The Billionaire's Unexpected Proposal by Samantha

Chapter 104

As Michael drove back home, he thought about what Derek had said about trying to seduce Evelyn, and he snorted. Over his dead body, he thought. There was no way he was ever going to let anything happen between Derek and Evelyn. The very idea made his blood boil.

Thinking about it again, he began to wonder if Sandra had lied to him earlier. If Evelyn truly wanted Derek, why hadn't she made a move? She knew Derek had feelings for her, so what was stopping her? The more he thought about it, the more unsettled he became.

Michael's thoughts drifted back to the first few times he had run into Evelyn at the company and the way she had acted. It all made sense now that Evelyn had acted that way because she knew Derek was interested in her. Was she playing some sort of game, testing their boundaries?

He shook his head to rid himself of those thoughts.

None of it mattered anymore. Evelyn had lost her job at Empowered, and Derek had no reason to meet with her again. Michael allowed himself a small, satisfied smile at the thought. Derek had said it himself - there was no longer any connection between them. As far as Michael was concerned, that chapter was closed.

Yet, the smile faded as quickly as it came when Sandra came to mind. Michael's expression darkened as his thoughts shifted to her. Something about Sandra wasn't sitting right with him. He couldn't shake the nagging feeling that she was up to something, plotting behind his back. Her decision to visit Evelyn at her office - careless, reckless-kept gnawing at him. What was she thinking? Michael's jaw clenched. Talking to her was not enough.

He needed to put Sandra in check. It was clear that she needed to be kept on a much tighter leash. Perhaps it was time to find some leverage-something to hold over her that would guarantee her loyalty and obedience. He couldn't afford any surprises.

With that thought in mind, Michael reached for his phone, ready to call Sandra and arrange a meeting the next day. But when he picked up the device, something felt off. He glanced at the screen, and his brow furrowed in confusion. The wallpaper was different. His phone didn't have a floral background.

What the hell?

His brows pulled together when he pressed his thumb against the fingerprint sensor, but the phone refused to unlock. Panic bubbled up inside him as he tried again, only to be met with the same result. Swearing under his breath, Michael pulled over to the side of the road, his fingers flying over the keypad as he entered his password. The screen remained stubbornly locked. Frustration mounted as he looked closer at the phone.

It was slightly different from his, just enough that he realized with dawning horror that this wasn't his phone at all. It was someone else's.

He cursed loudly, his pulse racing as he recalled the brief encounter with the woman he'd bumped into earlier. Could it be? Had they somehow switched phones? He mentally retraced his steps to the hotel, remembering how she had been going in as he was coming out. There was no doubt about it - they had swapped phones.

Without wasting another second, Michael turned the car around and headed back toward the hotel. He prayed that the woman was a guest there and that she hadn't gone far. If he could just get in touch with her using Derek's phone, maybe she'd answer if he called his own phone and brought it back to him. He needed to fix the error at once.

The tension in his chest eased slightly as he pulled up to the hotel. He hurried inside, heading straight for Derek's suite. There was no time to lose. He rang the bell, impatience thrumming through his veins. Inside the suite, Derek had just stepped out of the shower with a towel wrapped loosely around his waist as he prepared to settle down for the night. He had a phone call to make- one he'd been looking forward to all evening. Evelyn. He smiled to himself as he reached for his phone, but the sound of the doorbell pulled him from his thoughts.

as he approached the door, checking the peephole. A smirk tugged at his lips when he

as soon as possible and had promised to double their fee if they were able to get it done before the end of the week. When they told him

could clone his SIM card, Derek had told them he was meeting with Michael later that evening, and they could wait around at the lounge and find a way to get the phone from Michael

to inform him that they had gotten Michael's phone, so he could guess why

number of the Hacker to find out

the hacker replied. "Just

quickly and return

over his shoulders and opened the door, greeting Michael with a wide, disarming smile. "Mike? What brings you back here? I thought you left already." Derek asked

suite. "I bumped into some woman earlier, and I didn't realize it at the time, but we swapped phones." He held up the unfamiliar device in his hand. "I was hoping

hand began to ring. Both men glanced down at the screen. The name 'Baby' flashed across it, and Michael's scowl deepened as he quickly answered

amusement as Michael

was her fiancé. He wants me to meet

"That's a relief. Do you want me to come with you?" Derek offered,

Thanks anyway," Michael said, and Derek gave him a nod as he saw

quietly. The whole situation couldn't have played out better if he had planned it himself. The phone was cloned, and Michael was none the wiser. Now, Derek had access to all of Michael's calls and texts, a crucial step in their plan. He wished he had

onto the bed, his thoughts shifting to

her number,

she answered after the

Derek responded, his grin widening at the sound of her giggle. He could practically hear the smile

have you been up to?" Evelyn asked since he had said he had a lot to do

relaxing as he recounted his day. "I

spoke with them before coming over," Evelyn

person to let them know how important it was. And after that, I met with Ethan to celebrate, and then I had a drink with Michael," Derek said, and

busy," Evelyn remarked a hint of amusement in

cloned Michael's

gasp of surprise was audible. "Already?

step closer. Don't worry, Eve. We're