From His Wife to His Uncle's Wife novel Chapter 83

Billy never expected Max to show up.

“Mr. Clarkson,” he said, forcing a laugh. “It’s just a small issue, nothing major. No real harm done. I was just talking things through with my team.”

Billy always tried to own up to his mistakes, but he figured the CEO was there to hold someone accountable. He tried to make the whole thing sound as minor as possible.

Eleanor stared at the floor, too embarrassed to meet Max’s eyes. She knew how much he’d helped her already. Even if this mess wasn’t her fault, he probably thought she was nothing but trouble.

Max’s face turned cold. “Oh? Just a small issue? No real harm?”

He gave a short, humorless laugh. “Billy, you know how seriously this company takes the R&D department. A mistake like this, especially something as basic as smoking, is not a small matter. Are you trying to cover for your people?”

Billy stood up right away, lips pressed together. He could tell Max was genuinely angry now.

Max had that kind of presence. Even just a stern look from him was enough to make people nervous. Now, with that faint, cold smile and eyes sharp as ice, he was downright intimidating.

Eleanor and Robert barely dared to breathe.

But Robert was desperate to keep his job. He had no intention of letting Eleanor take him down with her. He jumped in right away. “Mr. Clarkson, this really has nothing to do with me. The security footage already cleared me.”

He didn’t say more, but the meaning was obvious. If it wasn’t him, then the blame must fall on Eleanor, since she was in charge of the project.

He didn’t need to rub it in. The evidence was clear enough. Still, he wasn’t about to stick his neck out to defend Eleanor either.

Max’s voice was slow and deliberate. “Oh? What footage? Show me.”

Billy quickly handed over his phone.

Robert instantly went pale. “Mr. Clarkson, I swear, I didn’t touch the footage.”

Max cut him off, sounding annoyed. “I never said you did. When something goes wrong, just explain your own actions. There’s no need to add your personal theories. You have managers for a reason. They’ll figure out what happened.”

Billy got the hint right away and waved his hand. “You and Eleanor should get back to work. Mr. Clarkson and I need to talk.”

Eleanor hadn’t said a single word the whole time. As she walked out, she couldn’t help glancing back at Max, lounging in his chair. He turned his head just then and caught her looking, which made her jump and hurry to close the door behind her.

Robert followed her out and gave a small sigh. “I wasn’t trying to blame you, but this really has nothing to do with me.”

Eleanor understood. Everyone just wants to protect themselves when things go wrong. That’s human nature.