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.

taking her side right now?" Sandra asked in

stating a fact. Tell me exactly what happened," Michael

then she played it for our parents! I was blindsided, completely humiliated!" Sandra's

was a brief silence on the other end of the line before Michael

It's not like she's ever done that before!

than to talk to Evelyn like that, especially in a place where anyone could be listening. You were careless to have that conversation with Evelyn in the dining

could have overheard you," Michael said, his tone edged

this time but at the situation. "That's

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

his voice calm but firm. "You need to make a choice, Sandra. You can't have both Derek and the magazine. You need to decide what's more important to

I have both?" she demanded, her voice rising in desperation. "I want both, Michael! And I don't want Evelyn 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 will know where she is now, and that's an advantage. If she's at the magazine, you can keep a close eye on her and control what

the idea of Evelyn working at the magazine, Michael had a point. Having Evelyn close meant she could monitor her

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

said, his voice smooth and

you can ruin Evelyn's credibility

even her father will see that you're the better

her shoulders easing as

about

voice took on a

shouldn't meet too often. We agreed it's too risky,, Sandra reminded him, her mind still racing with the possibilities their conversation had opened up. "Not at my place," Michael countered smoothly. "We'll meet

though her mind was already shifting gears. "I can't meet tonight. I'm supposed to

you meeting with

I need Rayna on my side." Michael sighed in exasperation. "Sandra, you're wasting time on petty revenge. Forget Evelyn. You should focus on what we're doing. We're closer to achieving our