The Ugly Wife’s Stunning Comeback (Felicia and Max) novel Chapter 1017

That evening, Darin attended a high-society gala hosted by the Lane family, the very same family of Fiona's. Darin currently had ongoing business dealings with their shipping enterprise.

The moment Darin stepped into the grand banquet hall, he instantly drew the attention of countless guests. Dressed in an impeccably tailored charcoal suit, his tall, broad-shouldered frame exuded effortless aristocratic elegance. His strikingly handsome face was completely flawless. Every single unattached woman in the room found it absolutely impossible to tear their eyes away from him.

They had seen plenty of wealthy heirs, but finding a man as wealthy, devastatingly handsome, and fiercely competent as Darin was like finding a needle in a haystack. Especially now. Darin had single-handedly taken on the entire Curtis family and emerged utterly victorious. The sheer magnitude of his success had earned him the deep respect of powerful businessmen and the frantic admiration of countless women.

Spotting him, Mr. Lane hurried forward to greet him with a wide, welcoming smile. "Mr. Foxhall, so glad you could make it."

Darin shook his hand, exchanging pleasantries with a polite, measured smile before offering a respectful nod to Mrs. Lane.

"Daddy."

Fiona gracefully lifted the hem of her gown and approached them. She had clearly spent hours preparing her look for the night. Dressed in a sweeping, violet evening gown and draped in high-end luxury jewelry, she looked radiantly glamorous.

Mr. Lane looked at his daughter proudly. "Come over here and say hello."

Fiona gazed up at Darin, her lips curving into a perfectly practiced, alluring smile. "Hi, Darin."

Fiona had been one of the many women who relentlessly pursued him in the past, only to watch Savannah walk away with the prize.

Darin offered a faint nod, his demeanor entirely aloof and distant. When his eyes swept over her, there was not a single flicker of interest or emotion in them. He looked away almost immediately, not wasting another second of his attention on her.

A crushing wave of defeat washed over Fiona. She had spent the entire day meticulously styling herself just for this moment.

"What is wrong with you?" Fiona snapped harshly. "How can you be so clumsy?"

The waiter continued to apologize, trembling with fear.

Fiona quickly turned to Darin with an apologetic smile. "Darin, I am so incredibly sorry about this. Why don't you head up to a guest suite to freshen up? I'll have someone bring you a clean set of clothes right away."

Darin took a napkin and casually dabbed at the stain. "There's no need." He turned and strode purposefully toward the restrooms.

Fiona stood frozen, staring at his broad, retreating back. When she had seen him at the airport yesterday, her heart had palpitated wildly. Seeing him again tonight, looking so breathtakingly handsome, a single desperate thought consumed her mind. Even if she could never marry him, she would do anything just to have him for one night.

A dangerous, reckless plan began to take root in her mind.