The Billionaire’s Unexpected Proposal (Evelyn and Derek)

Chapter 159

As Derek went to answer the door, Claire wiped away the last of her tears, trying to compose herself, and Eric squeezed her hand gently. Derek opened the door to see his parents standing with calm but concerned expressions. The moment they stepped inside,

Rebecca frowned when her gaze fell on Claire's tear-streaked face and she noticed Eric's arms were around her like he was consoling her. "What's wrong?" she asked immediately, her voice soft but laced with worry. "Is everything okay?"

Derek's father followed his wife's gaze, and his brows pulled together as he turned to Derek. "Are Evelyn and Samantha alright?

And why the impromptu invitation?" His tone was filled with a mix of concern and curiosity.

orced a reassuring smile, though it barely masked the tension he felt. "Everyone is fine, Dad. I just need to talk to you both about something important." Rebecca nodded, but her eyes softened. "I'd like to see Samantha first. Is she around?" she asked, her motherly instinct kicking in.

Derek forced Derek

Derek shook his head gently. "Let's talk first. You can see Samantha after we are done. This is important." His voice was calm, but he could see the shift in his mother's expression. She was no fool; she knew something serious was going on. As they walked further into the living room, Derek's parents exchanged polite greetings with Claire and Eric. They could sense the heaviness in the air but didn't press further.

Upstairs, Evelyn had heard the doorbell and quickly made her way down. She stepped into the living room, dressed in comfortable but decent clothes, her hair tied back neatly. Her gaze immediately fell on Derek's parents, and she took a deep breath.

Derek's face lit up when he saw her, and he moved to her side.ConTEent bel0ngs to Nôv(e)lD/rama(.)Org .

"Mom, Dad, this is Evelyn," he said, his tone filled with warmth and pride. "She's Samantha's mother and the woman I plan to marry." Rebecca raised an eyebrow, exchanging a look with Derek's father.

we already knew that" his father said with a small chuckle. "No need for the whole introduction." His eyes then softened as he turned to Evelyn. "You're as beautiful as Derek said." He extended his hand toward her. "I'm sorry for all the trouble we've caused you, and I want to thank you for for raising Samantha so well." Evelyn

smiled shyly as she shook his hand, feeling a warmth from his words. "Thank you, sir. It's really nice to meet you finally," she said, her voice gentle but sincere. "And there's no need to apologize. It's all in the past now," she assured him softly. Evelyn glanced at her her parents, and when she saw her mother's sad eyes, she drowned as she went to sit close to her to find out what was wrong. "Is there a problem?" Evelyn asked, looking from her mother to Derek, her brows furrowing.

screen.

"Yes, Derek, what is all this about?" His father asked as they all sat down, his gaze sharpening with curiosity. Derek took out his phone, his hand steady as he tapped the the moment settling in the room like a fog. He pressed play, and Sandra's voice filled the space, cold and calculated, as she told Michael that she wanted them to get rid of Evelyn. I quietly, the weight of

"I want you all to hear this," Derek said The room froze. Evelyn's parents sat stiffly, their faces paling.

Rebecca's hand I flew to her chest, and Der Derek's k's father leaned forward, his jaw tight. Evelyn stared at the phone, her breath catching in her throat. Although she had listened to it before, it still had the same effect on her as it did the first time she heard it. Before a Before anyone could react, Derek played the second recording that he had received earlier of Sandra talking to the hitman to get rid of Evelyn the next day.

Evelyn gasped, her hand flying to her mouth in horror. Rebecca visibly shuddered, her skin prickling with goosebumps, while Derek's father's fists clenched tightly on the armrests of the chair.

"I called you all here so that we can figure out what to do together.

I believe it's time to take action," Derek said while Evelyn's heart pounded wildly in her chest as her mind raced.

"When... when was that recorded?" she stammered. "I saw Sandra earlier today at the store."

Derek's eyes sharpened as he turned to her. "Did you argue? Did anything happen between you two to provoke her?"

Evelyn shook her head, still trying to process the gravity of what she had just heard. "No, we ignored each other... but she spoke to Rayna."

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Derek studied her closely, watching her as she pieced it all together. He could see the gears turning in her mind, and before he could say anything, his mother spoke up, her voice tinged with disbelief.

"I can't believe I've been such a terrible judge of character. How did I ever think this... this animal was a decent person?" Rebecca's voice was quiet, almost as if speaking louder would shatter the already fragile reality. husband placed a hand on her arm, silently urging her to watch what she said since Sandra's parents were in the room with them.

Her

Ignoring him, Derek's mother let out a huff of frustration. "Michael is an absolute fool for getting involved with someone like her." She shook her head, her lips pressed tightly together. "I wish he could hear what she's planning. I wish he'd see her for what she is." Derek's father sat up straighter, his Sandra is up to? Show him these recordings, he suggested his tone firm.

"What if we let Michael know what ce thoughtful as he looked at Derek. "I have a suggestion," he said, his voice cutting through the tense silence. Everyone turned to look at him, curiosity piqued.

Derek frowned, shaking his head. "I don't want Michael to have a chance to escape or try to cover his tracks. Besides, he could decide to kill her, too," he replied, glancing at his father.

Derek's attention shifted to Evelyn, his eyes searching her face.

"Why are you so quiet, Eve Eve?" he he asked softly, trying to gauge her thoughts.

Evelyn swallowed, her

her gaze distant. "I'm just trying to figure out what to do with Sandra. I can't let this continue," she said quietly, her tone cold and focused. you come up with a plan?" I Derek asked, and and she nodded.

But I think we should involve the police now." Her voice was calm but filled with a quiet determination.

Everyone turned to look at

her

their rexpressions puzzled. "What do you mean? I thought we agreed that because the evidence was obtained illegally, it's inadmissible in court," Derek asked, his brows furrowed in confusion. Evelyn exhaled slowly, ready to lay it all out, but

Claire took a deep breath, "I should be the , and she wasn't sure how she would feel if Samantha was behaving like Sandra.

it all out, but before doing that, she turned to her parents. "Mom, I'm sorry it has come to this. But you understand I can't just sit back and do nothing when Sandra is after my life, right?" She said this because she could guess how Claire might be feeling since she was a mother herself, one apologizing, not y t you. I have no idea why Sandra is doing all of this." "She told me," Evelyn said, and then went on to tell them what Sandra had said. and Claire exchanged a look, and Claire sighed, "So, it's our fault..."

"No, it's not. It's not anyone's fault. I know I wasn't there, and I'm probably not in a position to say this, but she could have turned out better. She chose not to. So, don't blame yourself for it," she said, and Derek looked at Claire. "Earlier, you were saying something about Sandra's father," he reminded her.

"There's e's nothing there. It's exactly as she told you," Eric said, not wanting Claire to talk about her past any more than was necessary.

"So.

Evelyn, what is your plan?" Derek's father asked, wanting them to get right to it.

Evelyn took a deep breath and met Derek's gaze. "The best way to catch Sandra is to let her go ahead with her plan. We need to let her think she is winning so she doesn't suspect anything. I want to be kidnapped and killed just as Sandra wants..." Derek's eyes widened in shock. "There's no way I'm risking your life just to catch her," he cut in, his voice rising with emotion, while everyone else looked at her like she had lost her mind.

Evelyn reached out and took his hand, her eyes calm. "Relax, Derek. You don't care about my life more than I do. The only way to protect Samantha and me is to let Sandra believe she's succeeding. Trust me, this is the only way to catch her red-handed." The room fell into a heavy silence as Derek stared at her, torn between fear and trust. Finally, he nodded. "Alright," he said softly. "What's your plan?"