Departure with a Belly BY Victoria Selwyn CHAPTER 85

Just then, someone asked, “Do you suppose Alaric will come to Bane’s
welcome home party?”
“I don’t think he’ll miss it. They were pretty close back then.”
“But why hasn’t he shown up, then?”
Yeah, why hasn’t he shown up?
Claudia instinctively glanced at her phone. She had sent Alaric a text
message before setting off, asking for his whereabouts. However, he didn’t
reply to her. Hence, she assumed he was driving.
But it had already been a while since she arrived, yet he still hadn’t shown
up nor replied to her text. She couldn’t help getting a little worried.
A scheme flashed across Claudia’s friend when she saw the young
e
Exness Markets
TREE
INSTALL
Chapter 85 Growing Anxiety
woman checking her phone. At that, she suggested in front of everyone,
“Claudia, why don’t you give Alaric a call? Ask him where he’s at. I’m sure
he answers all your calls.”
At that, Claudia glanced at her friend, who winked at her, suggesting that
she make the call.
Claudia knew exactly what she was trying. Her friends just wanted to help
her confirm her relationship with Alaric in front of everyone. However…
Alaric still hasn’t replied to the text she sent before setting off. Will he
answer if I call at this time?
It wasn’t a safe bet, and she would certainly embarrass herself in front of
everyone if Alaric didn’t answer.
“Nah, forget it.” Claudia shrugged it off. “It’s already so late. He’s likely in the
elevator or on his way here. He probably wouldn’t answer it even if I called
him.”
Exness Markets
INSTALL
41 FREE
2/9
16:33 Wed, 21
Chapter 85 Growing Anxiety
To her dismay, the crowd’s interest was already piqued.
“But you won’t know until you try. C’mon, call him.”
“Yeah, Claudia. We all know how much you mean to Alaric. He will
definitely answer your call even if he’s driving.”
At that, everyone urged her to make the call. Feeling that she had been
put in a tight spot, Claudia subconsciously turned to Bane when a thought
hit her.
Lo and behold, the man merely lowered his head and stared at his phone,
seemingly unaware of the commotion.
“C’mon, Claudia. Call him. It’s been ages since we heard Alaric’s voice.”
“Yeah, Claudia. Just do it to satisfy our curiosity.”
Satisfy your curiosity? Huh! Claudia sneered. Who do you people think you
ke
ZX
Exness Markets
INSTALL
3/9
Chapter 85 Growing Anxiety
are? Satisfy your curiosity. I wouldn’t even come if not for Alaric’s sake!
At that, the young woman pulled a smile. Just as she was about to speak
up, the door opened, grabbing everyone’s attention.

1
Alaric, in a black coat, showed up, with Victoria following closely behind in
a similarly designed beige trench coat. Her long hair had also been tied up
behind her head, and her fair face looked clean and makeup-free.
Even so, it didn’t affect her beauty one bit. Her facial features were sharp,
to begin with, and her skin was also fair and smooth. Applying makeup
would roughen up her face instead.
The number of guests in the private room stupefied Victoria for a second,
whereas Alaric was unfazed the entire time. Seeing that the man had no
intention of explaining their tar diness, Victoria spoke up, apologizing,
“Sorry. The traffic was a little heavy.”
Her voice was clear and melodious, like flowing water, and she looked.
ke
Exness Markets
INSTALL
41. TRIE
Chapter 85 Growing Anxiety
slender and dainty standing next to Alaric. Plus, they were wearing
similarly designed coats, so it gave people the illusion that they agreed on
their outfits beforehand.
5/9
Back when everyone was still teenagers, Victoria and Alaric, who grew up
together, were practically inseparable, and everyone was used to seeing.
www
the two appearing anywhere together. But it was precisely because of
that that no one thought they would end up more than friends. Childhood
friends saw too much of each other’s most genuine side, so it was
impossible for them to end up together.
More importantly, the two would’ve long gotten together if they really had
feelings for each other. Hence, the crowd felt somewhat melancholy when
they saw them appear in similar clothing, and they couldn’t help turning
their gazes to Claudia too.
Naturally, the young woman wasn’t feeling her best, for the couple’s stunt
was like a slap in the face.
www
ex
Exness Markets
INSTALL
4.1 ■ THEE
Chapter 25 Growing Anxiety
Her anxiety grew at that. Things were getting more and more out of hand,
but what could she do? The least she could do was to not embarrass
herself in front of so many people, right?
At that, she walked toward Victoria and wrapped her arms around
Victoria’s arm affectionately. “Don’t worry about it. What matters most is
that you guys arrived safely. Come and sit with me.”
Having witnessed Claudia’s true colors in the past, Victoria knew the
woman had a thing for acting in front of a crowd. Hence, she drooped her
eyelids slightly when Claudia wrapped her arms around hers. She didn’t
turn the young woman down but instead followed her to their seats.
Everyone was surprised, and they gazed at the two with mixed emotions.
Alaric, on the other hand, sat down next to Bane, who, despite greeting
Alaric with a ‘hey’, was actually staring at Victoria.
“Hey.” Alaric took a gander at Bane after sitting down. When he saw the
ex
Exness Markets
41 TREE
INSTALL
6/9
Chapter 85 Growing Anxiety
latter staring in one direction, a thought hit him, and he followed his line of
sight to find who else but Victoria!
Instantly, he turned slightly grim while his gaze deepened, exuding
animosity.
Sensing an icy gaze on her, Victoria turned around only to meet Alaric’s
frosty gaze.
It took her aback, and she quickly frowned. Is he looking at me like that
because I’m sitting next to his precious beloved? Huh, I knew I should’ve
rejected her in front of everyone. But he’d probably only be even more
pi ssed off, right?
Claudia was also looking at Alaric, and her anxiety grew further as he had
been looking only at Victoria since he arrived.
At that, she drooped her eyelids and bit her lower lip lightly while her
fingers bunched up together.
@XX
ex
Exness Markets
INSTALL
FALE
7/9
16:33 Wed, 21 Jun
Chapter 85 Growing Anxiety
The four of them had seemingly plunged into an eerie atmosphere, and it
was quite a while before someone finally asked for the menu and asked
everyone if they wanted booze.
Bane turned it down with a smile. “I drove here. So, I’ll have to say no. Feel
free to drink if you guys want to, though.”
Alaric, on the other hand, remained silent, and as usual, no one dared ask
him when they sensed his frosty aura.
In the beginning, everyone was just chatting about their recent years, but
after a few glasses of a certain beverage, everyone grew bolder.
A guy in glasses, who was a lightweight, was already tipsy, and he sized
Claudia’s face up for a long while before finally holding his glass and
saying, Princess Claudia, it’s not every day all of us get to meet up. Are
you and Alaric really not going to drink with us?”
Silence filled the private room momentarily before bursting into a tumult
Exness Markets
INSTALL
FREL
8/9
16:33 Wed, 21 Jun
Chapter 85 Growing Anxiety
again.
“Yeah, join us! It’s quite a feat that you guys can be together for so many
years.”
“Yeah! When are you guys finally going to invite us to your wedding?!”
exclaimed the man in glasses.
Claudia reflexively glanced at Alaric and found him sitting silently with his
eyelids drooped, looking like he couldn’t hear a word anyone said.
At that, Claudia could only chuckle awkwardly and say, “Cut it out, guys. Al
isn’t someone you guys can simply make fun of anymore.”
Exness Markets