From His Wife to His Uncle's Wife novel Chapter 123

Max lifted his eyebrow, pretending to ask offhandedly, “Did something happen at home?”

Now that everything had settled down, the worry had faded from Eleanor’s face. “My brother was sick, but he’s much better now. I’ll still need to take the occasional day off, but it won’t be as often. I can’t promise never to miss work, but I’ll do my best.”

“What was wrong? Is your brother still in the hospital?”

With Jared recovering, Eleanor could finally talk about it without that heavy feeling in her chest. “Leukemia. He had a bone marrow transplant last Saturday, and it went really well.” She smiled, relief shining in her eyes. “Honestly, I thought there was no hope. Then someone amazing stepped up and donated. I still can’t believe how lucky we were.”

“I’m so grateful to that person.”

Max’s gaze softened, and he smiled just a little. His voice was barely above a whisper. “You deserve every bit of luck.”

“Hm? Mr. Clarkson, what did you say? I didn’t catch that.”

“Nothing. Just… congratulations. I had no idea you were dealing with something so heavy at home. If it’s alright, I’d like to visit your brother after work tomorrow.”

Eleanor’s mouth fell open. She looked like she might actually swallow her own surprise.

“Uh, Mr. Clarkson, that’s really not necessary. You’re so busy. I don’t want to trouble you.”

“It’s not trouble at all. It’s a manager’s job to look after his team, and that includes family. After work, meet me in the underground garage. We’ll go together.” Max’s tone made it clear he wasn’t taking no for an answer.

Eleanor pressed her lips together. With him being so insistent, refusing again would just seem awkward.

“Alright. Thank you, Mr. Clarkson.”

…

Max’s features were already striking, and when he smiled, he seemed almost warm and approachable. But there was still something cool and distant in his eyes—a certain confidence that made it clear he wasn’t someone to mess with. Even her son-in-law Peter, who she bragged about endlessly, didn’t have this kind of presence.

Juliana might not have known much about Eleanor’s company, but she could tell this boss was on a different level.

Jared, meanwhile, was quietly studying the man who’d just walked in. He looked a lot older than Eleanor. It wasn’t that Max looked old—he just carried himself with a calm, powerful energy that made him seem untouchable. To someone as young and straightforward as Jared, that kind of presence just read as “adult.”

“Thank you for visiting me, Mr. Clarkson.”

Eleanor tensed for a second. How old was Max again? Thirty-something? Jared was only seventeen. Calling him “Mr. Clarkson” made him sound ancient.

Juliana didn’t see a problem, though. He was the boss, after all. “Max” seemed way too familiar for someone like him, but “Mr. Clarkson” was just right.

Max’s eyes narrowed slightly, sharp and observant, though his tone stayed gentle. Still, there was something about his voice that made it clear he wasn’t really asking. “Jared, you don’t have to be so formal. I’m not that old. Just call me Max.”