The Billionaire's Unexpected Proposal by Samantha

Chapter 167

Michael sat in his apartment, his head in his hands, his mind racing with thoughts of the morning's confrontation.

His whole life felt like it was hanging by a frayed thread, barely held together, slipping more with every second. He got up, pacing back and forth across the living room.

He could almost feel the cell walls closing in, imagining the metallic clang of prison doors locking him inside forever.

How did it come to this? He'd had it all planned- every detail- but somehow, Derek had found out. And Evelyn. Why did they all seem so concerned about her, like she was part of the family? The way Derek had looked at him earlier, there was something personal there. Why was Derek so invested in her? The sudden ring of his phone pulled him out of his thoughts.

Glancing at the screen, Michael scowled when he saw Sandra's name flashing. His stomach twisted, the rage bubbling up inside.

He could almost see her smirking, completely oblivious to the fact that he knew her plan to get rid of him.

How could she sound so normal, so calm, when she was plotting his death? He gripped the phone tightly, wishing he could scream at her, confront her, make her suffer. But he coulan't. He knew now that their call was being monitored, and two cops stood just outside his door, ready to step in if he so much as made a wrong move.

With a deep breath, he swiped to answer, keeping his tone as steady as he could manage. "Hello, Sandra."

and pleasant, as though nothing had changed. "I hope I didn't catch

forcing a casual

wonderful," she cooed. "I actually need a

Sandra explained sweetly. "I ordered a few things online. The person handling it was quite insistent about meeting at a specific location rather than doing a home delivery. Would you mind picking it up for me? I'd do it myself, but I have that class to attend." "What exactly did you buy that needs to be picked

with suspicion laced through his words despite his effort to

a few things to make sure the party goes off without a hitch. I

without a doubt that he would have so easily fallen into her trap had he not heard of her plan before now. Never would he have doubted such

help since Michael always ended up doing whatever she wanted no matter what, especially if there was the promise of

I knew I could count on you." Sandra's voice practically sang

inhale as if to end the call, but he stopped her, his voice softer, almost hesitant. "Sandy... do you still

light laugh. "Of course I always have and always will, Mike. Don't be silly! Why would you ask such a thing? You know you mean

warmth, the fake affection. She sounded exactly like the woman he had once loved with every fiber of his being, and yet now he saw her for what she was - manipulative, callous, and deadly. "No reason. I was just

up the call before he could say anything else, and

the phone slipping from his grip and onto the couch beside him. He just

bother to stop them as they slid down his cheeks. He felt like a fool, used and discarded by the one person he had loved