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."

Michael! How are you doing?" Sandra's voice chimed, light and pleasant, as though nothing had changed. "I hope I didn't catch

he replied, forcing a casual tone despite the tension

actually need a favor,

as she had promised the hitman she would. "Oh, it's nothing too big, just a little help with a delivery," Sandra explained sweetly. "I ordered a few things online. The person handling it was quite insistent about

suspicion laced through his words despite his effort to keep his tone

she chuckled lightly, "it's nothing so serious. You know, some essentials for your aunt's birthday. Just a few things to make sure the party goes off without

through the explanation made Michael's skin crawl. He knew without a doubt that he would have so easily fallen into her

should I make other arrangements?" Sandra asked, confident that he would help since Michael always ended up doing whatever she wanted no matter what, especially if there was the promise of a sexual reward. "Fine, he replied. "Send me the details, and I'll pick it up," Michael said

count on you." Sandra's

call, but he stopped her,

into a light laugh. "Of course I always have and always will, Mike. Don't be silly! Why

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 wondering." "Well, I need

call before he could say anything else, and the line went

hand fall, the phone slipping from his grip and onto the couch beside him.

eyes, and he didn't bother to stop them as they slid down his cheeks. He felt like a fool, used and discarded by