By the time the meetings concluded at noon, Felicia still had not finished reviewing the files on the computer. She had been staring at the bright screen without a single break, leaving her eyes burning and strained.
Meanwhile, representatives from the bank had already arrived at Sterling Capital to verify the situation, followed by executives from other major corporations.
Throughout the day, countless calls flooded the company switchboard. Everyone who had been unaware of Max's disappearance the day before now knew the truth, casting a heavy, suffocating atmosphere over the entire office. Darin and Terry handled the influx of visitors. Thanks to Darin's formidable reputation, the guests showed a degree of respect. They offered polite, superficial remarks, claiming they believed Mr. Hawthorne would be fine and promising to reach out again in a few days.
It was not until three o'clock in the afternoon that they finally saw off the last of the visitors. Darin finally had a moment to breathe. He picked up some prepared food and returned to the office, just in time to see Felicia hanging up another call, leaning back in her chair and rubbing her temples.
"Felicia," he called out gently.
Felicia opened her eyes. "Are they all gone?"
She had received word that many powerful figures had visited the office. Several of Max's most crucial clients had also called directly to demand answers. These individuals had entrusted Max with tens of billions of dollars in capital, making them more desperate than anyone to uncover his true status. Their trust lay entirely in Max himself, not the firm. Dealing with these shrewd, relentless billionaires was exhausting. She had only managed to fend them off temporarily, but the sheer mental toll left her feeling more drained than she had ever been in her life.
Max had always handled these astronomical transactions and monumental pressures with effortless grace. Only now did she truly realize how terrifyingly immense his influence in the business world was. It was a level of power ordinary people could not even begin to fathom.
"Yes, they are gone," Darin replied, placing the takeout bags on the desk. He noted her extreme fatigue. "Did those clients call you directly?"
Darin's lips curved upward slightly. "You go ahead. I will grab some food later."
Felicia did not argue. She carried the food to the sofa while Darin sat down at the desk, resting his hand on the mouse to navigate the confidential files. This was his first time accessing the core secrets of Max's empire. Even though they had cooperated deeply in the past, they always kept their ultimate trump cards hidden from one another. Now, however, there was no room for caution.
Felicia sat on the sofa and managed to eat only a few bites before Darin's phone rang. It was Daniel.
Felicia turned her head to watch him. Darin smoothly explained a portion of the situation to Daniel, though Felicia could tell he was deliberately holding back crucial details. She knew that Max and Daniel had not always enjoyed the harmonious relationship they shared now. Max's methods were notoriously ruthless, and it was only after Anne was born that the tensions within the Hawthorne family gradually softened. With Max missing, Daniel would undoubtedly set his sights on BlueMarble Investments to protect the family's assets.

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....