The Billionaire’s Unexpected Proposal (Evelyn and Derek)

As Sandra sat in the back of the cab on her way to Michael's place, she rested her head against the cool window as her thoughts flitted back to the time she'd spent shopping with Derek's mother and how seamlessly she was fitting into the family.

Thinking about what Derek's mom had said about her parents being present at the birthday party and about it being a significant night, Sandra raised her hand to look at her finger, and she smiled as she imagined a diamond ring on it.

Thinking about Derek proposing to her on that night, she decided that even though Derek's mother had asked her to make the party an intimate affair, it wouldn't be a bad idea for the party to be covered and put on the front page of the magazine- that way news of her engagement to Derek would be made public faster.

She sighed dreamily at the thought of finally being Mrs. Stone.

Nothing and nobody could stop her now- not Evelyn, and definitely not Michael. She was going to take care of them.

Evelyn was always going to be a threat to her as long as Evelyn knew about her and Michael's affair. She couldn't have that.

After what Michael tried to do, she knew that he, too, was a threat.

He would always want to hold something over her, and she couldn't have anyone blackmailing her.

She might have failed the last time with the drugging incident, but she wouldn't fail again. She couldn't afford to. That was why she was planning something even bigger and better now for those two. A permanent way to get rid of them. She was going to use one stone to kill two birds.

Not wanting to dwell on that, she took her phone out of her purse and dialed Derek's number with a smile. The phone rang twice before Derek picked up.

Away from there, Derek was seated in the dining with Evelyn and Samantha, having dinner as Samantha told them all about school.

Derek's phone vibrated on the table, and he glanced at the screen.

"It's Sandra," he muttered under his breath, trying not to show his irritation.

"Shouldn't she be on her way to Michael's or with him already? You should answer it," Evelyn said, her voice gentle but firm.

Derek hesitated, his eyes darting to Samantha, who was happily nibbling on her pasta, unaware of the tension.

Evelyn chuckled at his reluctance, knowing why he didn't want to take it in front of her. "Go on. I don't mind," she said, waving him off with a smile. "Just don't take too long."

With a sigh, Derek got up from the table, shaking his head as he glanced at Samantha again. Evelyn laughed softly, amused by his internal struggle, as he excused himself from the table and walked into the hallway for some privacy.

He answered the call. "Hello, Sandra."

Sandra's pout was almost audible through the phone. "I always have to be the one calling you, Derek. Do you ever miss me?"

Derek rubbed his forehead, his patience thinning. "We've been over this several times, Sandra. You know I'm busy. Are you sure you want to be with someone who's always tied up with work? You might end up lonely. Maybe it's best we end things if you can't cope." There was a brief silence before Sandra quickly reassured him, her voice suddenly soft and eager. "I don't mind as long as you come back home to me every night. That's all that matters."

Derek leaned against the wall, staring at the ceiling. "If that's enough for you.." he said, trailing off. He could already feel the strings of Sandra's ambitions pulling at the edges of their nonexistent relationship.

Sandra, however, was undeterred. "So, I went shopping with your mother today," she said brightly, wanting to change the subject. "It was so much fun! We picked out a few things for you, too."

Derek raised an eyebrow. "That's nice. I'm glad to hear you're getting along with her. She's important to me."

Sandra giggled, clearly trying to steer the conversation in her favor.

"Oh, and she told me her birthday is in three weeks. Guess who's planning it?"

Derek chuckled, already seeing through her subtle attempts. "Let me guess- you?"

"Mmm-hmm!" Sandra's voice was light and playful. "She said it's going to be a significant night, and my family was invited. I want it to be special, Derek. So, I was thinking... Maybe I could invite a couple of reporters and have my magazine cover the event. You know, make it glamorous! What do you think?"

Derek smiled slightly. He knew exactly what she was fishing for. "If that's what you want, Sandra, go ahead. I don't mind."

Sandra was practically glowing through the phone now. "You don't mind? Really?"

Derek laughed softly. "Sure, I've got a big announcement to make that night, so it's probably to have them there."

There was a gasp on the other end of the line. "A big announcement? What is it?" she asked eagerly.

He shook his head, amusement coloring his voice. "Now, Sandra, if I told you, it wouldn't be a surprise, would it? Don't ruin the surprise by asking too many questions."

She let out a breathless giggle, delighted that she was right, and he planned to propose. "Well, I'll have to make sure I wear something spectacular then. You'll love it, I promise."

Derek sighed, already tired of the charade. "I'm sure you'll look great. Now, I really have to get back to work."

"Alright, alright," Sandra said, still giddy. "I'll let you go. Just don't forget our plans for this weekend, okay? You have to pick me up."

"Sure. I haven't forgotten," Derek replied, and with that, he ended the call.

He turned around to head back to the dining room but stopped in his tracks when he saw Evelyn standing in the doorway, leaning against the frame with her arms crossed and a curious smile on her face.

"So," she said, raising an eyebrow. "What was that about?"

Derek chuckled, rubbing the back of his neck. "She seems to think I'm going to propose to her at my mother's birthday party. She's already planning to have reporters cover the whole thing. She's in for a surprise, just not the one she's expecting." Evelyn shook her head, her smile fading. "I don't think that is a good idea, Derek. It will be a public disgrace not only for her but for our parents."

Derek shrugged. "It's her idea. If she wants to expose herself to the world, that's on her. Besides, your parents did nothing wrong to feel embarrassed," he said, and she sighed.Ccontent © exclusive by Nô/vel(D)ra/ma.Org.

"Come on. Let's get back to Samantha," he said softly, touching her arm and she followed him even though there was a flicker of worry in her eyes.

Away from there, as Sandra got out

of the cab outside Michaels house, she took a deep breath, reminding herself that she had to stay in

control. Michael was just a means to an end. This would all be over soon, and she'd finally have everything she wanted-Derek, his family's wealth, and the respect she craved.

She could feel the tension rising as she walked up to the door and rang the bell. Glancing around, she hoped no one was watching.

The door opened, and there he was, standing in the doorway with a glass of wine in hand, a smirk playing on his lips.

"Well, well, I was beginning to think you wouldn't show up," Michael said, stepping aside to let her in.

Sandra walked past him into the living room, her heels clicking softly against the floor. "Why wouldn't I? We've already resolved our differences." Her voice was calm, but she couldn't help glancing around the room, half-expecting some hidden camera to pop out.

Michael's eyes followed her gaze, and he chuckled. "Looking for something?" he asked, taking a sip of his wine.

Sandra turned to face him, her lips curving into a half-smile. "Just making sure you didn't set up any secret cameras," she said, her tone light but with a hint of caution.

Michael raised his glass in a mock toast. "I have no reason to do that, Sandy. You don't need to worry."

She shrugged, dismissing the thought, but there was always a small part of her that couldn't fully trust him anymore. "Good," she said, walking over to the sofa and sitting down.

"Would you like a drink?" Michael asked, and she eyed the bottle but shook her head.

"Thanks. But I'm not in the mood for one tonight."

Michael sat down across from her, his expression playful but with an underlying intensity. "Fine," he said as he set down his glass.

Sandra leaned forward in her seat, "So, I have a suggestion..."

"Let's talk after... I didn't invite you to talk."

Sandra knew precisely what he meant, and although she hated every moment of it, she forced herself to smile. "Alright," she murmured, standing up slowly and walking toward the room. There was no point in resisting. She still needed him on her side-for now.

As Michael tried to catch his breath after he was done having sex with her, she walked away to the bathroom to clean up, feeling irritated by the act.

As she returned to join him, Michael glanced at her. "You weren't as... responsive tonight, he said, his voice low and disapproving.

Sandra sighed, "I have a lot on my mind," she admitted as she sat down, then turned to face him. "Why don't you go and freshen up so we can talk?"

Michael raised an eyebrow. "Whatever you have to say must be pretty important to you," he said and when she nodded he rose and walked into the bathroom to freshen up.

As he walked away, Sandra picked up his phone to confirm that he wasn't recording their conversation. Evelyn had taught her a valuable lesson, and she couldn't take chances anymore.

She returned to the living room with both their phones and sat there as she waited for him to join her again.

"So, what's on your mind?" Michael asked as he joined her a moment later.

Sandra crossed her arms, her expression serious. "I think we should get rid of Evelyn."

Michael paused for a moment, and then he sighed in exasperation. "Sandra, we've been over this. You said you didn't want to deal with Evelyn anymore. Why are you still stuck on her?" Sandra's eyes narrowed as she leaned closer to him. "Because as long as she knows about our affair, she's a threat to both of us.

Don't you see that?"

Michael shook his head, looking tired. "She's not going to do anything. She hasn't even said or done anything since the hotel incident. She is keeping her distance, and you should, too. Stop being paranoid."

Sandra clenched her jaw, her voice

turning cold. "No, Michael. I'm not being paranoid. I'm being practical. The fact that she hasn't even said or done anything despite all she knows is what worries me most. What if she is waiting for the perfect moment to do that? Evelyn could ruin everything. We can't afford to let her walk around knowing what she knows."

Michael stared at her, his expression shifting from confusion to shock as he realized what she was suggesting. "You're talking about killing her," he said, his voice low. Sandra didn't flinch. "Yes, I am."

Michael's eyes widened, and he leaned back, shaking his head.

"Sandra, that's... that's insane. Why would you go that far?"

She gave him a stern look. "Because

I'm tired of Evelyn. I want her gone, permanently. I don't want her

stealing my parents from me or anything. And by doing this, we both have something on our hands Neither of us can betray the other without going down with them."

Michael stared at her for a long moment, trying to process what she was saying. He had always known Sandra was ambitious, but this... this was another level. "I'll... think about it," he said finally, not knowing what else to say. Sandra's gaze was unrelenting. "Don't take too long. I want it done before your aunt's birthday when Derek proposes to me. I can't have Evelyn hovering over us like a dark cloud."

"Derek told you already that he's going to propose?" Michael asked, and she smiled.

"Both he and his mother hinted at it. Why else would they want my parents to be at the party?" she said, and Michael nodded.

"That's good," Michael said, and Sandra smiled.

"Good? It's more than good. It is wonderful. Amazing. We are almost at our destination. All that is left now is to take out the obstacle on our path," Sandra said, but Michael didn't respond. He just stared at her, with uncertainty clouding his mind. As much as he agreed with her that they would get rid of Evelyn if she would ruin their plans, he wasn't sure what Sandra was thinking. He wasn't certain yet if he could still trust her.