From His Wife to His Uncle's Wife novel Chapter 171

The next day, Katie turned off her phone and skipped work without a word.

By the time Eleanor got to the office, a formal announcement had already popped up in the company group chat. At ten on the dot, the news was out: Katie had been fired.

Eleanor sucked in a sharp breath. She’d figured it out yesterday. She didn’t have any enemies at work. No one had a reason to come after her, except for one person—Katie, Jessie Goff’s friend, and Max’s niece. Still, Eleanor hadn’t expected Max to go this far. Firing Katie felt like he’d slapped his own niece across the face in front of everyone.

Eleanor stared at her phone, her thumb hovering over the keyboard. She wanted to say something, but stopped herself every time. This was just the company following its rules. She couldn’t afford to get emotional about it.

Jessie Goff, on the other hand, had no idea Katie had been let go. She was focused on other things. Peter Clarkson’s genetics project had restarted, all thanks to the Clarkson Corporation’s help. Peter was riding high on his little victory. See, Eleanor? So what if you took the patent? I can still keep this project going. Life doesn’t stop for anyone. Not for you, not for me. His company would survive. So would his family.

That night at dinner, Peter gave Jessie a diamond necklace right in front of his mom. “Jessie, let me put this on you, okay?”

Autumn’s expression changed instantly. She let out a cold little laugh. “Aren’t you worried Eleanor might come after you for that too?”

Peter’s face tightened. “Mom, can we not ruin dinner with that kind of talk?”

He glanced at Jessie, then back at his mom. “Honestly, if it weren’t for Jessie’s ideas, Grandpa George would never have let me back into the Clarkson family.”

Autumn just clamped her mouth shut. She knew Peter wouldn’t listen to her, no matter what she said.

Olga was over the moon when she heard. “Grandma, please say yes! I want Mommie Jessie to really be my mom!”

Autumn looked furious, but with both Peter and Olga on Jessie’s side, there was nothing left to say. “Fine, do whatever you want. Go get your marriage certificate, but there’s not going to be a wedding. I’m not letting you embarrass the family like that.”

Peter was caught off guard. He honestly hadn’t even thought about a wedding.

Jessie’s smile faded, her face tightening for a moment, but she forced herself to go along. “A simple family dinner is good enough.”

Later that night, back in her room, Jessie was so angry she ripped apart the stuffed animal she’d bought for Olga, tearing it to pieces.