From His Wife to His Uncle's Wife novel Chapter 60

Eleanor found herself back at the cozy private restaurant tucked inside the old courtyard house.

Once again, she walked past the pond dotted with lotus leaves. She paused, smiled quietly, and made two wishes in her heart. One, that she would win the patent case against Peter. Two, that their divorce would go through without any more drama.

Once she was divorced, she wouldn’t have to deal with his family anymore. No more tense run-ins with his sharp-tongued mother, no more having to watch Peter and Jessie sharing those lovesick looks, and no more hearing her daughter beg her not to be her mother. She was ready to let them all have what they wanted.

Max noticed her staring at the water. “What are you thinking about? Making another wish?”

Eleanor shook her head. “No, nothing like that.”

She picked up her pace, falling in step with him as they headed to their private room.

Linden was already inside, looking curious. “What were you two talking about just now? Something about wishes?”

“Nothing important,” Max said, brushing him off. “Let’s order. You’re our guest, you go first.”

Linden blinked, a little thrown. He was the guest? So Max saw himself as the host now? His distant cousin and Eleanor weren’t even divorced yet.

Eleanor didn’t catch the sarcasm. She smiled at Linden, completely sincere. “Mr. Sidler, please, you order first. Today went well because of you.”

Max looked over, pretending to be casual. “Mind if I ask what kind of case you had today?”

Linden let out a short, dismissive laugh, almost wanting to spill the truth, but the look Max shot him made him think better of it. He shut his mouth.

Eleanor gave a little smile. “Just a small patent dispute, nothing serious.”

She made it sound easy, but the tension that had been shadowing her eyes had completely disappeared.

Max’s gaze lingered on her lips and the gentle curve of her smile. Something about it made his chest feel warm.

He swallowed, his voice a bit rough. “That’s really great. Congratulations.”

Eleanor glanced at him, her smile softening. “Thank you.”

Linden rolled his eyes. Watching Max practically burn a hole through Eleanor with his stare, he coughed to break the moment. “Max, is your grandpa having a big birthday celebration this year?”

Max shot him an annoyed look for interrupting. “Depends if he wants one.”

Max’s mood noticeably lifted. He smiled, looking pleased. “Yeah, we’re heading out. No need to see us off.”

Linden watched them leave, speechless. This was the first time he’d seen just how shameless Max could be. When he wanted something, he didn’t care what anyone else thought.

***

Elsewhere, Peter was drowning his sorrows, knocking back drink after drink.

None of his old friends dared to say a word. The dark look on his face was enough to keep them quiet.

“Peter, maybe slow down a bit,” one of them finally ventured.

Peter shot him a cold look, and the guy instantly went silent.

Jessie arrived, having rushed over as soon as she heard the news. The first thing she saw when she walked in was Peter, slumped over and reeking of alcohol.

She dropped down beside him and gently took the glass from his hand. “Peter, that’s enough. Stop drinking.”