The Billionaire's Unexpected Proposal by Samantha

Chapter 82

"What are you talking about Evelyn asked, folding her arms as she regarded Maya with a raised brow

Maya cleared her that, suddenly feeling a bit nervous under Evelyn's scrutinizing gaze. "Evelyn," she began, choosing her words carefully, "I mean. Samantha wasn't talking about a child. Rek is an adult." Evelyn blinked, her smile faltering "What do you mean an adul?“.

Maya hestated, casting a quick glance at Samantha, who was nodding vigorously. "He is a grown man."

For a mom

a moment, Evelyn didn't respond. her brain struggling to process the information. She felt a cold shiver race down her spine. "What?" she managed to say, her voice barely above a whisper.

Maya rushed on, sensing the tension building "I'm sorry I didn't tell you earlier, Evelyn. I thought you knew. I mean, I assumed when Samantha talked about Rek, you knew he was an adult. I didn't think he would come across as a child-

Evelyn's face paled visibly, her heart skipping several beats. "You let a stranger spend time with my daughter?" she asked, her voice rising in pitch, her gaze sharp as it focused on Maya. "A man we know nothing about?" She asked as she rose from her seat.

Samantha piped up. "But Mommy, Rek is not a stranger! He's my friend!" She looked from her mother to Maya, confusion clouding her young

Evelyn turned to Samantha, her expression harsh "Hush, Samantha. This is an adult conversation. Go to your room," she ordered as she picked up the remote controller and turned off the television. Samantha's face fell, and she rose from her seat, her steps slow and reluctant as she walked away. Maya waited until Samantha was out of earshot before she spoke again, her voice a touch defensive. "Evelyn, I didn't think

"Exactly, Maya! You didn't think!" Evelyn cut in sharply. "What if he's a kidnapper, a child trafficker or a pedophile targeting Samantha? Did you

Even consider that?"

Maya's o eyes widened, and she shook her head quickly. "No, I didn't think that at all. He seemed like a decent man, Evelyn. He was polite, and he genuinely seemed to care about Samantha's wellbeing" Evelyn let out a shon, disbelieving laugh. "And how do you know that, Maya? Because he seemed decent? You can't judge a person by a few polite words and a smile?

Maya's face flushed, and she looked down. "I'm sorry, Evelyn. 1 really am. I should have told you sooner. I just... I didn't see any harm in it. Mir Stone has been nothing but kind to Samu "Wait What?" She asked, her heart skipping a bear

"I said he's been nothi...."

what?" Evelyn cut

Stone. The owner of Stone Palace Hotel," Maya explained, hoping this would

calming her, Maya noticed

was coming faster, her mind racing as she tried to piece together the implications of what she'd just heard. "Mr. Stone... Rek?" she repeated, as if trying to make the name fit into the chaotic

Her knees felt weak, and she had to grip the back of the chair to steady herself. Rek was Derek. Derek Stone. Her Derek, Samantha's

Evelyn's pallor, stepped forward, concern etched on

it possible that despite all her efforts to keep Sarmantha away from Derek, he had found

need to be alone," Evelyn managed to say, her voice strained and shaky. Without waiting for a response,

the floor, her back against the door. Her breathing was erratic, her chest tight with panic. How had this

out this whole time? All those times Samantha had mentioned Rek, and she had simply assumed it was

the very first day they had arrived and checked into Stone Palace

Chapter 82

That no matter how hard Evelyn tried to escape, Derek would always find his way one way or the other into her life? Into Samantha's

thought of Samantha's innocent smile, her eyes lighting up when she talked about her friend Rek. How was Evelyn

do now?" she whispered to herself, her voice choked with emotion. She pressed a hand to her chest, trying to calm the wild beating

way Samantha would get to spend time with

one!

if he had seen them together or Samantha had told him about her and that was the reason he had approached

apartment and Evelyn took a deep

already." Maya said, holding

said as she glanced at Samantha's

sorry. I really don't know what I was

Samantha, Evelyn said,

the bed and sobbing quietly looked up when her mother walked

me. I like him. I want him to be my friend, she cried as though she could read Evelyn's mind and tell that she wanted to put an end to

Samantha's tears away, "Tell me everything about Rek. How did you meet him? Did he talk to you first? What did he say to you? What have you