The Billionaire’s Unexpected Proposal (Evelyn and Derek) novel Chapter 128

Chapter 128
Michael stormed into Derek's office, his usually composed face twisted in frustration as he approached the desk where Derek sat, casually glancing up from his laptop.
Derek's calm expression didn't change even though he knew
Michael exactly what Michael was in his office to do.
Derek leaned back in his chair, "Mike, l've told you before. You have to knock when you come into my office. You can't just barge into my office this way. I can't keep telling you this. What if I was in a meeting or something?" Derek scolded.
"I'm sorry, Derek. I confirmed with your secretary before coming in.
I just needed to talk to you before I lose my mind," Michael said, resisting the urge to scowl at Derek since keeping up his act was more important at the moment than Derek's stupidity.
"Want to sit?" Derek asked, gesturing for Michael to sit. "What is the problem?" He asked as he picked up his phone casually and placed it on record.
He knew Michael was about to spin a story, probably some elaborate excuse. He had been waiting for this all morning. He and Evelyn had agreed to always record their conversations with Michael and Sandra more for their entertainment than for evidence because the duo were dim-witted clowns.
Oblivious to what Derek was doing, Michael threw himself into the chair, rubbing his temples in frustration. "I can't believe how stupid I am," he muttered through clenched teeth. "I'm so mad at myself that I could die right now."
Derek raised an eyebrow, maintaining his calm demeanor. "How can you say such a thing about yourself? What did you do? Did something happen?" Derek asked, folding his hands on the desk in front of him, his voice even and patient.
Michael exhaled sharply, running a hand through his hair.
"Yesterday, I got a call from Evelyn."
Derek widened his eyes, feigning surprise. "Evelyn? Why would she call you?"
"That's what I thought!" Michael said, shaking his head. "I was just as shocked. She asked if we could meet and said she wanted to talk things over."
Derek's expression remained neutral, but inwardly, he was struggling not to snort. He doubted that Evelyn even had Michael's number, but he knew Michael was playing a part in whatever this was, and he needed to play along. "And you agreed to meet her?" Derek asked incredulously.
"At first, I wasn't going to. I mean, after all that happened, why would I?" Michael shifted uncomfortably in his seat. "But then... I guess curiosity got the better of me. I wanted to know why she really called off our wedding. I needed closure."
Derek nodded slowly, pretending to follow along. "That makes sense. I can see why you'd want that."
Michael continued, his voice dropping lower as if he were sharing a dark secret. "She sent me a suite number, not a restaurant or café. That should've been a red flag, but I wasn't suspicious. I thought maybe she lived there or something, so I didn't make a big deal out of it."
Derek kept his face calm, but inside, he was piecing together the story Michael was trying to sell him. "So, you went?"
"Yeah," Michael muttered, looking embarrassed. "When I got there, we talked for a while, and she apologized for everything and for cheating on me. She told me a lot of stuff, and I forgave her..."
"Did you record all she said?" Derek asked, and Michael frowned.
"No, I didn't. Why would I think of doing that? Maybe I should have.
I guess I was still thinking of her as the innocent Evelyn I once loved. This is why I didn't think anything of it when she offered me a drink afterward. But the next thing I know, I wake up the next morning- this morning- with Sandra beside me... in bed," he said in disbelief.
Derek's mouth twitched, holding back the urge to smile. So, this was the angle Michael was going for. He managed to keep his voice steady. "Sandra? In bed with you? How? Do you think Evelyn set this up?"
Michael nodded, his face a mix of anger and disbelief. "I think she's trying to blackmail us, make it look like Sandra and I are having an affair."
Derek leaned forward slightly, acting horrified. "Evelyn? Doing something like that? That's... unbelievable."
"I know, right?" Michael rubbed his forehead again, clearly playing the victim. "The Evelyn I was engaged to was nothing like this. She was so sweet, so pure. Now... I don't know. It's like she's turned into someone else. She's-she's evil."
Derek sat back, taking in Michael's words. He couldn't help but wonder if he would not have fallen for this bullshit had he not known Evelyn personally.
"Why do you think she did something like that? I mean, what is the purpose?" Derek asked, and Michael shrugged.
"I told you what she told Sandra. I think she wants everyone to think she ended things with me because I was having an affair with Sandra. I'm pretty sure that is her plan. She might likely send pictures to you or something. She wants to have you for herself like she threatened Sandra"" Michael said with a scowl.
He had thought about it, and he knew that Evelyn was most likely to send the pictures to Derek and not his aunt. His aunt, unlike Derek, would never give Evelyn an audience.
"I see. So, what do you plan to do? Are you going to have her arrested or... sue her?" Derek asked since that was the reasonable course of action to follow if something like that truly happened.
The suggestion made Michael freeze for a second, his eyes widening. He quickly shook his head. "No, no. I don't want to take it that far."
Derek's voice remained calm, but he pressed on, pushing Michael into a corner. "Why not? Evelyn crossed a line. She can't just get away with something like this. She shouldn't!"
Michael shook his head, "I just don't want to drag this out. It's embarrassing enough that I fell into her trap."
Derek scoffed inwardly, "Have you told my Mom or yours about this?" Derek asked, eyeing him with disapproval.
Michael shifted in his seat, clearly uncomfortable now. "I'm not telling them. You know they would be furious that I even agreed to meet with Evelyn in the first place. And they will blow the whole thing out of proportion and might arrest her. I don't want that. I just want it to go away quietly."
Derek tilted his head, keeping his tone casual but insistent. "So, you came to me to vent because you expected me to just sit back and allow you not to do anything about this? If you don't do anything, how will this end? I think we should definitely get her arrested. If you don't do it, I will."
Derek knew exactly what game Michael and Sandra were playing, and he had no intention of letting them win.
Michael blinked, caught off guard by Derek's sudden determination. He did not expect such a reaction since he knew Derek liked Evelyn.
He frowned, suspicion creeping into his features. "Why are you pushing this so hard? Do you have something against Evelyn?"
Derek waved a hand dismissively, his face calm. "Nothing against her. I just think she's gone too far this time."
Michael looked even more confused. "I thought you cared about Evelyn. Why are you being so... harsh?"
Derek shrugged. "I did care about her, but that doesn't mean I'll stand by and let her ruin lives. Besides, I told you my focus is on Sandra now. As long as Sandra is involved in this, I should take action."
Michael shook his head. "The truth is that I still love Evelyn. I'd Derek chuckled, "We're all good. What's up with you?"
"I was thinking of stopping by the office later. You free?" Ethan asked curiously.
Derek thought for a moment. "I've got a busy day, but we can meet after work hours at our usual spot. How's the wife hunt going?"
Ethan laughed. "You won't believe it, but I think I've found my perfect match. I'll tell you all about her when we meet."
Derek chuckled. "Looking forward to hearing about it."
As they were wrapping up the call, Derek's phone buzzed again.
"My dad's calling. Let's catch up later, okay?"
"Sure thing," Ethan replied, and they hung up.
Derek answered his father's call. "Hey, Dad. What's up?"
His father's voice was cheerful. "I was thinking about when you're bringing my granddaughter to see me."
Derek chuckled. "No hello to me? No how you're doing? Don't tell me you care more about your granddaughter now."
"As a matter of fact, I do. I had a dream about her last night," his father said with a chuckle.
"You've not even met her yet, and you're dreaming about her already?" Derek asked, amused by his father's enthusiasm for meeting Samantha since he had never thought that having grandkids was such a big deal to him.
"That's my problem, not yours. When am I seeing her? Or do I have to go find her myself?" He asked, and Derek laughed.
"Don't worry. I already talked with Evelyn. I'm taking her on tomorrow. We can meet somewhere."
"Why meet somewhere?" his father asked. "Just bring her over to the house."
"But Mom..."
"Don't worry about your Mom. She doesn't need to know Sam is your daughter yet. Let her naturally fall in love with the kid before we say anything to her. That way, it would be harder for her to protest."
Derek considered it for a moment, then nodded. "That's actually a good idea. I'll do that."