The Billionaire's Unexpected Proposal by Samantha

Chapter 169

Derek arrived at the Quinn house, pulling up to the driveway with a steady resolve. He knew tonight would be a test of his patience and control.

As he approached the front door, it swung open, revealing Sandra, who beamed at him, her face lighting up with enthusiasm. It seemed like she had been waiting for him. "Derek! You're here!" she exclaimed, stepping forward as if to hug him, but he subtly shifted, pretending to give her a once-over.

"You look good, Sandra", he said, making her flush with pleasure and not realize that he had just avoided her hug.

"You're always so full of compliments. Thank you," she said with a wide smile and then ushered him in, "Come in, come in! My parents are so eager to see you."

Claire and Eric, who were seated in the living room watching the television, looked up when Derek followed Sandra into the living room.

They both maintained a carefully neutral expression so as not to give away the fact that they were familiar with him already.

"Dad, Mom, this is Derek, CEO of Stone Corp. Derek, my parents," Sandra said with a beaming smile as she did the introductions. Claire and Eric greeted him with warm smiles and extended their hands with a practiced air of cordiality.

"Hello, Derek," Claire said, her tone deliberately neutral.

"Hello, Mr. and Mrs. Quinn," Derek replied, giving them a polite nod.

They exchanged the usual pleasantries, keeping the conversation light and cordial while Sandra went in to finish her look and get her purse.

All three of them could sense the tension in the room, apart from Sandra, who had no idea that they were all very much aware of her plans.

After a few minutes, Sandra reappeared, her makeup finished, and her excitement apparent. "Alright, ready to go!" she announced, glancing at her parents. "I will be back late. Or not. Don't wait up," she said as she reached for Derek's arm, attempting to hold on to him, but he subtly stepped aside, gesturing toward the door.

"We will be leaving now. 'Il bring her back early," Derek promised, and Sandra pouted for a moment but quickly masked it with a smile since she didn't want to offend Derek by seeming too clingy.

"Our reds don't match. Mine looks sharper while yours is deep" she observed as they walked outside.

"You told me red. You didn't exactly give me a specific shade," he pointed out, glad that it didn't match.

"You're right. I suppose red is red. It doesn't matter the shade," she said, and Derek hoped she would think so when she saw Evelyn's outfit.

When they got to the car, Derek opened the car door for her and then took his place behind the wheel.

As he drove, she tried to make small talk, chatting about her week and work and how she was excited about the evening ahead, but he only offered brief responses, his thoughts elsewhere.

In his mind, Derek kept replaying his last conversation with Evelyn before Ethan's call came in. He was concerned about the tension he'd noticed in her earlier and wondered if she'd truly been okay.

Had something else happened that she wasn't telling him? And why had she claimed she received a kitchen delivery yet had come out from the guest room instead of the kitchen? Something felt off, and he couldn't shake the feeling that she was hiding something. "Derek?" Sandra's voice broke into his thoughts, pulling him back to the present. "Hmm?" he murmured, barely glancing her way.

annoyance that she

what I'm going to say and how I'm going to fit in, he replied, giving her

have to fit in. I'm not exactly very

to

a Babymama to some man. All she had to do now was get Evelyn and

pulled out her phone, remembering that she had yet to send an important message to

do not forget to use his phone to give Evelyn several calls. You should also send some crazy texts that would make it seem like he is obsessed with her. Make it believable.] Satisfied, she put her phone away. "What are you up to?" Derek asked, catching her

chat to see if everyone has arrived," she replied breezily, flashing a

Rayna's bakery, which was the venue, Derek parked and stepped out of the car, going

immediately looked around

jumpsuit, and he felt his chest tighten at the sight of her. The red color matched his own perfectly, and he resisted the urge to smile, keeping his composure so that

her, and when she turned and saw him, she

hand, Sandra's face fell when

Evelyn wore, which fit Derek's red perfectly and

if he had noticed Evelyn looking at him, but to Sandra's pleasure, Derek was smiling

noticed, to her frustration, that the only

table, they were greeted with polite nods and waves from former classmates since Sandra wasn't exactly very friendly with others, unlike Evelyn, who got along with everyone and was

can sit next to my boyfriend?" Sandra asked hopefully since the last thing

said sweetly, and Evelyn resisted the urge to giggle. Evelyn had not noticed what Rayna had done until then,

sense. Why do I have to

Don't make a scene,"

sure you have all the time in the world to spend with your fine-looking boyfriend. A couple of minutes away from him won't be the

Evelyn, seeing as you both don't get along. I don't want any fighting in my bakery," Rayna said, and Sandra scowled at her while the

thought I was imagining things. What possibly could have torn you both

will sit beside Evelyn, and you can sit here. It's only for a couple of hours. It's not a big deal," Derek said, guiding Sandra to the seat

seat opposite Evelyn as Derek held out the seat for her, and

he sat down, Evelyn greeted him

to see you

Evelyn a brief glance, unable to bring himself to ignore her even though it was only for show. "Same here. You look gorgeous,"

Evelyn could tell it

the

butterflies flutter in her stomach, and she held back a

know each other?" Someone asked,

course. This

irritation barely concealed. "He is Derek Stone, my

she watched Sandra's irritation. "You know, if I didn't know better, I'd say Evelyn and Derek are

as she glared at Rayna. "Derek is my boyfriend, not Evelyn's," she