From His Wife to His Uncle's Wife novel Chapter 58

Eleanor stood at the entrance of the courthouse, glancing at her phone every few seconds. She and Linden had agreed to meet outside half an hour before their hearing started.

Linden arrived exactly on time, greeting her with a calm smile. “Ready, Ms. Rolland? Let’s head in. Civil Court’s on the second floor.”

It was obvious Linden knew his way around. He walked with easy confidence, barely glancing at the signs as they made their way through the halls.

As they reached the courtroom, Eleanor spotted Peter and his lawyer already waiting outside. Peter looked tense, his jaw set. His lawyer kept checking his watch.

Eleanor let out a quiet laugh. Honestly, she’d half-expected Peter to back out at the last minute.

Peter had tried to call her so many times in the past few days. She’d ignored every single call. She meant what she said—the next time they spoke would be in court.

Peter hadn’t told his mother anything about this lawsuit. To him, it was just too embarrassing. So Autumn still thought there was hope for reconciliation, clueless that Eleanor was suing Peter.

At the scheduled time, the clerk and judge entered, and everyone filed into the courtroom. The hearing began.

Linden opened with a clear, steady voice. “The plaintiff’s demand is straightforward. We’re not seeking any damages. All we want is for the defendant to immediately stop using the plaintiff’s patented technology in their current company project, and to issue a public statement confirming it.”

Peter’s face looked as if it was carved out of stone.

He couldn’t take his eyes off Eleanor. She was sitting just a few feet away, but somehow, she felt further away than ever—like a stranger he barely recognized.

Peter cleared his throat. “Your Honor, I’d like to say something. The plaintiff developed the patent while working for Horizon Collective. That makes it a work-related invention, so the rights should belong to the company. How can this be considered infringement?”

Linden’s lips curled into a small, confident smile. “Actually, when the patent was developed, the plaintiff was working as a secretary. I have to ask, how does a secretary conduct medical research? The only reason she even had to work on her invention in her own time was because the company unfairly reassigned her. She made a breakthrough anyway. Now the company wants to claim her work after failing to recognize her talent?”

Eleanor spoke up, her voice steady. “Your Honor, I paid for all the research myself. Not a single cent came from company funds.”

Peter didn’t even glance at the judge. His eyes stayed locked on Eleanor. “Fine. I’ll issue the statement. The project won’t use your patent anymore.”

“Is that enough for you, Eleanor?”

Linden raised his hand. “Your Honor, does this count as the defendant admitting fault?”

The judge tapped the gavel again, harder this time. “If you’re admitting fault, make sure you sign the record before you leave.”

The judge left, leaving the clerk behind to finalize the paperwork.

Linden skimmed through his part and signed. “Ms. Rolland, you just need to check your own statement.”