Single Mother of a Werewolf Baby
Chapter 79: A Woman with No Past

Chapter 79: A Woman with No Past

The moment Florence stepped into the restroom and saw five black-clad figures standing in a circle around a fallen woman, her heart skipped a beat. Panic surged through her veins. But then, her eyes scanned the room frantically... and there, standing a few feet away from the group with her arms crossed and an unfazed expression, was Eleanor.

A loud, audible sigh of relief escaped Florence’s lips. It was so dramatic that even normal humans could have heard it echo across the marble walls.

Eleanor raised an eyebrow. Her lips twitched in amusement.

In that brief moment, she found herself genuinely liking the woman.

Before Eleanor could comment, Florence rushed toward her and spoke, her voice drenched in relief. "Thank God you’re alright! I heard glass shattering and thought... something bad had happened to you."

Eleanor gave her a cool, composed nod. "Florence, wait outside. This matter concerns them... it has nothing to do with us."

Although Florence didn’t fully understand what was going on, she nodded obediently and exited the room without protest.

Once the door clicked shut, Eleanor gave a brief series of instructions.

"Ophelia, hand me the spare dress. Elias, lock the restroom door. The rest of you... check her body for any tracking devices."

Isadora stepped forward and said, "Already checked. Aside from her mobile phone, there are no hidden devices or transmitters."

Eleanor gave a small nod. "Sebastian, you know the drill. Remove the body from any public area. Then begin the investigation. She may have had partners in the crowd. I’m going to change."

She accepted the dress from Ophelia and disappeared into the changing room.

Within minutes, she emerged wearing the new gown... sleek, form-fitting, and embroidered with fine gemstones. The ruined one was neatly folded in her arms.

The restroom had already been cleared. Only Ophelia stood waiting.

Eleanor handed her the soiled gown. "Put this in the car. Track the assassin’s trail and identify her associates. Do not kill anyone before extracting information. You’ll be enough to accompany me here. The rest of the team can search for the rest of the assassin group. We can’t afford delay. If they sense something, they’ll scatter."

She paused and added coolly, "Don’t worry. The banquet will end soon."

With that, she walked to the restroom door and pulled it open. Behind her, Ophelia melted silently into the shadows like a ghost vanishing into the night.

As Eleanor stepped out, her gaze landed on James, who was leaning against the wall directly opposite the restroom door. His eyes met hers immediately.

For a fleeting moment, the air between them thickened. Tension lingered... but it broke the moment Eleanor turned her head to the right, where Florence stood waiting.

"Let’s go," Eleanor said, already walking toward the banquet hall.

Florence hurried after her, keeping pace.

James remained stunned. Her eyes... they were still so cold, so detached. The Eleanor he remembered had always looked at him with affection, longing, admiration. This Eleanor didn’t even flinch. Not even a flicker of recognition.

He rushed after her.

"Eleanor!" he called, his voice rising over the ambient music filtering from the banquet.

She stopped and turned with the same indifferent poise. "Yes?"

James stepped closer. "Don’t you remember me?"

Her face was unreadable.

"I’m James," he said hurriedly, voice softening. "James Clifford."

She didn’t blink. "Yes. We met earlier at the hall. Do you have anything else to say?"

James froze, shocked by her complete lack of emotion. "No... not just earlier tonight. We met before that. We... we were lovers, for a long time. Don’t you remember anything at all?"

For the first time, her expression shifted. A radiant, almost mischievous smile lit up her face. It was dazzling... the most radiant smile James had ever seen.

"That’s a new one," she said with a light laugh. "I’ve heard all kinds of pickup lines, but this one’s quite creative. Thank you, but... I don’t believe in reincarnation."

James stood motionless, mouth parted slightly in disbelief. He had so much to say, so many emotions flooding his chest, but not a single word made it past his throat.

Eleanor chuckled lightly. "Alright then, Mr. Reincarnation. If you don’t have anything more to say, we’ll take our leave."

Without waiting for a response, she turned and strolled gracefully back to the banquet hall, Florence following behind like a silent shadow.

Her plan had worked.

She had achieved precisely what she wanted: to disarm and confuse him. To create distance. She had noticed James the moment she entered the banquet, lurking near the edge of the crowd like a predator watching its prey. She knew the Whitmores only wanted her because of her mother’s company. James was impulsive and predictable. All she had to do was wait.

By pretending not to recognize him, she had bought herself some time.

There would be a reckoning. But not now. There were more urgent matters to attend to.

Back in the hallway, James remained frozen for several minutes, unable to digest what had just happened. She looked like Eleanor, sounded like Eleanor... but this woman was a stranger.

A woman with no past.

What had happened to her after she left the house? How had she changed so completely? How had she ended up in the arms of Edward Miller, of all people?

A thousand questions swirled in his head... each one more maddening than the last.

But he had no answers. The only person who could possibly tell him anything... was Edward. And asking him about his mistress was beyond awkward.

His phone vibrated in his pocket, pulling him out of his spiralling thoughts. It was one of his friends from inside the banquet.

He answered the call.

"James, where the hell are you? What took you so long?" came a teasing voice.

James sighed. "Sorry. My stomach’s acting up. I was in the restroom. I think I need to see a doctor. I’ll be leaving now."

A pause, then a chuckle. "Really? Or did you find a chick and ditch us?"

"I wouldn’t lie about this. I’m serious... I feel terrible."

"Alright, alright. Go rest. See you later," the friend said, ending the call.

James exited the venue quietly. He had come in Benjamin’s car, so he called a taxi and headed home... his mind still haunted by Eleanor’s smile and the hollowness in her eyes.

Inside the banquet hall, Eleanor and Florence returned just in time for the keynote speeches by GMITCC leaders. A few awards were handed out by the Chamber, followed by a lavish banquet dinner accompanied by a live opera performance. The event ended without any further interruptions.

There was a networking and dessert session scheduled afterward, but neither Edward nor Eleanor was interested in idle chatter.

As they stepped outside, Edward called his driver to bring the car to the entrance.

While they waited, Grayson finally mustered the courage to speak.

"Chairman Miller," he said, his voice trembling slightly. "I... I need some help with my business."

Edward raised an eyebrow. "Help?"

"I don’t mean money," Grayson clarified quickly. "Just... some work. Even if the profit is low, I..."

Eleanor cut him off. "What’s the name of your company?"

The sudden question stunned him into silence.

Edward turned to him and asked again, "You heard her. What’s your company’s name?"

Snapping out of his daze, Grayson blurted, "Failsworth Construction Materials Limited."

Eleanor pulled out her phone from her clutch and made a call.

"Jack, Failsworth Construction Materials Limited is now under my protection. Help them as soon as possible."

She hung up and turned to Grayson. "Keep your phone on. Someone will contact you shortly."

She paused, her eyes narrowing slightly. "What’s the boy’s name?"

Grayson blinked, confused. "Sorry, I don’t..."

"The boy bothering your daughter," she clarified curtly.

This time, Florence stepped in. "Luke Baxter," she said quickly.

Without missing a beat, Eleanor spoke to the air as if someone unseen was listening. "Ophelia, I want Luke Baxter’s leg tonight."

At that exact moment, Edward’s car arrived at the gate.

Eleanor walked to the car and slid inside, calm as ever. Edward followed close behind.

As the car sped away into the night, the stunned husband and wife remained rooted to the spot, staring at the now-empty driveway in disbelief.