The Billionaire's Unexpected Proposal by Samantha

Chapter 152

As Sandra sat in the back of the cab on her way to Michael's place, she rested her head against the cool window as her thoughts flitted back to the time she'd spent shopping with Derek's mother and how seamlessly she was fitting into the family.

Thinking about what Derek's mom had said about her parents being present at the birthday party and about it being a significant night, Sandra raised her hand to look at her finger, and she smiled as she imagined a diamond ring on it.

Thinking about Derek proposing to her on that night, she decided that even though Derek's mother had asked her to make the party an intimate affair, it wouldn't be a bad idea for the party to be covered and put on the front page of the magazine- that way news of her engagement to Derek would be made public faster.

She sighed dreamily at the thought of finally being Mrs. Stone.

Nothing and nobody could stop her now- not Evelyn, and definitely not Michael. She was going to take care of them.

Evelyn was always going to be a threat to her as long as Evelyn knew about her and Michael's affair. She couldn't have that.

After what Michael tried to do, she knew that he, too, was a threat.

He would always want to hold something over her, and she couldn't have anyone blackmailing her.

She might have failed the last time with the drugging incident, but she wouldn't fail again. She couldn't afford to. That was why she was planning something even bigger and better now for those two. A permanent way to get rid of them. She was going to use one stone to kill two birds.

Not wanting to dwell on that, she took her phone out of her purse and dialed Derek's number with a smile. The phone rang twice before Derek picked up.

Away from there, Derek was seated in the dining with Evelyn and Samantha, having dinner as Samantha told them all about school.

Derek's phone vibrated on the table, and he glanced at the screen.

"It's Sandra," he muttered under his breath, trying not to show his irritation.

"Shouldn't she be on her way to Michael's or with him already? You should answer it," Evelyn said, her voice gentle but firm.

Derek hesitated, his eyes darting to Samantha, who was happily nibbling on her pasta, unaware of the tension.

Evelyn chuckled at his reluctance, knowing why he didn't want to take it in front of her. "Go on. I don't mind," she said, waving him off with a smile. "Just don't take too long."

With a sigh, Derek got up from the table, shaking his head as he glanced at Samantha again. Evelyn laughed softly, amused by his internal struggle, as he excused himself from the table and walked into the hallway for some privacy.

He answered the call. "Hello, Sandra."

Sandra's pout was almost audible through the phone. "I always have to be the one calling you, Derek. Do you ever miss me?"

Derek rubbed his forehead, his patience thinning. "We've been over this several times, Sandra. You know I'm busy. Are you sure you want to be with someone who's always tied up with work? You might end up lonely. Maybe it's best we end things if you can't cope." There was a brief silence before Sandra quickly reassured him, her voice suddenly soft and eager. "I don't mind as long as you come back home to me every night. That's all that matters."

Derek leaned against the wall, staring at the ceiling. "If that's enough for you.." he said, trailing off. He could already feel the strings of Sandra's ambitions pulling at the edges of their nonexistent relationship.

was undeterred. "So, I went shopping with your mother today," she said brightly, wanting to change the subject. "It was so much fun! We picked out a few things for

to hear

giggled, clearly trying to steer

me her birthday is in

seeing through her subtle attempts. "Let me

playful. "She said it's going to be a significant night, and my family was invited. I want it to be special, Derek. So, I was thinking... Maybe I could invite a couple

what she was fishing for. "If that's what you want, Sandra, go ahead.

glowing through the phone now. "You

I've got a big announcement to make that night, so it's probably

a gasp on the other end of the line. "A big announcement? What

Sandra, if I told you, it wouldn't be a

giggle, delighted that she was right, and he planned to propose. "Well, I'll have to make sure I wear something spectacular then. You'll

you'll look great. Now, I really have to

"I'll let you go. Just don't forget our plans

I haven't forgotten," Derek replied, and

to the dining room but stopped in his tracks when he saw Evelyn standing in the doorway, leaning against the frame with her arms crossed and a

raising an eyebrow.

"She seems to think I'm going to propose to her at my mother's birthday party. She's already planning to have reporters cover the whole thing. She's in for a surprise, just not the one she's expecting." Evelyn

If she wants to expose herself to the world, that's on her. Besides, your parents did nothing wrong to feel

on. Let's get back to Samantha," he said softly, touching her arm and she followed him even

as

took a deep breath, reminding herself that she had to stay

all be over soon,

the tension rising as she walked up to the door and

doorway with a glass

I was beginning to think you wouldn't show up," Michael said, stepping aside to

already resolved our differences." Her voice

chuckled. "Looking for something?" he

didn't set up any secret

have no reason

but there was always a small part of her that couldn't fully trust him anymore. "Good," she said,

drink?" Michael asked, and she eyed the bottle but

I'm not in the mood for

from her, his expression playful but with an underlying intensity. "Fine," he said as

forward in her seat,

after... I didn't invite

knew precisely what he meant, and although she hated every moment of it, she forced herself to smile. "Alright," she murmured, standing up slowly and walking toward the

with her, she walked away to the bathroom to clean up, feeling irritated by the