Chapter 7 Victoria spoke plainly and straightforwardly , unlike Claudia's polite but indirect approach . Suddenly , Claudia felt awkward . " I - I didn't mean that . " Nonetheless , Victoria didn't bother with her and changed the topic . Before leaving the clinic , Dominic gave her some medicine . He advised Claudia , " Although your friend doesn't want to take medicine , she should try to drink some if possible . I prescribed traditional medicine , and it won't harm her body . Only drink it a few times . " " Okay . " Soon , the three of them left the clinic and returned to the Cadogan Residence . As soon as they pulled into the driveway , Victoria , still in discomfort , attempted to exit the vehicle . All she wanted was to return to her room and sleep it off . Unfortunately , she stumbled and nearly fell forward as she stepped out of the car . Then , Alaric quickly caught her by the arm and frowned . " You're in this state , yet you still refuse to take medicine or get a shot . You're something else . " Claudia followed them out of the car and saw their hands touch . She hurried over and helped Victoria . " Let me help her , Al . " She assisted Victoria into the house , and when she saw the maids , she greeted them . The maids looked at Claudia with surprise in their eyes . " Did I see wrong ? Wasn't that Miss Johnson ? " " Who is Miss Johnson? " Most of the long - serving maids in the villa knew Claudia , but some newer ones didn't . " Claudia Johnson . She's the woman that Mr. Cadogan likes . Don't you know that ? " " Mr. Cadogan likes her ? " The young maid's eyes widened . " Isn't Mr. Cadogan already married ? " 054 % 2 " Most marriages within wealthy families are only business deals . No real love involved , " said the older maid , who had spent many long years in the Cadogan Residence and spoke confidently . " You guys are new here , so you don't understand . However , I was there when it all happened . Claudia isn't any random woman Mr. Cadogan likes . She actually saved his life . She went abroad to study for some time , and he's been waiting for her ever since . " " So , why did Mr. Cadogan marry someone else ? " asked one of the listening maids . " Well , that's because Old Mrs. Cadogan got sick and wanted to see him settle down and start a family . He had no choice but to find someone else . At that time , the Selwyn Family had gone bankrupt , so you know how it goes , " the older maid finished with a sly smirk . " It's a secret within upper - class society . Not many people know about it , so don't spread it around . " " I actually thought Mr. Cadogan and his wife were really in love . I had no idea it's all merely an act , " one of the other maids said , sounding disappointed . " Of course , it is all an act . Don't be so naive , " the older maid responded . As they were about to say more , a cough interrupted them . They turned around to see Hector standing there , his face dark and stern expression . " Don't you have work to do ? " he asked , and the group dispersed like startled birds . Once they were gone , he stood there . He was a man in his fifties with gray hairs in his eyebrows . He furrowed his brow when he heard that Claudia had returned . Chapter 7 Pour Away the Medicine That explains why the madam had been acting strangely last night . Meanwhile , Claudia helped Victoria back to her room . " Thank you , " Victoria said . " Don't mention it , " Claudia replied with a smile . " You should get some rest now . " " Okay . " Victoria took off her shoes and lay down . That was when she noticed Alaric entering the room slowly , his eyes wandering carelessly over her until they landed on Claudia . " Shall I send you home ? " he asked . After all , Claudia was in the Cadogan Residence and had no reason to stay there . So , she nodded . " Sure , thanks . " Before leaving , she glanced around the room and noticed a handcrafted men's suit on the coat rack outside . Only Alaric would wear that style . Suddenly , her face turned a little paler , and she silently followed him with Chapter 7 Pour Away the Medicine her lips pursed . Once everyone was gone , Victoria opened her eyes and looked up at the white coiling , fooling lost . What should I do about the child ? Being pregnant was not like anything else . She could hide her feelings for him well for a year , two years , or even 10 years , but what about being pregnant ? She couldn't hide it when the time came for her belly to show . The more she thought about it , the more her head spun , and she gradually fell into a long , deep sleep . In her dream , Victoria felt someone undoing her collar and then something cold covering her body . Her body was hot , and she felt comfortable . With a sigh , she instinctively grabbed the person's arm with her arms and legs . Then , she heard a muffled groan and heavy breathing . Her neck was held roughly but gently , and her lips were wetly covered . Soon , something probed into her mouth . She frowned and bit down on the foreign object , feeling the taste of blood in her mouth and the man's painful gasp . Then , she had been pushed aside before someone forcefully pinched her cheek . She faintly hoard the person say , " I've pampered you too much , haven't I ? You even bit down on me . " She winced in pain , grumbling and pushing away the person's hand before falling into a deep sleep . When Victoria woke up , it was already evening . A maid was by her side , who was delighted to see her wake up . " Mrs. Cadogan , you're awake . " The maid approached her , placing a hand on her forehead . " Thank goodness you've finally cooled down , Mrs. Cadogan . " Victoria looked at the maid before her , thinking of specific fragmented memories . Then , she asked , " Have you been caring for me this whole time ? " The maid's eyes sparkled while she nodded in response . As soon as she heard that , Victoria's hopeful expression faded , and she looked away . Those fragmented memories led her to believe that Alaric had been caring for her the entire time , but it wasn't him . Victoria was lost in thought when the maid brought a bowl of medicine over . " Mrs. Cadogan , it's good that you're awake now . The medicine is still warm . You should drink it now ." The pungent aroma of traditional medicine filled the air , causing Victoria to frown and instinctively avoid it . " Mrs. Cadogan , please drink it while it's still warm . It will be cold in a while , " the maid said , bringing the bowl closer to her . Victoria moved back , turning her head away . " Put it down there first . I'll drink it later ." " You- " " I'm a little hungry . Can you go downstairs and got me something to eat ? Don't worry ; I'll finish the medicine when you return with food . " She had slept for a long time and was really hungry now . The maid thought for a moment before nodding . " Okay , I'll go downstairs and get something for you . Please drink the medicine , Mrs. Cadogan . " " Yeah … " The maid eventually left , and Victoria lifted the covers and climbed out of bed . She carried the dark traditional medicine and walked to the bathroom to pour it down the toilet . As she watched the medicine flush away , leaving no trace behind , she breathed a sigh of relief . Then , she wouldn't have to be cajoled into drinking it . She straightened back up with the empty bowl before turning around , only to see that Alaric had arrived without notice . Leaning against the bathroom door , he stared at her with sharp eyes . " What are you doing ? "