Chapter 256


    The two short and sinct words made ric wait for the entire afternoon,


    However, it was already dark when Victoria finally arrived.


    ric sat on the hospital bed, full of resentment. When he saw Victoria sitting down


    in front of him, he asked with a hint of bitterness, “Why did it take you so long to


    Victoria didn’t react much to his words. She merely nced at ric indifferently


    and replied, “Doesn’t traveling back and forth take time? Doesn’t cooking take time?”


    The two questions silenced ric, leaving him speechless.


    When Victoria handed him the food, ric said in a deep voice, “You didn’t have to


    go out of your way to cook for me. Justing here would have been enough.”


    Victoria responded, “Do you think I want to?”


    ric’s expression changed slightly. “Then why did you?”


    However, Victoria didn’t answer his question. She simply stood up to tidy up.


    Although her back was facing him, it seemed as if she had eyes on her back as she


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    Chapter 256 This Is a Trade


    reminded him, “You better eat quickly. It took me a long time.”


    ric silently finished the food she had prepared.


    Thereafter, Victoria came to collect the bowls and calmly said, “I’lle again


    tomorrow.”


    Before ric could say anything, Victoria left directly.


    ric’s expression turned grim.


    Terrance clearly did not expect Victoria toe and go so quickly with such an


    emotionless demeanor as if she were just fulfilling a task.


    ric asked, “Why did she do this? Is it only because of my condition?”


    Terrance fell silent. At that moment, he didn’t understand Victoria’s intentions either.


    For the next few days, Victoria continued with the same pattern. She woulde


    every morning and afternoon to deliver meals. As ric progressed from a liquid to


    a semi–liquid diet, the food she made for him gradually changed.


    It was evident that she put a lot of effort into preparing each dish. However, every


    time she came to the hospital, her attitude was cold and distant as if she were only


    Chapter 256 This Is a Trade


    taking care of ric as a patient in the hospital, and she was just a nurse


    At first, ric had some hope, but after three days, that hope died. It continued like


    this for another day.


    On the fourth day, when Victoria arrived as usual to bring breakfast for ric, he


    didn’t eat much and just sat there with the bowl in his hands.


    Seeing that it was already past breakfast time, he knew Victoria would usually


    remind him to eat, but this time, he decided to ask in advance.


    “Why did youe and bring me food?”


    Victoria looked at the bowl in his hands but didn’t answer.


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    ric, who had been repeatedly met with Victoria’s coldness over the past few days,


    wasn’t as easily appeased today. He sat there with a heavy gaze.


    In fact, he changed his question. “Why do you care about me?”


    The room fell silent. Terrance wanted to slip away, but he was afraid that his


    footsteps would interrupt their conversation, so he stood there pretending to be


    invisible.


    *


    Victoria met ric’s dark gaze. After a while, she calmly replied, “Just eat your food


    first.”


    ric remained still, and so did Victoria.


    There was a sense that they were locked in a stalemate. If he didn’t eat, she might


    note tomorrow or ever again to avoid wasting her time. ric knew her


    temperament all too well.


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    In the end, ric had no choice but to give in first. He remained silent and finished


    the food in three or four bites.


    “Now can we talk?” he asked.


    Victoria stepped forward to collect the bowl and calmly said, “This is a trade.”


    “A trade?” ric’s brow furrowed. “What kind of trade?”


    Now that the topic was out in the open, Victoria had no intention of concealing it


    any longer. After walking up to ric, she said, “You’ve been recovering for these


    past few days, right?”


    ric pursed his lips and remained silent, waiting for her to continue.


    After a long pause, Victoria said, “I want to see my grandmother.”


    ric narrowed his eyes. “So?”


    “So, these past few days I brought you food, which can be considered as indirectly


    helping you recover. In return, you’ll take me to see my grandmother.”


    ric stared at her for a moment beforeughing bitterly.


    No wonder after she cried and came back from the restroom, she seemed like a


    different person. Not only was she willing toe and visit him, but she also


    brought him food. He had thought she had a sudden change of heart, but in reality,


    she had already nned out her own intentions.


    Realizing this, ric suddenly asked, “If it weren’t for your grandmother’s situation,


    would you not have cooked for these past few days?”


    Victoria calmly looked at him. “You’ve eaten the food, and your recovery is almost


    “Heh.” ric let out a coldugh. “In your eyes, what kind of person am I? If you want


    to see your grandmother, do you think I would refuse?”


    Chapter 256 This is a Trade


    Victoria lowered her gaze. “How can I be sure you wouldn’t reject me?”


    She hadn’t been by her grandmother’s side when she passed away, but after all


    these years, she should be able to visit her grandmother’s grave, right?


    ric became agitated. The fact that she had done all these things for him over the


    past few days only to achieve a trade made his chest feel heavy. He had actually


    thought…


    With these thoughts in mind, ric closed his eyes in frustration. No wonder she


    suddenly starteding every morning and evening but didn’t say much to him.


    After pondering for a moment, ric made a decision.


    “Go and arrange for my discharge. I’ll take you there in the afternoon.”


    Hearing this, Victoria remained at the spot.


    Without any response from her, ric raised his eyelids and looked at her with his


    deep and steady eyes. “Don’t tell me you’re not avable in the afternoon.”


    Victoria replied, “Of course, I am. Even if I’m busy, I’ll make time. When and where


    should we meet?”


    ric’s heart grew even colder. She only cared about where they would meet, not


    that today wasn’t the scheduled date for his discharge. If it weren’t for her


    grandmother’s situation, he probably would have died from his illness, and she


    wouldn’t have even spared a nce.


    After understanding everything, ric felt his heart turn to ice.


    “You decide,” he said. Hey back on the hospital bed, looking like he didn’t want to


    speak anymore.


    Victoria wasn’t oblivious to his change in mood, but what of it? She had already


    done enough to help him recently. Besides, he was an adult. If he didn’t value his


    own life, why should others care for him in his ce? She wasn’t someone special


    to him anymore.


    “Okay, after you’re discharged, you’ll return to the hotel, right? I’ll wait for you


    downstairs,” Victoria said, but ric didn’t respond. She knew he was upset, and


    she didn’t want to stay any longer or say more to him. She decisively concluded, “I’ll


    leave now.”


    After she left, Terrance remained in ce, too afraid to speak or even move. He had


    heard their entire conversation, word for word. It was awkward.


    “Why are you still standing there doing nothing?” ric’s voice came across coldly,


    “Go and handle the discharge procedures.”