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."

turned her gaze back to the window, her voice

tonight, they will

such a critical time.

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

voice steady and chilling. "I demand

again and added,

silence fell inside the

word. There was nothing more to say. The woman sitting

until they reached

***

The evening had taken such a surreal turn

pocket, breaking the silence. He fumbled to answer

"Hello?" he said.

speaking with Mr. Grayson Marsh, Chairman of Failsworth Construction Materials Limited?"

remain composed. "May I

Please give your name at the front desk when you

blinked, stunned. "May I

Marsh," the voice interrupted. "Don’t forget to

the line

at

expression, asked quickly,

"That was from Purplebricks... They want

did it. I... I

"Isn’t the CEO of Purplebricks also a

snapping out of his daze. "Ethan Raynor. That’s right! Of course, how could I forget that? Wife,

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

hands in gratitude, tears brimming in her eyes. "Thank God... Let’s

sped toward home. In the passenger seat, Florence was already on the phone with their children, her voice trembling with joy as she shared the good