Single Mother of a Werewolf Baby novel Chapter 281

Chapter 281: Preparing for the Debate

Baroness Angela Dodson could not help asking, "Do you know who the Boss is? If it’s inconvenient, forget I asked." Though curious about the mysterious figure behind the scenes, she knew her limits.

Baron Anthony Hayward Chapman only sighed at the question. He lowered his voice to match Angela’s. "I don’t know. I’ve tried to investigate... but I reached no conclusion. At first I thought it might be someone from the Langford family. Yet on our last visit to Langford Estate I noticed Earl Langford speaking with an odd deference to some of the Boss’s subordinates. That confirmed to me they, too, are under command."

He paused, then added, "Look at the people sent to us... all powerful, and obedient to every instruction they receive. They behave almost like fanatics. I concluded long ago that the Boss must be stronger than them to command such loyalty. And after hearing your estimate of the election expenses, I’m certain he is wealthy, too. It’s better we don’t pry. We do our job... and everyone will be happy in the end."

Angela nodded. "True. Let’s focus on our work, then. You have the televised debate coming up. How is your preparation?"

Anthony exhaled. "There’s a lot to remember... I’m trying."

"The debates are a paradox," Angela said. "They are the most artificial form of politics, yet they reveal the most fundamental truths about a person. The public doesn’t merely listen to your policies; they watch your eyes. They don’t only hear your answers; they feel your patience, or your temper."

Before Anthony could reply, a knock at the door announced the arrival of his preparation team. His secretary, Kevin Blanc, entered with his habitual worried expression, arms full of binders and a tablet glowing with data. He was followed by Baron Constantine’s secretary, Robin, who had been assisting Kevin for the campaign.

"All the documents are ready, sir," Kevin said, placing the material on the table in front of Anthony. "You need one last run-through."

"We’ve shortlisted the attack lines, the vulnerabilities, the precise pressure points of your opponents. Shall we begin?" Robin added with a practised smile.

Angela gestured for them to begin. "Let’s start with the foundation. Kevin, the manifesto."

Kevin opened the primary binder, his fingers tracing the lines of text. "Right. The core pillars. First, the Economic Renewal Plan... built around the National Skills Fund and the Infrastructure Corps. The key message is long-termism versus their short-term fixes. Second, the NHS and Social Care Compact. You’ll focus on the Family Doctor Guarantee and the integration of social care into the health budget. The key word here is security... security in your health, security in your old age. Third, the Green Industrial Strategy. Highlight your wave energy programme and home insulation scheme. The key concept is opportunity... new jobs, new industries."

"They’ll say you can’t afford it," Robin added without looking up from his folder. "The Prime Minister will look straight into the camera, put on his father of the nation act, and say, ’Baron Chapman’s fantasy budget would bankrupt the country for a generation.’ You mustn’t get dragged into a numbers duel. The public don’t care about figures; they care about values."

He paused, then said, "So, you respond: Bankrupting the country is what you’ve already done with your failure to invest. The cost-of-living crisis is your legacy. My plan is an investment... to save people money and to create the wealth that funds our public services."

Robin straightened, his expression serious. "Please remember these lines: ’I understand families are worried about the bills today. But this is about their bills tomorrow, and their children’s opportunities next year. Kicking the can down the road is what got us here. It’s time to fix the road.’"

"Keep a smile when you say it," Angela added smoothly. "You need to show you’re not threatened by criticism. Absorb it... use it to show the scope of your vision."

For the next two hours, they worked through every possible question and attack. Kevin clarified each policy with calm precision, Robin drilled Anthony on rebuttals and tone, and Angela refined his delivery with the polish of her long experience in the political arena.

They moved seamlessly from the economy to education, from foreign policy to housing. Question after question came, and Anthony fielded them all... sometimes serious, sometimes wry, but always measured.

She took a step closer and added, her tone deliberate, "Remember this — we’re going to win this election, no matter what. Our job isn’t just to hold our ground; it’s to expand it. The constituencies already in our camp are safe. What we need are the neutrals — and even a few of theirs. To get them, they need to see you — not just hear your policies."

She paused, then added, "Everybody is selfish in their own way. They’ll vote for whoever promises to benefit them. They don’t care about the kingdom, or even the constituency. At best, they care about their council and their local patch. We don’t fit into their priorities. The only way we can reach them is by showing our intention to change their lives. So, stick to the plan. Spread our policies. There’s no shortcut."

Her tone hardened. "As for the scandals... we’ll release them right before the election. If we do it early, they’ll have time to clear their names and counterattack. We need to catch them off guard."

Kevin spoke up cautiously, "Sir, please don’t worry too much about the schedule. Just go with the flow. I must remind you that the Boss has appointed the best political experts for this campaign. We must follow their instructions. If there’s even the slightest deviation on your part, as your secretary, I’ll be the one punished."

A brief silence fell over the room after Kevin’s words. Then they all quietly returned to work.

They continued for another hour, but the tone had shifted. They stopped drilling rehearsed lines and began talking about the people behind the policies — the young couple who couldn’t afford a home, the small business owner struggling with energy bills, the family anxious about their ageing mother.

When Kevin and Robin finally gathered their papers to leave, Angela placed a gentle hand on Anthony’s arm. "You have everything you need to defend yourself. Kevin and Robin have given you the finest preparation any candidate could hope for. Now, you must forget the blueprints and simply be the man who lives within them. Let them see the ordinary man from Bethnal Green who hasn’t sunk into the political mud — not the Baron. Let them see the man who will lead the common people of this kingdom. The rest... the rest is just noise."

After that, they called it a day and left the party office. Fortunately, they slipped out through a hidden side door, allowing Anthony to avoid the cluster of journalists waiting outside.