Chapter 24 There she goes again , talking like that . 1/11 Victoria used to think of Claudia as a gentle and sweet person because of how generous and modest she was in public . But this was the second time she said something like this after her recent return to the country . The first time was about Alaric , and now it was about the house's servants . What appeared to be gratitude was actually her staking her claim . But the reality was Claudia had no right over either Alaric or the servants . It would be reasonable for her to say these words now if she and Alaric were lovers before . 10:43 Mon , 19 Jun Chapter 24 Hint 80 % 2/11 But they were never even together , Victoria thought . So , what gives her the right to talk to me this way ? What's more , if they were a couple back then , Victoria wouldn't have agreed to this fake marriage no matter how much she liked Alaric . However , Claudia did help her before . And so , Victoria could only bite her lip to calm herself down while she repressed the discomfort in her chest . She only let out a small smile without saying anything . Her lack of discomfort , or even reaction , was as frustrating as pouring water into a leaking bowl for Claudia . However , Claudia knew that she couldn't delay this any longer . " Shall we talk in the mini garden ? " she asked with a smile . It was probably due to how Victoria completely ignored Claudia's friend 10:43 Mon , 19 Jun Chapter 24 Hint before that made Claudia panic . So , after she finished speaking , she lowered her voice and added , " Walls have ears . Let's not talk here . " 80 % 3/11 " Okay . " Victoria nodded and stood up to walk outside . If possible , she didn't want to waste even one minute talking to Claudia . However , " favor " was probably the hardest thing to return to someone . When they reached the mini garden , Victoria led Claudia to a remote and secluded area . Claudia finally felt more relaxed after she took a look around . Talking here shouldn't be a problem . Still , she wasn't completely at ease . " No one will eavesdrop on our conversation here , right ? " 10:43 Mon , 19 Jun Chapter 24 Hint 80 % Victoria came to a short pause before she shook her head . " The servants rarely come here . The gardener usually comes in the morning to water and maintain the plants . " 4/11 It was almost afternoon now . " Good, " Claudia sighed , relieved . She then flashed Victoria a friendly smile as she took out an envelope from her pocket and handed it to Victoria . " This is for you ," she said . Victoria only took a glance without accepting it . Seeing her standing there without moving , Claudia took a step forward and placed the envelope in Victoria's palm . It was a thin envelope that Victoria had a feeling she knew what was inside . 10:43 Mon , 19 Jun 80 % Chapter 24 Hint With her fingertips pinching the envelope , she felt her heart continue to sink . 5/11 The corners of her lips pulled into a smile as she looked at Claudia . " What is the meaning of this ? " " Ahem … " Claudia had a guilty glint in her eyes . " Victoria , you are a smart woman . I'm sure you know what this is . I won't put it into words . " " Oh , yeah ? " However , Victoria seemed to have a fixation on something as she bit her lower lip with her pearly whites . " I may not know what you mean if you don't say it outright . " Claudia's face darkened immediately . She didn't want to directly mention Victoria's pregnancy . Alaric was still clueless about this . 10:43 Mon , 19 Jun Chapter 24 Hint 80 % Now that she came to Victoria to solve the problem , she could only hint at it instead of being straightforward about it . 6/11 She didn't trust Victoria . If Victoria had a recording device with her and recorded Claudia's words , the beautiful image that Claudia created for herself would crumble in an instant the moment Victoria sent the recorded content to Alaric . She could never let that happen . She thought that Victoria would be an easy opponent to handle before she came here . But she didn't think that now . Victoria wouldn't have gotten pregnant if she was easy to deal with . Thinking of this , Claudia stepped forward and opened the envelope for Victoria , showing a 7 - million check . 10:43 Mon , 19 Jun Chapter 24 Hint Claudia uttered softly , " You have worked hard in the past 2 years . You helped Al a lot both in and out of the company , and he told me that you are a capable woman who can endure hardships . I'm sure it hasn't been easy on you to live a life like this when you were brought up as the young miss of the Selwyn Family . This isn't a lot of money , but I'm giving you this sincerely . You can buy what you like and get some healthy food for yourself . " When she mentioned those last few words , she deliberately tightened her grip on Victoria's wrist and gently pressed the palm of Victoria's hand with her fingertips . Victoria raised her gaze and looked directly into Claudia's eyes . Claudia nodded at her and let out a soft , regretful sigh , and she even reached out to lightly pat Victoria on the shoulder . She looked as though she couldn't say any more than this . 7/11 10:43 Mon , 19 Jun Chapter 24 Hint Victoria suddenly felt suffocated looking at her . 3 Alaric asked her to take a vacation in the office yesterday . Just like Claudia , he was hinting at her to take good care of her health . 80 % 8/11 For them to hint at something like this … They care about their dignity a whole lot , don't they ? Victoria's cherry lips moved a little . What should I say ? Should I thank them for worrying about my body ? For giving me a break from work and giving me money to let me recuperate ? Will I disappoint them if I don't accept any of those ? Suddenly , she noticed how ridiculous all of this was . Here she was , struggling with making a decision , and yet someone else was deciding 10:43 Mon , 19 Jun Chapter 24 Hint her future for her . 80 % Seeing the grief and indignation in Victoria's eyes , Claudia wanted to say something , only to see Victoria push the check back to her . " Victoria … " 9/11 Does she not want the check ? Why won't she take it ? Panicking , Claudia urged , " Is the sum too small for you ? This is all I can give you for now . If you think it's too little , I can- " " It's all right , " Victoria coldly cut her off . As she shook her head , she firmly stated , " I don't want money . " Claudia was frozen in place . " You don't want money ? " she repeated . What does she want then ? Alaric ? Chapter 24 Hint A mean look flashed in her eyes when she thought that Victoria was exactly like what her friends said . She refused to give up her position as Mrs. Cadogan , now that it had been 2 years since she held onto the title ! Victoria nodded and insisted , " I don't want money . " 10/11 She had already made a decision she herself didn't think she would make before Claudia came . She wanted the child . She would give birth to it and raise it well without relying on anyone else . The child had nothing to do with anyone but her . Since she had decided to do that , it wouldn't make sense for her to take Claudia's money . Not only Claudia's , but Victoria also wouldn't even take Alaric's money if he 10:43 Mon , 19 Jun Chapter 24 Hint gave her any . She would be indebted to Claudia again if she took the money . 11/11 What if Alaric wants the child back ? What if Claudia can't accept the existence of the child someday ? Because of that , she wanted neither Claudia's nor Alaric's money. 8