The Billionaire’s Unexpected Proposal (Evelyn and Derek)

As Sandra freshened up and got ready to join her parents for dinner after work, she couldn't help but reflect on her meeting with Evelyn.

Seeing Evelyn again had stirred a nus of emotions-old memories, resentment, and the thrill of manipulation.

She was determined to uncover whatever secrets Evelyn was hiding and push her back into whatever hole she had crawled out of after all these

As she entered the dining room, she was greeted by the warm, familiar scent of her mother's cooking. "What's for dinner?" she asked as she approached the kitchen.

Claire emerged from the kitchen, wiping her hands on a dish towel. "I didn't hear you come in. Dinner is ready. Help me set the table," she ordered, and as Sandra and her mom finished. Eric joined them. "You're right on time, honey? Claire said with a smile.

"That's because the delicious aroma of your cooking drew me out," he said, and Claire laughed softly as they all settled at the dining table.

While Claire served the meal-roast chicken, mashed potatoes, and a medley of vegetables-Sandra and Eric discussed work.

As they began to eat, Sandra decided it was time to bring up her visit to Stone Corp.

1 visited Evie at Stone Corp i

today, Sandra began, watching Eric's reaction closely.

Eric paused, his fork midway to his mouth. Claire's eyes widened slightly in surprise. "Oh? You did? How is she?" Claire asked, her tone curious.

Sandra smiled, savoring the moment. "She seemed fine although she wasn't very receptive. She was sort of cold."

"Gold? Why? Did something about between you two!" Claire asked since she had been wondering that this whole time.

It was one thing for Evelyn to have left the house and cur communication with her parents, but Sandra was her best friend. She couldn't imagine how Evelyn could have done that considering how close they had been.

Thave no idea. I suppose she's upset I remained friends with Michael Sandra said with a shrug and a sad pout.

"Does she have any right to be upset about that when she ended things with the poor young man herself?" Erie asked with a scowl

"Did she tell you that? Claire asked and Sandra shook her head.

"Not exactly. But she hinted at it when she asked me if I was still friends with him. You know, I told her I found out she worked there from Michael." Sandra explained but Eric said nothing, his jaw set in a hard line

"Anyway, I told her about the anniversary I

y party and invited her over. I hope you don't mind," she said, looking at Ene to gauge his emotions. Claire's looked at her with a raised brow. "Why would we mind! Evelyn is part of the family"

Enc, however, frowned, his fork clattering against his plate as he set it down. "You shouldn't have bothered inviting her. She's been keeping her

an outsider. I see no reason she should be here."

distance,

acting like

Claire thot him a reproachful look "Enc, don't talk like that. She's still our daughter"

When was the last time she acted like it" Eric asked, annoyed,

Pleased with his reaction, Sandra decided to push further. "I also heard from a friend at Empowered that Evelyn returned to take over the role of editor-in-chief at Empowered. I asked her when she plans to return to the house and come back to the company, but she seemed hesitant.

Claire's glare was sharp enough to cut through steel "Sandra, keep quiet, will you? If you're not going to help the situation, don't make it any worse than it is with your senseless words," She scolded, wondering how Sandra could be so tactless as to keep talking like that when she knew the state of things between Evelyn and her father,

Eric's expression darkened. "Why are you scolding her? She has done nothing wrong. And Evelyn can do whatever she wants. She can stay at Empowered forever, for all 1 care"

The tension at the table was thigh as a curtain, and Sandra reveled in it. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to worsen things," Sandra said, pressing her lips together.

"Don't be. You did nothing wrong dear. Eric assured her.This belongs © NôvelDra/ma.Org.

They all returned their attention to their meal and are in silence until Sandra's phone beeped, breaking the silence

She glanced at the screen and a smile crept across her face when she sa

saw a text message from Michael

11:26 AM

[Hey, sexy, I think we've got something. If you can, come spend the night so you can listen to it too]

Su soon! She mused excitedly knowing that he was referring to a recorded conversation between Evelyn and Derek.

[I'll be there in thirty minutes. She texted back before looking up.

"Oh oh. I forgot all about my plans for tonight. I'm going for a sleepover at a friend's place. I'll head to the office from there tomorrow," she said as she pushed away from the table. ry I can't do the dishes tonight, Mom. I have to leave now," she said and Claire nodded.

"I'm sorry

"Alright, dear. Be careful."

Sandra kissed her mother's cheek and gave Erie a brief hug before going in to change her clothes and heading out,

As she drove to Michael's place, her mind buzzed with anticipation. She was certain that whatever Michael had found was bound to be interesting.

When she arrived, Michael was waiting for her at the door and he greeted her with a kiss before leading her inside.

"You won't believe it. We've got something HUGE, he said excitedly guiding her to the living room where his laptop was set up.

Sandra sat down, her excitement barely contained. "What did you find?"

Michael played the recording, and as Sandra listened, her eyes widened at first, and then a wicked smile spread across her face as she met Michael's gize

"Did you know about it? I mean him being a replacement for your dead cousin?" Sandra asked and Michael shook his head.

"I knew he was adopted but I never knew he was a replacement, and I definitely didn't know he felt this way or that this was the reason he didn't agree to show his face in public, Michael said with a chuckle. "I'm glad that he knows he is a nobody and he knows his place," Michael said with a smirk.

"This is perfect," Sandra said, her eyes gleaming with satisfaction. "We've got her right where we want her."

Michael nodded, his expression mirroring her own. "Now we just need to figure out h

out how to proceed and make sure it's never traced back to us.

I wonder why he chose Evelyn for this. Do you think maybe he likes her?" Sandra said thoughtfully.

"Does that matter? It won't matter by the time we are done," Michael said and Sandra grinned. "You're right," Sandra said as she leaned back in her seat, feeling a surge of triumph.

With this, she was well on her way to getting what she wanted. By the time they were done with Evelyn, even Empowered Magazine wouldn't want her anymore.