Single Mother of a Werewolf Baby
Chapter 36: The Langford Castle

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 time to 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 handsome with 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 became entangled 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 became irritated. 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. I 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 become brazen. They forget he was once the Lord Keeper of the Privy Seal."

Walter stood his ground. "Mr. Councilor, I 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 I 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, I 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.

Walter finally spoke. "I appreciate your generosity, Mr. Morgan. But still, I must refuse. The park is not mine to sell. It belongs to the legacy of this family, and to the people of Birmingham."

Louis, who had now spent more than an hour negotiating, reached the limit of his patience. His tone turned sharp. "Your brother is in the hospital with no hope of recovery. If something happens to you, can your children really defend that land? You’re alone, Mr. Langford."

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.

"How dare you!" he shouted, his voice quivering with rage. "You come into our castle, threatening our Lord? You think winning a small election makes you untouchable? You are a mere councilor! If you don’t leave now, I’ll call the police myself!"

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.