The Billionaire's Unexpected Proposal by Samantha

Chapter 171

As they reached the Quinns residence, Derek pulled the car to a stop without looking at her. He barely waited for her to unbuckle her seatbelt before unlocking the doors. His gaze remained fixed forward, expression unreadable.

"Thank you, Derek," Sandra said, her voice low, hoping he would soften.

But Derek didn't respond. Instead, he turned his face away from her and waited. She opened the door, pausing as though she expected him to say something, anything but he only stared straight ahead. With a frustrated sigh, Sandra climbed out of the car and closed the door. The moment it shut, Derek drove away, leaving Sandra staring after him in the dim light of the front porch.

As he pulled away from the house, Derek felt a wave of relief wash over him. She was finally out of the car, and he could breathe again.

He reached for his phone, dialing Evelyn's number as he turned onto the empty street leading back toward Rayna's bakery.

The phone rang twice before Evelyn picked up, her voice a little calm and warm. "D? Has she left?" Evelyn asked as she excused herself from the group of ladies she had been chatting with.

"Yeah, I dropped her off,' he said, feeling a smile tug at the corner of his lips as he thought about the exchange between Evelyn and Sandra at the bakery. "You handled her really well earlier, by the way. That was impressive."

Evelyn chuckled softly. "I was just hoping I didn't go too far and embarrass you."

Derek's smile softened. "Oh, trust me, I had fun. Honestly, I was probably just as entertained as everyone else in there. You were fire."

laughter drifted through the line, light and genuine. "Glad I could amuse you. I had fun, too... but I

deciding against it; she was already tense, and he didn't want to add to her anxiety. "Hey, don't worry. I'm not going to leave you alone in this, okay? Im actually planning to hang around until the reunion is over so I can take you back myself. I don't think

of relief. "Thank you, D. That makes me feel a lot better." She paused before adding, "By the way, do you know

from before you... disappeared." Evelyn shuddered involuntarily and took a slow breath, processing his words. "I have to admit, Sandra is disturbingly thorough with her plans." "Just relax," he told her gently. "Enjoy the night, okay? I'll be nearby when

I have something to tell you," Evelyn said, her voice laced with a hint

it?" Derek

see you," she

a hint?" Is it something good or bad?" He asked, wondering if it had anything to do with her behavior at home earlier. She chuckled softly.

It's not really a conversation for over the phone. You'll understand when we

laughed, shaking his head. "What if I just pop in there and pretend I'm mad at you for embarrassing Sandra, just to drag you out and

voice light and free. "That wouldn't make any sense at all. You

soon?" Derek asked, a

replied, sounding a bit hesitant as though

he echoed, pretending

think I've been on the phone long enough. I need to join the

any of the guys flirting with you in there?"

must think everyone is like you. Why do you