The Billionaire's Unexpected Proposal by Samantha

Chapter 193

The rest of the drive passed with Derek visibly more at ease, thanks to Evelyn's words. When they finally pulled into the driveway of his parent's home, the sight before them brought an instant smile to both their faces. Samantha, clad in overalls and wielding a tiny

watering can, was enthusiastically helping Derek's mother in the garden.

The moment Samantha spotted the car, she squealed in delight and abandoned her task, sprinting toward them. "Mommy! Daddy!" she yelled, her arms outstretched.

"Samantha, wait-" Evelyn began, but it was too late.

Samantha barreled into her, wrapping her small arms tightly around Evelyn's waist. The damp soil from Samantha's hands smeared across Evelyn's pristine white pants.

Evelyn groaned playfully, looking down at the brown stains. "Oh, Samantha..."

Derek chuckled as he stepped closer, lifting Samantha into his arms. "Guess what? I don't mind a little dirt," he said, touching a tiny smear of soil that adorned the tip of Samantha's nose with his finger.

She giggled, "I was helping Grandma! We planted flowers!" Samantha announced proudly, pointing

toward the garden.

"I see you've been busy," Derek said as he set

Samantha down. She hurried over to greet Maya, who laughed softly, brushing a stray curl out of Samantha's face as they chatted.

"She's been such a delightful companion"" Derek's mom said, wiping her hands on her apron as she approached them.

"She's always full of energy," Derek said with a grin,

"I'm not sure you've met Maya. This is Maya, Samantha's..." Derek trailed off since he could no longer refer to her as the nanny.

"Aunt. She is Samantha's aunt. She has been with me for years and has practically raised Samantha as her own daughter," Evelyn stepped in, and Derek's mom smiled at Maya.

"It's good to meet you, Maya. Let's head inside and cool off with my freshly prepared lemonade," Derek's mom suggested, gesturing toward the house.

Once inside, they settled in the cozy living room, sipping the chilled drinks the housekeeper brought in.

"Your father is inside. I'll quickly clean up Sam, and then we will join you after I freshen up," Derek's mom said and started to leave, but Derek held up a hand.

"Actually, Mom, could that wait for a moment? I need to talk to you and Dad. We don't have much time - we need to take Samantha to visit Evelyn's mom after this."

His mom looked curious but nodded. "Speaking about Evelyn's Mom. How is she? I was going to call you, but when you called earlier to say you were both coming, I decided to wait. Rumors of her dying and coming back to life have been all over social media," she said, and Evelyn nodded. "It's true. What happened was a miracle," Evelyn said, and they went ahead to give her the details.

"I'm glad she is alive. It would have been a great loss," Derek's mom said, and they all agreed.

"Let me get your father now," she said, and as she disappeared down the hall, Evelyn leaned toward Derek. "I will help Samantha clean up and keep her busy while you talk to them," she whispered. Derek glanced at her, gratitude evident in his eyes.

Leaning in, he gave her a quick kiss. "Thank you."

Evelyn smiled, holding out her hand for Samantha.

"Come on, sweetheart. Let's get you cleaned up."

When Derek's parents returned together, Derek introduced Maya to him. Then, they left her in the living room and headed for the study so they could

speak privately.

were comfortably seated, his father looked at him with curiosity. "What did you want to

then cleared his throat. "Yesterday, I stopped by the police station and spoke briefly with

unexpected," Derek added.

His mother asked,

and tried to find dirt on my biological

She asked, unable to believe the extent to which Michael had

wavered slightly as he explained what Michael had revealed about him

their expressions unreadable as they

tone calm yet firm. "Are you sure this is not another

But it's not like he brought someone to Derek, claiming her to be his sister. It is us who will search for the girl. We can always confirm with a DNA test when we

have a sister, we should find her," his mother said

aback. "You

If she's your family, she's ours too. Did you

sure how you'd feel about it. I didn't want you to think I'm not

hand tightened. "You will always be my son, Derek. Nothing will

your sister doesn't take away from our

And you should know that we would have tried to find her ourselves had we

nodded in agreement.

there'll be no shortage of people trying to take advantage

he was holding. "I

you can handle it yourself, or do you want us to handle it?" His mother asked, and

wanted your permission to go ahead,"

Thank you for respecting our feelings," she said,

moment later, they returned to the living room to join Maya, and they met Evelyn and a cleaned-up Samantha there, too. Evelyn's questioning gaze met Derek's,

prepared to leave, Samantha hopped into the car, chatting excitedly about her adventures

as they drove away. "That

hand on his

have to take the leap.

for six years," he said dryly, and she laughed

I'm speaking now from my

his head. "You're right, as

call the people you mentioned? Have them look into

you didn't want me interfering?" She asked,

one knows I'm the

course. I'm happy to help," Evelyn replied,

arrived at the hospital, Samantha's cheerful chatter filled

her wide eyes fixed on her grandmother lying in

your head?" Samantha asked, her voice small and tears gathering in her eyes as she

accident, sweetheart, but I'm fine now. I

bed, her small hand cupping Claire's cheek. "I'll kiss your boo-boo and make it all better." Claire laughed softly as Samantha pressed a kiss to her forehead.

to go home," she

Not until I'm sure you're completely okay," Eric said firmly,

nothing," Claire argued

"I'm

a soft smile as her gaze met Maya's. "It's good to see

warm.

smile, stepping closer to