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 talk

throat. "Yesterday, I stopped by the police station and spoke briefly with Michael," he began. His father nodded, gesturing for him to continue.

unexpected," Derek added.

say to you?" His mother asked, sensing

the details of my adoption and tried to find dirt on my biological family," Derek said,

boy even my nephew?" She asked, unable to believe

said, and his voice wavered slightly as he explained what Michael had revealed about him having a younger sister and how he had

exchanged glances, their expressions unreadable as they

is not

that Michael can't be trusted. 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

sense. Well, if you have a sister, we should find her," his mother

taken aback. "You think

"Why wouldn't we? If she's your family,

sure how you'd feel about it. I didn't want you to think I'm not content with having you or that finding her would change things between us, Derek

will always be my son, Derek. Nothing will

doesn't take away from our

should know that we would have tried to find her ourselves had we been told about

in agreement. "We'll need to

If word gets out, there'll be no shortage of people trying to take advantage just to get into

a breath he hadn't realized he was holding. "I understand. Thank

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

of it. I only wanted your permission to go ahead," he said, and she

you for respecting our feelings," she said,

they met Evelyn and a cleaned-up Samantha there, too. Evelyn's questioning gaze met Derek's, and when he gave her a reassuring nod, she

chatting excitedly about her

as they drove away. "That went better than I thought

her hand on

take the leap.

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

me. I'm speaking now from my wealth

shaking his head. "You're right, as

you mentioned? Have them

want me interfering?" She

one knows I'm the one

I'm happy to help," Evelyn replied, her

hospital, Samantha's cheerful chatter filled the

froze, her wide eyes fixed on her grandmother lying in the bed with a bandage on

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

her hand outstretched. "I had a little accident, sweetheart, but I'm

as Samantha pressed a kiss to her forehead. "Thank you, darling. That already feels much better." Evelyn stood by, her eyes bright with emotion. "You're looking much

ready to go home," she said,

sure you're completely okay," Eric said

fussing over nothing," Claire argued lightly,

expression softened, "I'm

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

warm.

smile, stepping closer