From His Wife to His Uncle's Wife novel Chapter 42

Was that the same man she had stumbled into during the gala? The one sneaking around for a secret fling?

But this voice... it sounded nothing like the one she’d heard that night.

It had only been two days. That night, Eleanor’s nerves had been stretched thin. There was just no way she could have mistaken his voice.

“Mia, was that really Mr. Clarkson’s older brother?”

“Yeah, that’s him. Mr. Clarkson is a little more approachable than the CEO, but he’s still pretty strict. He doesn’t actually manage the R&D department, though. That’s all under the CEO.”

Eleanor got it. That meant Max was the top boss for their department.

Honestly, she liked it better this way. Too many people meddling in R&D would just make it impossible to get anything done.

But then… if the man from that night wasn’t Max’s brother, did that mean Max had lied to her?

Just thinking about how close they’d been that night made Eleanor’s cheeks heat up.

Mia glanced at her, looking curious. “Are you okay? Is it really hot in here?”

Eleanor snapped out of it and shook her head quickly. “No, I’m fine.”

***

Before she started the job, Eleanor had been anxious. But once she got there, she realized most people in R&D were pretty quiet. There was no small talk, no pointless socializing. Everyone just focused on their work.

On her very first day, she was handed a set of data to check.

Most new hires would have found it stressful, but Eleanor took it in stride and finished the task before her shift ended. She sent the results to her director’s email right away.

Billy, her director, was surprised. He’d thought it would take her at least a few days, but she’d knocked it out in half a day.

Around here, respect was earned through skill. As people were getting ready to leave, Billy asked, “Where do you live, Eleanor? Want a ride?”

Eleanor turned him down politely. Billy seemed fine with that. He just rolled up his window and drove off.

He’d hated the family’s illegitimate branch, especially Peter’s grandfather, all his life.

Jessie’s voice suddenly wavered. “Katie, do you think I’m a homewrecker, too?”

Katie hesitated, thrown by the tears in her friend’s voice.

“I know I’m a widow now,” Jessie went on, her voice shaking. “My husband’s gone, and everyone seems to want to step on me while I’m down. But I swear, I’m not a homewrecker. I get why other people doubt me, even spread rumors, but you know how much I loved Grady, right?”

“Tomorrow’s his seventh day memorial. I just… I can’t take this.”

“Don’t cry. I don’t think that way,” Katie said at last, softening.

“Don’t be sad. I really do have to go home tonight, but let’s do lunch tomorrow, okay?”

Jessie sniffled. “Okay. Katie, I can’t lose you. You’re my best friend. Please, believe me.”

Katie managed a small smile. “I believe you.”