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

a stinging slap to his cheek, delivered with all the force of Rebecca's

up? How could you be so callous?" Her voice trembled, the

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 the fact that you've been in a relationship with Sandra for all these years yet had the guts to convince me that she would be a good fit for Derek, just so you both could do to Derek as you planned to

I

what he had do

in his office? Did that mean the conversation between

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

you going to deny all of that, 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 unleash the full extent of his

head drooped

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.

that, too. He could barely keep himself upright, the guilt, the shame- everything-bubbling up inside him. Without another thought, he fell to his knees. Derek's father shook his head, his lips

"I didn't mean

of

he

in disgust. "Sorry?

manipulate my wife into forcing Derek to marry your mistress? Or is it for

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 themselves had become witnesses to his disgrace. "I'm sorry," he whispered as he looked up, meeting

mean nothing now," Derek's father declared, his tone final, unyielding. "The only reason you're here is because we found out Sandra plans to dispose of you. If Evelyn wasn't also her target and it was up to me, I'd let Sandra have her way. Frankly, someone like you deserves to be stabbed in the back this

lucky your aunt had a