The Billionaire's Unexpected Proposal by Samantha

Chapter 116

Chapter

116

After the call with Rayna, Sandra paced around her office.

Her mind raced as she paced back and forth, her heels clicking against the floor.

Her confrontation with Evelyn had gone disastrously wrong. She hadn't expected Evelyn to be so prepared, so ready to counter her move. Sandra clenched her fists, trying to calm the anger simmering just beneath the surface. The thought of Evelyn sitting confidently at the breakfast table, basking in their father's approval, made her blood boil.

She needed to talk to Michael, to vent her frustrations, and to figure out what to do next. She stopped pacing and glanced at her phone on the desk, her fingers itching to dial Michael's number.

But a part of her hesitated. Should she call him or go to his office? After all, he was just as much involved in this mess as she was, and he might be able to offer a solution if they talked face-to-face. Michael had said they should limit physical meetings to avoid raising suspicions, and she didn't want to risk anything that might jeopardize her chances with Derek.

Sandra resumed pacing, chewing on her lower lip as she weighed her options. The more she thought about it, the more she agreed that calling was the better choice. It was safer and more discreet. With a frustrated sigh, Sandra grabbed her phone and dialed Michael's number. She tapped her fingers impatiently on the desk as she waited for him to pick up.

Michael answered on the first ring, his voice calm and collected. "I was just about to call you," he said.

"You won't believe what Evelyn did to me this morning," she said, her voice trembling with barely contained anger.

"What did you do?" Michael asked, his tone sharpening with interest. He knew Evelyn enough to know she wasn't someone who stirred trouble unless she was attacked first.

"What do you mean what did I do?" Sandra snapped.

"Because I'm sure Evelyn wouldn't just do something if you didn't do anything first. So, what did you do?" Michael repeated.

right now?" Sandra

a fact. Tell me exactly what happened," Michael

on to tell him how Evelyn had shown up during breakfast," she recorded our conversation, Michael! And then she played it for our parents! I was

was a brief silence on the other end of the

know she was recording me? It's not like she's ever done that before! How

should have known better than to talk to Evelyn like that, especially in a place where anyone could be listening. You were

overheard you," Michael said, his tone

her anger not directed at him this time but at the situation. "That's not the problem

that I don't want Evelyn back at the family magazine.

You can't have both Derek and the magazine. You need

getting either of them or getting in my way!" There was a pause on the other end of the line, and Sandra could almost picture Michael rubbing his temples in exasperation. "Sandra, have you considered the fact that keeping Evelyn close might actually work in your favor? We

magazine, Michael had a point. Having Evelyn close meant she could monitor her every move, sabotage her work, and

a slow smile spreading across her face as the plan took shape in her mind.

Michael said, his

cards right, you can ruin Evelyn's credibility at the magazine. Make her a

respect there, even her father will

her shoulders easing as she imagined

about Evelyn. I've

Michael's voice took on a more

too often. We agreed it's too risky,, Sandra reminded him, her mind still racing with the possibilities their conversation had opened up.

let out a soft laugh, though her mind was already shifting gears. "I can't meet tonight.

meeting with her?" Michael's voice sharpened

hair around her finger. "Our class reunion is taking place next weekend, and I plan to humiliate Evelyn. To do that, I need Rayna on my side." Michael sighed in exasperation. "Sandra, you're