Single Mother of a Werewolf Baby

Chapter 36: The Langford Castle

Langford Castle was a large, old building that had clearly seen better days. Built during the Victorian era by

Alexander Langford, the first Earl of Birmingham from the Langford family, it had once stood as a symbol of

grandeur and influence. Over the years, however, the lack of proper care had allowed tto take its toll, and

the castle had slowly fallen into disrepair. Still, even in its weathered state, anyone who gazed upon it could feel

the lingering power and history it embodied.

The estate spanned more than fifty acres, surrounded by a dense thicket of trees and overgrown patches of land.

The front gate opened directly onto the Middleway, while the rear of the castle bordered the Birmingham Canal.

On either side, the once-secluded castle now pressed against the rising concrete walls of the city’s commercial

district, making it look like a remnant of the past trapped in the heart of modernity.

Within the boundaries of the estate stood several smaller buildings, all showing signs of similar decay. The guard

post at the entrance was empty, and no one seemed to be watching over the gate. A wide concrete road

stretched from the main gate to the castle, flanked by rows of trees and bushes: Fern-leaved Beech, London

Plane, Dove Tree, Rhododendrons, and several others. The road was blanketed in fallen leaves, indicating it

hadn’t been cleaned for days.

The once vibrant life of the Langford estate had faded. Few staff members remained... a handful of stable boys,

gardeners, and aged guards kept the castle barely functional. The grounds that once bustled with activity were

now silent, desolate. Only the wind whispered through the trees, carrying echoes of the past.

Inside, however, the grand hall pulsed with tension. Langford Park... a piece of land owned by the family in the

city center, which was once a gift to the people by the first Earl. For generations, it had served as a public park.

Its popularity had waned over the years as families moved to the suburbs, but it remained a haven for office

workers and pedestrians seeking rest or solitude.

Due to the Langford family’s declining wealth, several local politicians had begun eyeing the estate. They

couldn’t confront the family directly... their legacy of philanthropy still commanded public respect... so instead,

they conspired to weaken them through subtler means: legal obstacles, zoning issues, and media pressure.

One such politician was Councillor Louis Turner. Tall and handswith a scholarly air, he appeared kind and

intelligent at first glance. A former scholarship student and academic achiever, his fall from grace began in

university, where he becentangled with international smugglers. The illicit trade made him wealthy

overnight, and he laundered his gains into real estate investments. When whispers of his sudden fortune grew

too loud, he abandoned smuggling and sought political power.

Since Langford Park wasn’t included in any government development plans and was privately owned, Louis had

been eyeing the land for years. However, due to the Langford family’s high social standing, he couldn't seize the

property by force. The land’s current market value was also far beyond his reach, making a direct purchase

impossible. He had tried partnering with local businessmen, but none were willing to go against the influential

Langford family or risk losing public support.

Eventually, he found an American investor who recognized the land's potential and was eager to build a grand

commercial city. Louis had made several offers to the Langfords, but they remained unmoved. In a desperate

attempt, he brought Brian Morgan, the American businessman, with him today to make one final offer. This time,

he planned to combine a generous price with intimidation.

As a prominent foreign investor, Brian was permitted to bring armed bodyguards into the Kingdom. Louis was

well aware that the Langfords relied on elderly, unarmed guards for security. His true intention was to pressure

them into signing the contract today... by force, if necessary. Louis had already informed the local MP of his plan

and felt emboldened.

After a long discussion filled with polite offers and no fruitful results, Louis becirritated. He decided to go all

out,

"Mr. Langford," Louis began, his voice tight with veiled contempt, "you are the Earl, yes. But do you have the

resources to uphold that title anymore? Look around you... no staff, no funds. Why stubbornly cling to that small

patch of land? It generates no income. I'm offering far above market value out of respect. | could have moved

through other channels."

Walter Langford, the current Earl of Birmingham, listened in silence. His expression remained calm, but his eyes

scanned the faces of his few remaining staff... many looked anxious. What the councilor said wasn’t entirely

untrue, yet Walter couldn’t bring himself to betray his lineage. The park was a gift from his ancestor to the

people; selling it would be a disgrace.

He thought bitterly, "It’s a relief my children and grandchildren are in London. If they saw this, they'd cause a

scene. Since my elder brother's retirement, these new politicians have becbrazen. They forget he was once

the Lord Keeper of the Privy Seal."

Walter stood his ground. "Mr. Councilor, | understand your concern. But my ancestor dedicated that land to the

people. It was Birmingham's first formal park and holds deep historical value. We may be struggling, but we

won't abandon our duty to the public. Your offer is generous, but | must decline."

He emphasized the word park, deliberately reframing the land not as property, but as heritage.

Brian Morgan stepped forward next, his tone smooth and persuasive. "Mr. Langford, | respect your values. On top

of what Louis offered, I'm prepared to add another million pounds to any offshore account of your choice. This is

a goodwill gesture. Think about what you could do with that money... revitalize this estate, fund scholarships,

support charities. There are many ways to help the people."

Again, silence filled the hall.

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Walter finally spoke. "I appreciate

your generosity, Mr. Morgan. But til

| must refuse, The, parks fot mine to

skl) (It Ege to the legacy of this

family, and to the people of

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Louis, who had now spent more than

an hour negotiating, reached the limit

of his patience. Libis mM

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jo You bith is in the hospital

ith no hope of recovery. If

something happens to you, can your

children really defend that land?

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You're alone, Mr. Langford." The

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the latest chapter there!

At this, murmurs rose from the staff. The disrespect was too much. Butler Graham Langford, a distant relative of

the family and one of the few remaining loyal retainers, stepped forward.

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How dare you!" he shouted, his voice

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quivering with rage. You cinto

our castle, threatening our Car? You

thinkwihhiAg'a small election makes

you untouchable? You are a mere

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councilor! If you don't leave now, I'll

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call the police myself!" The content is

on novelenglish.net! Read the latest

chapter there!

Just then, the armed guard stationed at the entrance burst into the hall, rushing over to Brian. He whispered

something urgently into his employer's ear.

Brian's expression darkened.