The Billionaire's Unexpected Proposal by Samantha

Billionaire’s 157

Billionaire’s 157

Chapter 157

Derek leaned back in his chair as he sipped his whiskey. Ethan sat across from him, nursing a beer, his gaze distant as he stared at the wall behind Derek's shoulder. The lounge was their usual hangout spot, cozy and familiar, but tonight was different. Ethan was not his usual funny and chatty self, and it was glaring.

Derek studied Ethan for a moment, watching his friend's face for any sign of emotion. "So, what's going on with you, man? How are you really feeling about the whole situation with Rayna?" Derek asked, breaking the silence that had settled between them after their pleasantries and small talk about work. Ethan took a slow sip of his beer, his expression unreadable. "I'm fine," he said flatly. "I've moved on."

Derek raised an eyebrow. "Really? Just like that?"

Ethan shrugged. "Yeah. Just like that."

Derek set his glass down on the table with a soft thud, leaning forward. You don't just move on from someone you claimed to love, Ethan. You don't just flip a switch and pretend everything's fine." Ethan's jaw tightened, but he said nothing, his eyes still fixed on the wall.

"Come on, man," Derek pressed, his voice quieter now. "You're holding on to this grudge like it's going to fix things. She's apologized, Ethan. More than once, to the best of my knowledge.

Is losing your golden sun over that misunderstanding really worth it?"

her that? Or better still, can we just talk about something else?" Before Derek could respond, his phone buzzed on the table, the screen lighting up with a message notification. He

to see it

connecting it to his phone. He played

It was Sandra.

get the job done, Sandra's voice said coldly through the recording. "Make

car. She seems to have a bodyguard, so find a way to distract him.

to Sandra give more instructions. She wanted Michael kidnapped and then Evelyn. The plan was to make it appear as though they had eloped and something tragic had happened. Or better yet, they should make it look like Michael had kidnapped Evelyn out of anger and jealousy because he was still obsessed with her and then killed her and then committed suicide. It was a

hearing. This wasn't just about her wanting Evelyn out of the picture- this was

asked, noticing Derek's

but the gravity of the situation made it impossible. He yanked out his earbud and handed it

took the earbud, frowning as he played the recording. The further into the recording he got, the more his face mirrored

recording ended, Ethan pulled out the earbud slowly, his eyes wide with disbelief. "Are you kidding me?" he asked, his voice low. "She is really doing this? She's planning to murder Evelyn...and Michael? I thought Michael was supposed to be her partner?" Derek ran a hand through his hair, still

to do?" he asked, his

He couldn't just sit on this information. Evelyn was in danger, and

Michael had betrayed

and he would rather Michael face the punishment for his crimes than

red-handed. But how was he going