The Billionaire's Unexpected Proposal by Samantha

Chapter 93

Derek paced around his suite, his mind racing with thoughts of Evelyn, his mother's stubbornness, and Michael's underhanded tactics

Remembering that he had yet to call Evelyn to find out where she was and apologize for what happened, Derek picked up his phone and dialed Evelyn's number.

The line rang twice before she picked up Derek, her voice came through, soft but tinged with concern.

"Eve, Derek paused, running a hand through his hair. "Are you alright! Where are you now? I'm very sorry for what happened earlier."

There was a brief silence on the other end, and then Evelyn let out a deep sigh. Tm fine. I don't think you're in a position to worry about me right now. Are you okay! I feel like all I've done is cause trouble between you and your Mom. I should never have-

"Don't apologize," Derek cut in his tone gentle but firm. "You didn't do anything wrong. It was only a matter of time before I had that talk with her."

wanted to

"I don't know maybe I acted rashly, Evelyn said, the guile evident in her voice. "Maybe I shouldn't have taken Sandra's call. I just stand up for myself, but now it's going to complicate everything. How are you going to find out anything from her now?" She asked, her voice more composed now.

Derek smiled faintly, though it didn't quite reach his eyes. I'm glad you took the call. I loved hearing you talk to her that way. And if anything, we both know that Sandra will most likely be more interested in me now. She'll want me even more, thinking there's competition. Don't worry about

Evelyn sighed, and then Evelyn's voice returned softer, more vulnerable. "I just didn't want to make things harder for you"

"Trust me when I say it's alright, Eve, Derek said, his voice lowering as his thoughts shifted back to their earlier conversation. "I meant everything i uid earlier. I hope you won't pull back again. I've got you" There was a pause, and then Evelyn spoke again with a hint of relief in her breath. "Sandra was in my office earlier.

"What? She was where? What did she say? I ho

I hope she didn't cause any trouble for you!" He asked, totally surprised.

"Don't worry. I handled it Evelyn said quickly, sensing his concern. "She came to intimidate me. She wanted me to back off because you were hers. But I think I threw her off. She didn't expect me to push back." Evelyn said with a small sotile.

Derek exhaled slowly, letting the tension ease from his shoulders. "Well, I like that Keep pushing back. I hope you told her I'm not hers?" Derek asked, and Evelyn grinned.

"I told her you were mine," she said, and Derek chuckled

"I wish I were there to hear you say that he said, and Evelyn laughed softly.

and tell them everything she said, her tone becoming serious

to know, I really don't get why you kept it from them in the

need to tell you." Evelyn continued, her voice hesitant. "Can we meet? I

something earlier before his mother

respond, Derek's phone beeped with an incoming call. He glanced at the screen and saw his father's name flash across it. His stomach twisted. He knew why his father was calling. He could tell his

he said, trying to keep the tension from his voice. "My father's calling. I'll

I you back"

Evelyn replied, her voice

immediately switched over to his father's

but there was a weight to it that Derek didn't miss. "I need you to come

He knew his mother had told his Eather everything The

tried to stay calm and prepare himself for the impending conversation with his father, hoped he could make

was racing again. His father wasn't easily swayed, but Derek

knew his father would be waiting. The door was slightly ajar, and he

desk. The room, filled with the scent of old books and polished wood, felt like a courtroom

in the middle of a work day. What happened with your mother?" his father asked, his tone measured, though Derek could sense the curiosity and concern

taken aback "What kind of question is that? Of course, I trust you most. You're my

to know something and I need you to keep it between

Ath

nothing as he watched Derek pull out his phone. Derek brought up the CCTV footage he had saved, and with a few taps.be handed

this what I think it is?" He asked when he was done, and

and then tried to remove it when I wasn't there. He's been playing us all along, and he's the one behind the scandal. He deliberately made it look like Evelyn

would be do something like that? When did you find

about it last

you show this to us earlier Especially to your mother? Or

I'm worried because she'd find a way to justify it. You know how she is about Michael. She's too blind where Michael is concerned, Derek said, his voice tight with

looked up at Derek, his expression grave. "Still, this shows that Michael is

he is. He's manipulating this whole situation, and Sandra

this Evelyn girl a lot, his father observed. "Yes, I do. She's not just some random girl I fell for Dad. I've

father asked, taken aback by

shortly after I