The Billionaire's Unexpected Proposal by Samantha

Chapter

160

Before Evelyn could answer Derek's question and share her idea with them, Claire stood up, her expression somber. " think I should excuse myself," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "I don't want to know the details or be part of the planning. I just... I can't. If you'll excuse me, I'll go spend some time with Samantha upstairs." She swallowed, a sad smile crossing her face.

Eric sighed, knowing the whole thing was probably too much for Claire to bear. He reached out and patted her hand gently. "Of course," he murmured, understanding the burden she was carrying. They all nodded and watched as Claire quietly exited the room. "Please give me a minute," Evelyn said as she hurried after her mother.

"Mom""" Evelyn called as she caught up with her at the foot of the stairs.

Claire turned, forcing a smile as she fought to hold back her tears.

"Mom, I understand how you feel, but you know I have to do this" she said apologetically, and Claire nodded.

"Of course, I understand. I'm totally with you on whatever you choose to do. Sandra deserves it, especially after everything she's done. But I just don't want to be there when you make the plans"" Claire said, and Evelyn nodded. "Thank you for understanding, Mom," Evelyn said, and Claire nodded before taking the stairs.

As Evelyn joined them again, Rebecca let out a soft sigh. "Poor woman. I can't imagine what she must be going through." She looked around at the others, her expression filled with sympathy.

"As a mother, it's hard to come to terms with something like this.

Knowing your own child is... capable of such things."

The room fell into silence, and after a moment, Derek turned to Evelyn, his gaze filled with determination. "Go on, babe. Tell us what you're thinking."

Evelyn took a deep breath, gathering her thoughts. "As I said earlier, I want to be kidnapped and killed just as Sandra wants..."

"But you don't mean killed literally, right? So, how do you mean it?"

Derek asked since that was what he wanted to hear.

"I think we should arrange a meeting with the hitman Sandra hired.

intentions, we can involve the

him on the spot. This way, we have solid

he is

"The conversation between them didn't sound that way. He's just a hitman. Besides, he will know the police

get rid of Sandra for good, he couldn't help being worried.

pretend to be him and tan with Sandra. We have to move fast since tomorrow is the reunion. And we also have to be careful so as not to alert Sandra,"

do we do about him?" Rebecca said, since even though she would want

think that's up to you,"

tomorrow and

we have to be sure he won't decide to go after Sandra himself

want is to involve him and have him ruin everything," Evelyn's father said, and

necessary preparations and take every precaution to make sure he won't interfere with our plans. Besides, I don't think we have anything to worry about. We let him know that we are aware of his intentions and actions thus far. We'll make it clear that we're one step ahead and that he can either join us to take down Sandra or we can take them both down. I'm sure he would be willing to cooperate in order to protect

this mean our plans for the birthday are off?" Derek's mother asked curiously, but Derek shook his

it worth the effort," Derek said, and

will get the shock of her life if she sees me there, totally alive and fine. And then the police can take her," Evelyn said, and everyone nodded in agreement with the plan. There was a sense of resolve in the

being delivered. When Evelyn noticed the worried frown on her father's face and how he kept glancing in the direction Claire had gone, she excused herself to

settled into a cozy chair while Samantha enthusiastically showed her a picture book. Claire's face softened, the stress from earlier seeming to melt away as she watched her granddaughter's

having a hard time accepting the truth about the sort of monster her daughter was.

here," Evelyn said gently when Claire noticed her presence and met her gaze. "I'll take Samantha down to join

a nod. "Go on, sweetheart. I'll be down in a

reassuring look, understanding her need for a moment alone, and then guided Samantha

their way downstairs, Samantha skipped alongside her, clutching her picture book

and Evelyn's father welcomed Samantha warmly. She slid into her chair, chattering happily as her

Derek's mother asked, her

of a fairy princess. "Look, Grandma, this princess has a

chuckled, reaching out to gently touch Samantha's cheek. "Just

leaned over, examining the book