Single Mother of a Werewolf Baby

Chapter 80: Before Midnight

Under the soft neon glow of the city streets, Edward’s luxury car glided smoothly through the quiet roads. Inside, he sat in silence, occasionally casting a glance at the young woman beside him.

The shifting colours of billboards and streetlights outside painted a kaleidoscope across Eleanor’s face, casting fleeting patterns over her flawless skin. For a moment, Edward found her presence almost surreal... calm, beautiful, distant. She looked like a goddess lost in thought, untouchable under the moonlit glamour of the night.

After a long silence, Edward finally voiced the question that had been weighing on his mind.

"Miss Raynor... how did you know about Grayson?"

Eleanor chuckled lightly but didn’t turn to look at him. Her gaze remained fixed on the passing streets outside.

"Mr. Miller," she said in a calm, almost amused tone, "I’m a cautious person. When two complete strangers I’ve never seen before suddenly come up to me and start serving me without hesitation... do you think I’d just sit still and enjoy their attention?"

She paused, then continued, her tone sharpening slightly, "Naturally, I ordered a background check. It didn’t take long to uncover the truth. They came to the banquet specifically for you. Without your help, their company is bound to go bankrupt in a matter of days."

She glanced at him briefly before adding, "I assumed you might have known Grayson from before. They figured that by impressing me, they could get to you. And to be honest, they weren’t wrong. You probably would have helped them eventually."

Edward nodded slowly. That much seemed reasonable.

Eleanor let out a light laugh and added, "But how could I sit back and allow someone who served me to be rewarded by you? That would be a disgrace to my name. That’s why I stepped in."

Edward leaned back in his seat, brow furrowed. "Still," he said cautiously, "you didn’t need to go so far as to teach that boy a lesson. I mean... it might just be a lover’s quarrel. You might’ve made things harder for the family."

Eleanor finally turned her head, meeting his gaze squarely. Her eyes were clear, cold, and unwavering.

"Mr. Miller, you truly know very little about me. I am neither philanthropic nor impulsive. I don’t act without reason."

She continued, voice level, "That Baxter boy proposed to Grayson’s daughter. She rejected him. Now, he’s using his family’s power to pressure Grayson’s company, threatening their livelihood... unless the girl agrees to accompany him for a few days. That isn’t love. That’s coercion. That’s a scumbag."

Edward looked troubled, unsure of how to respond.

Eleanor added calmly, "And yes, you’re right... I didn’t have to go that far. But I chose to. Not for the boy’s sake... but to make an example."

back to the window, her voice dropping

yet. But after tonight, they will fear me like they

frowned. "You’re helping them through such a critical time. They should be grateful to you... not

Eleanor replied smoothly, "you don’t understand me. In the kingdom I rule, the queen doesn’t need love, respect, gratitude, devotion,

her voice steady and chilling. "I demand only three things...

looked away again and added,

fell inside the

say. The woman sitting beside him wasn’t just clever... she was

until they reached Eleanor’s

***

outside the banquet venue, Grayson and Florence stood in stunned silence. The evening had taken such a surreal turn that neither of them

the silence. He fumbled to answer the call, still a little

"Hello?" he said.

with Mr. Grayson Marsh, Chairman of Failsworth Construction Materials Limited?" a calm, professional voice asked from the other

Grayson replied, trying to remain

Please give your name at the front desk when you arrive. If

blinked, stunned. "May

the voice interrupted. "Don’t forget

line went

at

the change in his expression, asked quickly, "What

voice. "That was from Purplebricks... They want me to come in

stunned laugh. "Miss Raynor really did it.

lit up. "Isn’t the CEO

of his daze. "Ethan Raynor. That’s right! Of course, how

excitement. "We’re saved. We’re really

her hands in gratitude, tears brimming in her eyes. "Thank God... Let’s go home and tell

passenger seat, Florence was already