From His Wife to His Uncle's Wife novel Chapter 144

Eleanor froze, completely blindsided. She never imagined Max was the one quietly helping her.

“You mean Max was the one who got those bank statements for us?”

“Yeah,” Linden confirmed, giving her shoulder a reassuring pat. “We did great in court today. As long as the judges keep things fair, we should get a decent outcome. He won’t walk away with nothing, but you’ll get more than him. Especially since your daughter’s staying with your ex.”

Eleanor managed a small smile. She’d been ready for the worst, convincing herself she might end up with barely anything. Hearing Linden say that calmed something inside her.

Peter trailed behind them, silent all the way to the courthouse steps. The mood on his side was heavy, while Eleanor’s group looked almost radiant.

Jared had been waiting outside for thirty minutes. The moment he spotted Eleanor, he hurried over. “So, how’d it go? Everything okay?”

She smiled with her eyes. “The verdict isn’t out yet, but the whole thing went really smoothly.”

“Seriously? How long until they announce the result?”

Linden answered gently, “Usually, the decision comes within two months. After that, we’ll see if the other side wants to appeal. If they do, we just prepare for round two.”

“I’m not too worried. We’re in a good spot,” he added.

Eleanor smiled again. “Thanks, Mr. Sidler.”

Eleanor didn’t have a car, so Linden offered them a ride home. She almost turned him down, but honestly, she just wanted to get away from Peter as soon as possible.

Peter watched her leave, feeling emptier than ever.

Autumn couldn’t wait until they got home. She cornered Peter right outside the courthouse. “Peter, did you really give Jessie five hundred million in gifts?”

Sure, Autumn had gotten presents from Peter too, but nothing remotely close to that.

Jessie bit her lip, slipping straight into victim mode. “Mom, don’t listen to Eleanor. She’s trying to make Peter look bad. None of it’s true.”

“If it’s all lies, why didn’t you stand up for yourselves in court?” Autumn shot back.

Deep down, she already knew the answer, especially when she caught sight of the flashy necklace around Jessie’s neck. It was clearly worth a fortune.

The realization chilled her. Peter cared about this woman more than he cared about his own mother. Autumn started to doubt everything about Jessie. Was she cursed? She’d already brought down Grady. Was Peter next?

The thought made her anxious. She grabbed Peter’s arm, dragging him away. “Peter, we’re going home.”

“And Jessie, maybe you should go back to your own place tonight.”

That last bit stung more than anything.

Peter let himself get pushed into the car, moving like a puppet, still haunted by how badly things went in court.

In the car, Autumn kept ranting. “Peter, these women are all the same. They just want to bleed you dry. Eleanor, Jessie, both of them! You need to wake up.”

“If we lose the first trial, we’ll appeal. There’s no way I’m letting Eleanor take half of what’s yours. I won’t allow it.”

Jessie stood in front of him, head down. “Dad, that woman was just making things up about me.”

Otto slapped his leg in frustration. “Enough, Jessie! When did you start talking like this, calling people names? Where’s your Goff family manners? What about all the things your mother taught you?”

Jessie pouted, swallowing his scolding. Otto was strict with his sons but had always spoiled her. Maybe too much. Now he wondered if he’d made a mistake, letting her become someone’s mistress.

He’d gotten a copy of the court evidence right after the hearing. He still couldn’t believe the woman in those photos was his own daughter.

“That man is your husband’s brother!”

“So what? Dad, he came after me first. If anyone’s to blame, it’s him. Why are you yelling at me?”

Otto’s hand flew up, but he stopped just short of her face. He couldn’t bring himself to hit her.

Jessie saw his hesitation and felt humiliated.

“Go ahead. Hit me, Dad. Do it!”

Otto turned away. “That’s enough. Go upstairs and think about what you’ve done. And from now on, stay away from them.”

Jessie ran upstairs, crying. Adam walked in just in time to see his sister’s tear-streaked face and frowned. “What happened?”

Otto rubbed his forehead. “Go ask your sister what kind of mess she’s gotten herself into now.”