

"Shall I take you to your room Miss Johnson?"
Although she didn't like his attitude, she couldn't do anything. Thus, she forced a smile on her face and said, "Thank you, Mr. Bowen." However, the butler ignored her words and walked away with a stoic expression. She could only suppress her dissatisfaction and quickly chased after him.

When Victoria went to her room, she closed the door and entered the bathroom. She propped her hands on the sink and looked into the mirror,
seeing herself in the reflection. After uttering those words, she was pleased to see Claudia's bewildered expression and Alaric's distressed
face.

As expected, one can only be defeated in their own way, she thought. Since she dares to say weird things to me, I can do the same. I don't need to get angry because of her. I can fight back using her way.

After all, everyone knew how to act pitifully. When she was deep in thought, someone opened the bathroom door. She was startled and turned to see Alaric enter the bathroom. Since he was
tall, the bathroom became narrow as soon as he stepped inside.

Her frown deepened as soon as she laid eyes on him. "What do you mean by that earlier statement of yours?" he asked coldly, looking at her with a darkened gaze.

Victoria shrugged in response and replied, "I'm trying to help you guys. What else am I doing?"After hearing that, Alaric frowned even deeper and emitted an even more intimidating aura. Meanwhile, she didn't want to be in the same room as him, so she planned to leave. However, she couldn't get out since he was blocking the door.

"Please move," she said. Alaric didn't budge and just stood there like a rock. Victoria frowned and
squeezed through the gap on the left side. Just as she was about to pass through, he leaned toward the left side and blocked her way.

She was rendered speechless by his conduct. Hence, she silently looked at him and walked over to the other side. However, he also blocked the other side and had no intention of letting her exit the bathroom. After a while, she was fed up with him, so she raised her head and glared at him.

"What exactly do you want? If you have nothing to do, you can just find your "Before she could finish her words, Alaric grabbed her shoulders and pinned her against the cold bathroom walls.

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Edited on: July 12, 2024
Time: 10:37 pm
Word count: 1246 words