Chapter 6 Wiping Body

• Melodramatic?
• Victoria paused and chuckled to herself after a moment. "Of course, I can't match Claudia's thoughtfulness for others."
• The words slipped out before she could even think twice.
• Alaric was stunned, and so was she.
• What am I even saying?
• While she regretted saying the wrong thing, he lifted her chin and looked into her eyes with his deep black ones. Then, he narrowed his eyes, and his gaze was as sharp as a hawk's.
• "Are you jealous of her?"
• Her eyebrows twitched. She felt a bit anxious and wanted to brush his hand away.
• "What nonsense are you talking about?"
• However, she had no strength in her hands, and when she tried to push, her movement felt weak.
• This action made him raise his eyebrows and hold her wrist in amusement. "Are you so weak?"
• "You're weak!" Victoria retorted, then pulled her hand back. Since she used too much force, her body fell backward onto the couch, and she couldn't get up. She was really too weak. Alaric stood there, looking at her with a complicated expression.
• He said, "Wait here," and walked out.
• Victoria had no idea where Alaric had gone. Feeling weak and exhausted, she drifted off to sleep without realizing it.
• In a hazy half-sleep, she vaguely heard Alaric talking with Claudia. Then, she felt a cool cloth pass over her skin, soothing her feverish body.
• Just as she was about to slip back into sleep, a sharp sting on her skin jolted her awake. She opened her eyes and found herself face-to-face with Claudia, whose expression seemed twisted in a brief, almost menacing way.
• Victoria blinked in surprise, but almost instantly, Claudia's face softened back to its usual gentle expression. Smiling apologetically, she asked, "Did I hurt you? I'll be more gentle."
• Looking down, Victoria saw that Claudia was wiping her down with a cool cloth to lower her fever. Meeting Claudia's soft gaze, she wondered if she'd just imagined that fleeting harshness.
• "Thank you," Victoria murmured, her voice hoarse.
• Claudia smiled sweetly and replied in a soft voice, "Actually, after all these years, I should be the one thanking you."
• "Thank me?" Victoria asked.
• Claudia nodded and said, "Yes. Although it may seem like AI married you in a set-up marriage to help you through difficult times, I know that his married status has shielded him from unwanted attention in the past two years. So, I want to say thank you. Otherwise, when I'm back, dealing with all those cheap suitors around him would be a real hassle."
• "Thank you for taking care of Al these past two years. He has a bad temper, so you must have endured some hardships, right?"
• At these words, Victoria was taken aback. She wasn't dumb and could tell what Claudia was trying to say. Claudia started by expressing gratitude but then went on to remind her that her marriage with Alaric was a sham. Claudia cautioned her to keep her expectations low, pointing out that she was not Alaric's wife.
• Victoria pursed her lips and said nothing.
• "Actually, you don't have to worry about Alaric and me. He will always keep your position as his wife because you saved his life. No one can replace that. You also did me a favor, and I won't forget it."
• 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 loves. Don't you know that?"
• "Mr. Cadogan loves her?" The young maid's eyes widened. "Isn't Mr. Cadogan already married?"