Listening to Luke's steady voice, Willa's guilt only intensifies. Is she truly this helpless? She has no idea what to do, terrified that any action she takes will only cause them more trouble.
"I'm so sorry, Luke," she whispers, her voice trembling.
Luke speaks with earnest reassurance. "Willa, please don't blame yourself. No one is holding this against you, so you need to let it go."
His strong, comforting tone wraps around her like a warm blanket, causing a flutter in her chest. Her eyes prickle with tears. Afraid she might break down if she speaks, she simply hums in agreement.
"Stay where you are, spend time with Anne, and patiently wait for Felicia to return," Luke advises gently.
Willa grips her phone tightly, forcing her emotions under control. "Okay."
"Good. Get some rest tonight and try not to think about this."
"I will. You take care of yourself too."
After ending the call, Willa clears the unsaved number from her screen, feeling a fraction of peace return to her heart.
Over the next three days, an unprecedented upheaval sweeps through the Manning family. Jeffrey implements aggressive policies designed to dismantle the deep-rooted influence of the branch families. The loyalists he has cultivated over the years quickly step up to replace the old guard, ensuring the transition of power remains entirely under his control. Naturally, this purge threatens not only the branch families but also their allied corporate partners. Desperate to counter him, these external factions scramble to form an alliance and pressure Jeffrey into backing down.
Caleb Manning tries repeatedly to contact Max but fails. Left with no other option, he reaches out to Isaac.
Isaac enters Max's office to deliver a stack of documents. Max has shown zero reaction to Jeffrey's aggressive maneuvers, continuing business as usual as if entirely unaffected. After running through the scheduled reports, Isaac mentions the call. "Mr. Caleb Manning just contacted me. He hopes to invite you to dinner tonight."

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Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: The Ugly Wife’s Stunning Comeback (Felicia and Max)
Take her back? Want to see her?? Donno about Felicia but I think I’m falling for this Max somehow🫠🙈pls update daily...
I knew it! Hopefully Felicia's health will improve and will want to have the baby. Oh how I despise Max's family....
Please post *I forgot I ever loved you*...
Is this coming to an end...
Oh nooo!! Don’t tell me Max will get washed ashore on a remote island then loses all his memory, then falls inlove with the local girl who saves him. Then when he meets Felicia again he won’t recognize her and breaks her heart again. Additional plot twist is that Felicia is pregnant with their 2nd child. Please pleaseee don’t give us this scenario.. LOL!!!...
If Max can be forgiven Darrin can be forgiven. And I do not like this marriage business but if it has to happen I hope after he gets stranded on some remote island alone while Felicia and his family fight over custody she wins and also gets half his estate. Then by time he comes back she's found having and remarried. Lol...
The writer is good. They're making me interested in Max. I won't say like yet....
It seems the only one who hasn't suffered is Max. Even his family fakes anger and disappointment all their own doing so they suffer a little. Everyone else has suffered. Luke and Jeremy unrequited. Felicia has suffered the most from family to unrequited to romance to long suffering Mother. Even baby Anne never had a mother til Felicia suffered then came back only to suffer some more. lol...
Oh no what did Colton do?... I have a bone to pick. When Olisha had to go the hospital why beg for Felicia? When she so loved Max? Seemed like she was in on the setup for Felicia to see a suicide for the 2nd time orchestrated by holden and his brother again. I might drop this series it's becoming endless with no real satisfaction for me. I don't need it to end because it's like a soap opera but if things don't end up making sense, tying up loose storylines it's gonna get old fast for me. Good luck author....
Anne, I think your baby brother is on the way. Thank goodness it doesn't say that Felicia is crying just like the last time but still, there's no willingness on her part. Max! You need to try harder. Make her fall in love with you again....