The Billionaire's Unexpected Proposal by Samantha

Chapter 162

The tension in the room was almost tangible, the air thick with accusation and unease. Michael's heart thudded heavily in his

chest; each beat reminded him that he needed to maintain his composure and hold onto his last shreds of control. But doubt clawed at his mind. He couldn't help but wonder how much they really knew, and the uncertainty gnawed at him. Was it possible that they knew everything? What exactly was Derek referring to as everything? Did Evelyn tell him about her suspicions regarding him and Sandra? Did she tell them about Sandra drugging her? Michael mused, wondering how to save himself from the sinking ship of his ambition. Desperately, he adopted a facade of confusion, forcing his face into a mask of disbelief. "What are you talking about?" he managed, his voice laced with incredulity, though there was a tremor he couldn't entirely suppress.

Derek ignored the question because he didn't have the desire or the time to waste entertaining such a foolish question. Unmoved by Michael's feigned ignorance, Derek picked up his phone and scrolled through it until he found the footage of Michael in his office. He then picked up the television controller and focused on connecting the phone to the television without so much as a glance in Michael's direction.

Derek decided to show that particular video to Michael since it would be the perfect response that Michael needed to know that they were on to him. He didn't have the time to go back and forth with words.

As Derek busied himself with the setup, Michael turned to Rebecca, his eyes searching her face, hoping for some sign of leniency, some softening in her gaze that would show he wasn't entirely doomed.

"Aunt... what

How

what

"Shut your mouth, Michael!" Her voice, cold and sharp., sliced through his words. Rising from her seat, Rebecca's glare burned into him with a fury he had never seen before, her chest heaving as though she were barely able to contain her rage. dare you call me your aunt? How dare you look me in the eye and lie to me so brazenly for so long?" she demanded, her voice breaking with betrayal. "I treated you like my own son. I trusted you, believed in you- and this is how you repay me?" Rebecca yelled, ignoring her husband, who was trying to calm her down. Seeing his aunt's outburst and hearing the venom in her words drained the color from Michael's face. Panic clawed at his chest, and he shifted uncomfortably, resisting the urge to bolt.

He tried to make sense of it all, his mind scrambling. How much could they know to make her so upset? Did they know about his relationship with Sandra? Or did they find out he was behind the scandal of Derek's adoption? His breathing grew shallow as he realized his lies might be unraveling right before him. Then, as if to answer his silent question, the television screen flickered to life. Michael felt his heart plummet as he watched himself on the screen, moving about Derek's office, reaching under the table, and removing the bug he had planted there. The horror dawned slowly like i like ice creeping through his veins. "This i is a a misunderstanding.." he

I

stinging slap to his cheek, delivered with

that you can set Evelyn up? How could

and have you arrested right here, right now." Her voice was a low growl, her eyes ablaze with a mix of anger and disappointment. "How dare you exploit our family for your twisted games? How dare you expose my family "Aunt, it's not what you think," he murmured, clutching his throbbing cheek, his voice faltering. He was trapped, struggling for words, any words that might salvage his dignity—or his freedom. "Not what I think?" she repeated, her voice rising in pitch as she slapped his other cheek. "What is not what I think? Is it the fact that you leaked our family's private matters to the public, or

I

what he had do to

plant the camera in his office? Did that mean the conversation between Sandra

he known about his relationship with Sandra from the beginning. Had Derek been playing along this whole time and leading Sandra on when he knew the truth? Had he only been waiting for the right time to strike? A wave of nausea rolled through him as he realized how much of his plan

too, Michael?" His tone was laced with barely controlled fury, as though he were daring Michael to lie again so that he'd have an excuse to

I's heart raced as he stood there with his head drooped in shame. He couldn't bear to

with everything, Michael" Derek's father said, his voice quieter but no less condemning. "We treated you like family, gave you opportunities, put faith in you. And you betrayed us." His gaze was cold, contrasting the warmth Michael once found in his uncle's eyes. "And to think you even went as far as to embezzle money from the company.. A A

everything-bubbling up inside him.

"I didn't mean

of

he

in disgust. "Sorry?

you sorry for trying to manipulate my wife into forcing Derek to marry your mistress? Or is it for lying against Evelyn all these years? Which part, exactly, are you sorry for,

Sandra and make me father his child. Or maybe he's sorry for stealing from the company. I'm sure he didn't mean it. Or he's just sorry for getting caught. Which is it, Michael?" Derek asked harshly. Michael opened his mouth to answer, but the words wouldn't come. His mind was blank, drowning in the weight of his own betrayal. Every crime and misdeed hung in the room as though the walls

plans to dispose of you. If Evelyn wasn't also her target and it was up to me, I'd let

your aunt had