The sheer scale of the interests tied to Max was beyond ordinary comprehension. If something truly happened to him, the resulting collapse of order would be an absolute disaster for everyone involved, especially the Hawthorne family, who would suffer an unprecedented, devastating blow.
"The news of Max's disappearance can be contained domestically, as the Hawthornes can step in to maintain stability," Darin explained, his voice steady and reassuring. "The main issue is handling the international fallout, but Jeremy is already on his way."
Listening to Darin's calm logic, Felicia felt her racing heart gradually settle. She sat down on the sofa to eat the breakfast Terry had brought.
"Eat up," Darin urged gently. "You can only face what comes next if you take care of your body."
Felicia nodded and asked, "Have you eaten?"
"Yes, I grabbed some food at the hotel."
Felicia said no more and quietly focused on her meal while Darin picked up the documents on the coffee table to review.
At eight o'clock, the executive meeting commenced. Since Darin owned shares, his presence in the boardroom was entirely justified. The executives present were all high ranking figures within the company. They were familiar with Darin but did not recognize Felicia, so Terry officially introduced her to the room.
Just as the meeting began, Felicia's phone rang. She offered a quick apology to the room, stepped out into the hallway, and answered the call.
"Anne," she greeted softly.
"Mom," Anne's bright voice came through the speaker. "I was downstairs playing with my cousins earlier, so I missed your call."
"It is alright. I just wanted to ask you a quick question. Do you happen to know the password to Dad's computer?"
"Good girl. I have some things to take care of here. Go to bed early tonight, yeah?"
After ending the call, Felicia stood in the hallway for a long moment, forcing herself to calm down before returning to the boardroom. She leaned in toward Terry. "I need to head back to the office for a moment." She then turned to the executives. "Please excuse me."
Offering a brief nod to Darin, she left the meeting room. Once inside Max's office, she sat in his leather chair and typed in the numbers Anne had provided. The password worked perfectly, and she let out a long sigh of relief as the desktop loaded.
The first thing she saw was the wallpaper, a beautiful photograph of Anne. Max loved their daughter so deeply. She was still so young. There was no way he would just leave her behind. A sudden wave of uncontrollable emotion surged up her throat, causing her fingers to stiffen. She fought hard to suppress the tears and force herself to remain calm.
The computer was filled with countless files containing Sterling Capital's most confidential secrets. As she skimmed through them one by one, Felicia found herself genuinely stunned. Even though she had previously touched the core of this industry, the sheer magnitude of the capital Max managed was unfathomable. It was no wonder Gavin wanted to swoop in and take a piece of the pie.
For men like Gavin, and indeed the entire elite echelon of the capitalist world, extreme self interest was the ruling law. In their worldview, profit and power would always eclipse loyalty and sentiment.

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....