Billionaire’s

Derek paced around his suite, his mind racing with thoughts of Evelyn, his mother’s stubbornness, and Michael’s underhanded tactics

Remembering that he had yet to call Evelyn to find out where she was and apologize for what happened, Derek picked up his phone and dialed Evelyn’s number.

The line rang twice before she picked up Derek, her voice came through, soft but tinged with concern.

“Eve, Derek paused, running a hand through his hair. “Are you alright! Where are you now? I’m very sorry for what happened earlier.”

There was a brief silence on the other end, and then Evelyn let out a deep sigh. Tm fine. I don’t think you’re in a position to worry about me right now. Are you okay! I feel like all I’ve done is cause trouble between you and your Mom. I should never have-

“Don’t apologize,” Derek cut in his tone gentle but firm. “You didn’t do anything wrong. It was only a matter of time before I had that talk with her.”

wanted to

“I don’t know maybe I acted rashly, Evelyn said, the guile evident in her voice. “Maybe I shouldn’t have taken Sandra’s call. I just stand up for myself, but now it’s going to complicate everything. How are you going to find out anything from her now?” She asked, her voice more composed now.

Derek smiled faintly, though it didn’t quite reach his eyes. I’m glad you took the call. I loved hearing you talk to her that way. And if anything, we both know that Sandra will most likely be more interested in me now. She’ll want me even more, thinking there’s competition. Don’t worry about

Evelyn sighed, and then Evelyn’s voice returned softer, more vulnerable. “I just didn’t want to make things harder for you” Ccontent © exclusive by Nô/vel(D)ra/ma.Org.

“Trust me when I say it’s alright, Eve, Derek said, his voice lowering as his thoughts shifted back to their earlier conversation. “I meant everything i uid earlier. I hope you won’t pull back again. I’ve got you”

There was a pause, and then Evelyn spoke again with a hint of relief in her breath. “Sandra was in my office earlier.

“What? She was where? What did she say? I ho

I hope she didn’t cause any trouble for you!” He asked, totally surprised.

“Don’t worry. I handled it Evelyn said quickly, sensing his concern. “She came to intimidate me. She wanted me to back off because you were hers. But I think I threw her off. She didn’t expect me to push back.” Evelyn said with a small sotile.

Derek exhaled slowly, letting the tension ease from his shoulders. “Well, I like that Keep pushing back. I hope you told her I’m not hers?” Derek asked, and Evelyn grinned.

“I told her you were mine,” she said, and Derek chuckled

“I wish I were there to hear you say that he said, and Evelyn laughed softly.

“I’ve decided I’m going to talk to my parents tomorrow and tell them everything she said, her tone becoming serious again

“That’s a good idea. It’s about time you told them. They need to know, I really don’t get why you kept it from them in the first place, Derek said, and then Evelyn bit her lower lip.

“There’s something else I need to tell you.” Evelyn continued, her voice hesitant. “Can we meet? I don’t think it’s something I should say over the phone.”

Derek’s brows pulled together when he remembered that she had wanted to say something earlier before his mother interrupted them. “Let’s talk over dinner, then Will you have dinner with me

Before she could respond, Derek’s phone beeped with an incoming call. He glanced at the screen and saw his father’s name flash across it. His stomach twisted. He knew why his father was calling. He could tell his mother had reported him

“Evelyn, I have to go,” he said, trying to keep the tension from his voice. “My father’s calling. I’ll call y

I you back”

“Okay Be careful,” Evelyn replied, her voice laced with worry.

Drick ended the call and immediately switched over to his father’s line. “Dad?

“Derek,” has father’s voice was calm, but there was a weight to it that Derek didn’t miss. “I need you to come home immediately

“I’ll be there soon, Derek replied, already grabbing his keys and heading for the door. He knew his mother had told his Eather everything The drive to his parents‘ house feh lon

longer than usual, but he tried to stay calm and prepare himself for the impending conversation with his father, hoped he could make him see trasou

By the time he pulled into the live way, his mind was racing again. His father wasn’t easily swayed, but Derek ht and understand the truth

As soon as Derek walked into the house, he headed straight for the study, where he knew his father would be waiting. The door was slightly ajar, and he knockeit lightly before stepping inside.

“Su down,” his father said, gesturing to the chair in front of the large mahogany desk. The room, filled with the scent of old books and polished wood, felt like a courtroom awaiting a verdict.

Derek sat, his eyes meeting his father’s with quiet determination.

“I’m sure you know why 1 invited you over in the middle of a work day. What happened with your mother?” his father asked, his tone measured, though Derek could sense the curiosity and concern beneath it,

Derek took a deep breath, deciding to go straight to the heart of the matter. “Dad, before I answer that, I need to ask you something. Who do you int more–ne or Michael?”

His father blinked, clearly taken aback “What kind of question is that? Of course, I trust you most. You’re my son,” he said without hesitation.

Derek nodded, pleased with the response. “In that case, you need to know something and I need you to keep it between us for now,” Derek said, his voke steady.

Ath

His father raised a brow but said nothing as he watched Derek pull out his phone. Derek brought up the CCTV footage he had saved, and with a few taps.be handed the phone to his father. The screen displayed Michael sneaking into his office to remove the bug.

His father’s face paled as he watched the video. Is this what I think it is?” He asked when he was done, and Derek nodded grimly.

“Michael planned a listening device in my office and then tried to remove it when I wasn’t there. He’s been playing us all along, and he’s the one behind the scandal. He deliberately made it look like Evelyn was responsible for it”

His father’s hand tightened around the phone. “Why would be do something like that? When did you find out?” His father asked, and Derek sighed.

“I found out about it last week

“Why didn’t you show this to us earlier Especially to your mother? Or have you shown her?” He asked, and Derek shook his head.

“Not yet. I’m worried because she’d find a way to justify it. You know how she is about Michael. She’s too blind where Michael is concerned, Derek said, his voice tight with frustration.

His father stared at the footage again, then looked up at Derek, his expression grave. “Still, this shows that Michael is guilty and accused someone the falsely his father insisted

“Yes, but I need to get more evidence to show her and make her understand that Michael isn’t the person she thinks he is. He’s manipulating this whole situation, and Sandra is in on it

“Sandra? The girl your mother wants you to marry?” His father asked, and Derek nodded.

“Evelyn told me everything today. She told me what truly happened and why she called off the wedding. Derek said, and his father raised a brow. “You seem to trust this Evelyn girl a lot, his father observed.

“Yes, I do. She’s not just some random girl I fell for Dad. I’ve been searching for her for the past six years. Although I didn’t know she was Michael’s fance then, I was the one with her on the night before their wedding” Derek revealed

“Your How?” His father asked, taken aback by that piece of information.

“Remember I got into an accident shortly after I arrived?” He asked, and his father nodded.

“Yeah. You talked about some lady

ly who was weeping” his father said, and Derek nodded.

“That lady was Evelyn. And she was weeping because she saw Michael having sex with Sandra that day,” Derek said, and his father looked at him in disbelief

“Michael and Sandra! And yet he wants y

you to marry her! What’s his endgame?” Hi! father asked, and Derek shook his head

“I’m not sure, Bui judging by what Evelyn told me, Michael had been with her for her inheritance, and Sandra was on to it. So, it’s possible they are doing the same to me. I’m still trying to figure out what Michael and Sandra are really after. Something’s not right here.” Derek admitted

His father sighed deeply. “So, what now? What do you want me to do?

“For the time being. I’m acting like I don’t know anything while gathering evidence. But I don’t intend to lose Evelyn in the process. Yst can’t let Mom push her out of my life.”

Ha father sat back, rubbing his chin thoughtfully. “Maybe you should pretend to stay away Sandra. You can also take a page from Michael’s book and bug their phones. That should expedite the process of exposing them”

y from Evelyn for a while. Focus on exposing Mcharland

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Derek’s eyes widened slightly at the suggestion. “Why didn’t I think of that?”

His father gave a slight, approving nod. “Because you’re too worried about other things. Don’t worry, Derek. I’ll help however I can. Just be careful, Derek Michael’s playing a dangerous game, and we don’t know how far he’s willing to go. And don’t let your Mom know that I have your back in

tha”

Derek nodded, determination hardening in his chest. “I’ll get someone to hack their phones. We’ll get to the bottom of this.”

His father’s gaze softened slightly. “Whatever happens, son. I’m on your side.