Chapter 43 877 % " W - What ? " Claudia couldn't believe what she was hearing . This was not what she wanted at all . She had hoped that after she made Alaric lunch , she would show him her injured finger when she went to his office . Then , he would be moved and concerned for her . Following that , the two of them could be alone together and deepen their relationship . But now , it seemed like that wasn't going to happen . Claudia tried to hide her disappointment and said awkwardly , " Al , what are you going to do ? If it's not going to take too long , I can wait for you in your office . " " Sorry , Claudia , I'll be gone for a while . You should go back first , " replied Alaric . 1/9 11:10 Mon , 19 Jun Chapter 43 I'm Not an Outsider please . " 877 % Claudia didn't want to leave just yet . She bit her lip and turned to look at Alaric , her eyes slightly red . How about this ? Would he still be indifferent to me if I act like this ? However , Alaric did not notice her tearful look and had already left with long strides as if he had some urgent matter to attend to . Claudia could only stand there and watch as he disappeared . Alaric's assistant spoke again , " Miss Johnson , are we leaving ? " Claudia glanced at Alaric's assistant who had an impassive look in his eyes and an unfriendly tone of voice . She felt like he didn't like her . Her intuition was right though ; Alaric's assistant didn't like her because everyone in the company knew about Alaric and Victoria's relationship . As Claudia had deliberately come to the meeting room with a lunch box , ( which made her intentions obvious . 2/9 11:10 Mon , 19 Jun £ & £ 77 % ▪ Chapter 43 I'm Not an Outsider After hanging around Victoria for so long , the assistant thought that she was a really capable yet friendly woman , so it was annoying to see Claudia act this way around Alaric . Although the assistant was annoyed by Claudia's actions , he didn't say anything since he was only there to help Alaric with his work . Nevertheless , Claudia was reluctant to leave at the moment . She had put so much effort into cooking and injuring her finger . If she were to leave now , what was the point ? The injury would heal very soon , and it wouldn't do if she had to deepen her wound to show Alaric later . She couldn't let this opportunity go to waste . So , she smiled and asked the assistant , " Where did Al go ? Will he be back this afternoon ? If he'll come back , can I wait for him in his office ? " The assistant had no expression on his face as he spoke in a monotone voice , " I'm not sure about Mr. Cadogan's schedule . As for you going to the office , I'm sorry , Miss Johnson , but that's not possible . The office does not 3/9 11:10 Mon , 19 Jun Chapter 43 I'm Not an Outsider allow outsiders to enter when Mr. Cadogan is not there . " 0377 % Claudia almost couldn't hold back her anger . She tugged her lips stiffly and said , " I'm not an outsider . " The assistant replied , " I can't be sure of that . " This assistant is so annoying . The first thing I'll do when I become the lady boss of the Cadogan Group is to replace this assistant of Alaric's . He's such a blind idiot . 4/9 Claudia cursed in her mind , but on the surface , she still maintained her calm and beautiful appearance . " Well , then , can you please take me back ? By the way , I made this lunch with great effort . Since Al didn't have a chance to eat it , you can have it . " Although she hated the assistant , he was still working by Alaric's side at the moment , so she had to suck up to him for a bit . It would be even better if she could win him over to her side . However , the assistant took a big 11:10 Mon , 19 Jun Chapter 43 I'm Not an Outsider 77 % step back and shook his head . " Miss Johnson , I can't accept something for nothing . " 5/9 Claudia was so angry that she almost exploded . In the end , the assistant sent Claudia back home . When Alaric arrived at the nursing home , the time was almost right . His tense mood when he came here was also relaxed when he saw the scene of Victoria lying beside Griselda and leaning against Griselda's leg . When Griselda heard the noise , she looked over at him . The two of them looked at each other , and then Griselda made a gesture for him to be quiet . Only then did Alaric notice that Victoria was actually sleeping next to Griselda's leg . As Griselda's legs were feeble , Alaric went up to Victoria , bent down gently , picked her up , and placed her on the small bed beside them . She was 11:10 Mon , 19 Jun Chapter 43 I'm Not an Outsider 877 % probably in deep sleep as she didn't even wake up when Alaric moved her . She even subconsciously rubbed her head against the soft pillow , and then fell back asleep again , hugging the covers in her arms . 6/9 When Alaric saw her like this , he couldn't help but reach out and gently pinch her soft cheek . She was so cute even when she was asleep . Her skin . was so soft and smooth ; Alaric couldn't help but pinch it again . Just as he was about to extend his other hand to continue pinching her , Griselda said in a soft voice , " Now , now . Are you trying to wake her up ? " Hearing this , Alaric's movement paused , and then he awkwardly cleared his throat . " No , Grandma . I'm not . " Griselda then motioned for Alaric to take her outside in her wheelchair . He obliged , and as soon as they left the room , Griselda's voice returned to its normal volume . " That little girl said she wanted to hear me tell a story , but she fell asleep before I even got halfway through . I don't know if it's because I'm a boring storyteller or if she hasn't been getting enough rest 11:10 Mon , 19 Jun Chapter 43 I'm Not an Outsider lately . " " It's probably because she hasn't been getting enough rest , " Alaric responded . " She's got pretty bad dark circles under her eyes . " à477 % ☁ Earlier , when he pinched her cheeks , he noticed that her dark circles were especially pronounced . It was probably because she had pale skin . " What's going on ? " Griselda asked . " Why hasn't she been getting enough rest ? Have you been bullying her ? " Alaric was dumbfounded . " Bullying her ? Me ? I wouldn't dare . If only she didn't bully me . Since we were kids , she's always been the one to get the upper hand . " " Ha ! " Griselda snorted . " You're a boy . So , what if you're bullied ? You're even acting like you're the one who's been wronged ." " No , that's not it ," Alaric protested . " I'm just telling the truth . " 7/9 11:10 Mon , 19 Jun 877 % Chapter 43 I'm Not an Outsider " Anyway , you're not allowed to bully her . That girl is really dear to me . Even though she's not my real granddaughter , I swear she's just as important to me as if she were . " 8/9 Alaric didn't argue with that . Everyone could see it for what it was . " Mmm . " Victoria didn't know how long she'd been asleep . She just felt really tired and the bed was comfortable . When she woke up , she hadn't even opened her eyes yet when she stretched lazily . After she was done stretching , she suddenly realized something and opened her eyes wide , only to be met with Alaric's smiling gaze . " You're awake ? " he asked . Alaric ? Victoria was surprised to see him sitting on the edge of her bed . When she looked around the room , she recognized it as Griselda's . 11:10 Mon , 19 Jun Chapter 43 I'm Not an Outsider " Where's Grandma ? " she asked while placing her hand on her forehead , feeling annoyed at herself . " How did I fall asleep ? " 77 % 會 9/9 " Grandma went for a medical examination ," Alaric explained while looking at her . " How could you fall asleep while she was telling you a story? No one else does that but you . "