Ch. 161..170

Chapter 161

Despite the fact that his stomach was a tight knot of anticipation and anxiety, Derek was a picture of calm and composure as he sat with his parents in their living room the following day.

He glanced at the clock, counting down the minutes until Michael would arrive. They were waiting for him so they could tell him about Sandra's plan, as they had agreed the previous evening.

As Derek sat there, his thoughts raced with plans for his meeting with Sandras hitman. Since they had cloned her SIM, getting his number had been easy, and they had sent a text to him using the SIM and asked to meet at a discreet location by noon.

He needed to finish up with Michael quickly so he could meet the hitman at noon since it was almost 10 a.m. already.

His thoughts were interrupted, and he exchanged a glance with both his parents when they received an alert from the monitor at the gate that a car was entering the premises.

'This is it, Derek thought as he readied his mind to face Michael.

Neither of them made any move to get the door since Michael was family and had unrestricted access to the house. But that was going to change in a couple of minutes.

Outside the house, as Michael parked his car, his gaze fell on Derek's car, and he couldn't help wondering why Derek was also there that morning.

Although Derek had every right to be there, he couldn't shake off the feeling that Derek's presence had something to do with the reason his aunt had asked him to join them for breakfast.

Perhaps they wanted to tell him about Derek's plan to propose to Sandra, he thought, and then smiled with approval. But then, his smile faltered when he recalled Sandra's suggestion of getting rid of Evelyn before then.

Could he still let Derek marry Sandra, or should he probably do something and stop it all? Sandra had become too ambitious and vicious for his liking, and he wasn't sure he could trust her to uphold her end of the deal after marriage to Derek.

He sighed deeply and shoved the thoughts aside, deciding to think about it more deeply later. He plastered a smile on his face as he opened the door and walked into the house.

He smiled broadly when he saw them all in the living room, and he greeted Derek's parents politely before turning to Derek

"Hey, man. What's up?" he greeted, but neither Derek nor his parents responded to the greeting.

There was no reason for them to put up a show anymore when they had invited him over to let him know that they knew all he was up to.

"Sit down, Michael," Derek's mother said in an authoritative tone that took Michael aback.

His aunt and uncle were always happy to see him, and they never spoke with him in such a tone. What could be wrong, he mused as he took the seat she gestured at.

For some reason, he felt like he was sitting on a hot seat, and all three pairs of eyes settled on him and followed his movement.

"Is there a problem, aunt? Did I do something wrong?" He asked, looking from Derek to his aunt since he knew that she favored him like a son.

"Why would you ask that? Did you do something wrong?" Derek's father asked, and Michael laughed awkwardly and shook his head.

"No, I didn't. It's just that no one is smiling. The atmosphere here seems tense. Did something happen?" Michael asked, and Rebecca exchanged a glance with her husband and then Derek.

When they both gave her a nod, she leaned forward in her seat,

"How well do you know Sandra?" she asked, and Michael's heart skipped a beat at the mention of Sandra's name.

He wondered why his aunt was suddenly asking him about how well he knew Sandra. Did Sandra probably do or say something?

Or was his aunt asking because of the proposal plan? Or was it in any way related to the hotel incident? Did somebody see Sandra going in or leaving his house? Michaels mind raced with questions.

Swallowing past the lump in his throat, he cleared his throat.

"We've been friends for years. So, I guess I know her well enough," he said, trying hard to hide his anxiety. Derek leaned in his expression grave. "Really? Are you sure about that?" he asked, holding Michael's gaze.

Why was Derek asking if he was sure? What was going on?

Unease washed over him, but he nodded. Just as he opened his mouth to respond, Derek's father spoke before he could say anything more.

"Michael, there's something we want you to listen to since you're so sure you know Sandra so well," he said, and Michael's heart dropped.

Did Evelyn make another recording of Sandra? Was it something very incriminating that would get him in trouble?

"What is it? Did Sandra do something wrong?" Michael's stomach churned as he braced himself for whatever they wanted him to listen to. Though he didn't know what it was, he was certain it wouldn't be good.

If it were, they wouldn't have started by asking him how well he knew Sandra. He watched anxiously as Derek pulled out a phone from his pocket and tapped on the screen.

The room fell silent as the recording of Sandra ordering the hitmen to get rid of him and Evelyn played.

Michael's heart dropped into his stomach, a cold rush of fear flooding his veins as he listened. The world around him blurred, and he struggled to keep his expression neutral. Sandra wanted to get rid of him, too? Just how evil could she be?

He mused before glancing at Derek, "What's going on? Is that Sandra's voice? Why does she want to get rid of me? Why would she want to hurt her sister? How did you even get that?" Michael asked, his head spinning as he struggled to make sense of what he had just heard. "Really, Mike? You don't know why she wants to kill you?" Derek's mother asked, and Michael glanced at her and then at her husband before returning his gaze to Derek.

Something about the way they were all staring at him made him feel like they had figured everything out already. Michael felt the walls closing in on him as beads of sweat formed on his forehead and back despite the cool temperature of the room. How did they get the recording of the conversation? Was it through the Hitman's phone? Or was it through Sandra's phone? If it was through Sandra's phone, when did they start monitoring her?

And why? Did that mean they probably had a recording of his conversations with her?

These questions swirled in his head as he tried to look for a perfect excuse for Sandra to possibly want to kill him.

"We don't have all day, Mike, Derek snapped impatiently.

Michael took a deep breath, deciding that this was his chance to put everything on Sandra. "I'm sorry for keeping this from you and not telling you sooner. I swear I was going to tell you, but I didn't know how to go about it. Sandra tried to seduce me..." "For God's sake, Michael! Cut the act already!" Derek's voice erupted, anger spilling over. "We know everything!"

 

Chapter 162

The tension in the room was almost tangible, the air thick with accusation and unease. Michael's heart thudded heavily in his

chest; each beat reminded him that he needed to maintain his composure and hold onto his last shreds of control. But doubt clawed at his mind. He couldn't help but wonder how much they really knew, and the uncertainty gnawed at him. Was it possible that they knew everything? What exactly was Derek referring to as everything? Did Evelyn tell him about her suspicions regarding him and Sandra? Did she tell them about Sandra drugging her? Michael mused, wondering how to save himself from the sinking ship of his ambition. Desperately, he adopted a facade of confusion, forcing his face into a mask of disbelief. "What are you talking about?" he managed, his voice laced with incredulity, though there was a tremor he couldn't entirely suppress.

Derek ignored the question because he didn't have the desire or the time to waste entertaining such a foolish question. Unmoved by Michael's feigned ignorance, Derek picked up his phone and scrolled through it until he found the footage of Michael in his office. He then picked up the television controller and focused on connecting the phone to the television without so much as a glance in Michael's direction.

Derek decided to show that particular video to Michael since it would be the perfect response that Michael needed to know that they were on to him. He didn't have the time to go back and forth with words.

As Derek busied himself with the setup, Michael turned to Rebecca, his eyes searching her face, hoping for some sign of leniency, some softening in her gaze that would show he wasn't entirely doomed.

"Aunt... what

How

what

"Shut your mouth, Michael!" Her voice, cold and sharp., sliced through his words. Rising from her seat, Rebecca's glare burned into him with a fury he had never seen before, her chest heaving as though she were barely able to contain her rage. dare you call me your aunt? How dare you look me in the eye and lie to me so brazenly for so long?" she demanded, her voice breaking with betrayal. "I treated you like my own son. I trusted you, believed in you- and this is how you repay me?" Rebecca yelled, ignoring her husband, who was trying to calm her down. Seeing his aunt's outburst and hearing the venom in her words drained the color from Michael's face. Panic clawed at his chest, and he shifted uncomfortably, resisting the urge to bolt.

He tried to make sense of it all, his mind scrambling. How much could they know to make her so upset? Did they know about his relationship with Sandra? Or did they find out he was behind the scandal of Derek's adoption? His breathing grew shallow as he realized his lies might be unraveling right before him. Then, as if to answer his silent question, the television screen flickered to life. Michael felt his heart plummet as he watched himself on the screen, moving about Derek's office, reaching under the table, and removing the bug he had planted there. The horror dawned slowly like i like ice creeping through his veins. "This i is a a misunderstanding.." he

I

he stammered, but his words were cut off by a stinging slap to his cheek, delivered with all the force of Rebecca's contempt.

"One more lie, a business just so that you can set Evelyn up? How could you be so callous?" Her voice trembled, the pain in her words evident.

I swear, Michael- I will forget you're my nephew and have you arrested right here, right now." Her voice was a low growl, her eyes ablaze with a mix of anger and disappointment. "How dare you exploit our family for your twisted games? How dare you expose my family "Aunt, it's not what you think," he murmured, clutching his throbbing cheek, his voice faltering. He was trapped, struggling for words, any words that might salvage his dignity—or his freedom. "Not what I think?" she repeated, her voice rising in pitch as she slapped his other cheek. "What is not what I think? Is it the fact that you leaked our family's private matters to the public, or the fact that you've been in a relationship with Sandra for all these years yet had the guts to convince me that she would be a good fit for Derek, just so you both could do to Derek as you planned to do to Evelyn?" Her voice cracked with rage as she looked him over with pure disgust while Derek and his father stood aside and watched her. Michael's mind spun, struggling to process everything she said. knew everything. how? How did t

I

How know what he had do to Evelyn?

His gaze flicked to Derek. When did he plant the camera in his office? Did that mean the conversation between Sandra and the hitman was from Sandra's phone? Did they bug his phone, too?

How long had Derek been suspicious? Had he known about his relationship with Sandra from the beginning. Had Derek been playing along this whole time and leading Sandra on when he knew the truth? Had he only been waiting for the right time to strike? A wave of nausea rolled through him as he realized how much of his plan lay exposed.

Derek's voice cut through his thoughts. "Are you going to deny all of that, too, Michael?" His tone was laced with barely controlled fury, as though he were daring Michael to lie again so that he'd have an excuse to unleash the full extent of his rage.

Michael's I's heart raced as he stood there with his head drooped in shame. He couldn't bear to look at any of them.

"We trusted you with everything, Michael" Derek's father said, his voice quieter but no less condemning. "We treated you like family, gave you opportunities, put faith in you. And you betrayed us." His gaze was cold, contrasting the warmth Michael once found in his uncle's eyes. "And to think you even went as far as to embezzle money from the company.. A A chill washed hed

over Michael, and his mouth dropped open. They knew that, too. He could barely keep himself upright, the guilt, the shame- everything-bubbling up inside him. Without another thought, he fell to his knees. Derek's father shook his head, his lips curled Whispered, his voice barely audible, his head bowed.

"I didn't mean

of

he

in disgust. "Sorry?

Are you sorry for trying to manipulate my wife into forcing Derek to marry your mistress? Or is it for lying against Evelyn all these years? Which part, exactly, are you sorry for, Michael?"

"Perhaps he's sorry for planning to impregnate Sandra and make me father his child. Or maybe he's sorry for stealing from the company. I'm sure he didn't mean it. Or he's just sorry for getting caught. Which is it, Michael?" Derek asked harshly. Michael opened his mouth to answer, but the words wouldn't come. His mind was blank, drowning in the weight of his own betrayal. Every crime and misdeed hung in the room as though the walls themselves had become witnesses to his disgrace. "I'm sorry," he whispered as he looked up, meeting Rebecca's steely gaze, a silent plea for forgiveness in his eyes. But her expression made it clear that forgiveness was beyond reach.

"Your apologies mean nothing now," Derek's father declared, his tone final, unyielding. "The only reason you're here is because we found out Sandra plans to dispose of you. If Evelyn wasn't also her target and it was up to me, I'd let Sandra have her way. Frankly, someone like you deserves to be stabbed in the back this way.

You're only lucky your aunt had a say."

"I know nothing I say would make up for everything I have done.

I'm sorry, aunt. I don't know what came over me. I'm sorry, Uncle.

Please forgive me. Derek, I'm sorry," Michael said, his face falling to the ground

"Greed and foolishness is what came over you," Rebecca sneered.

"Make no mistake, Michael, you're going to pay for your crimes. I don't care that you're my wife's nephew. You stole from the company, and you will be made an example of," Derek's father said, and Derek nodded in agreement.

"We called you here to give you a chance to make sure you don't go down alone. Are you willing to play along so we can get that little Devil put away before she hurts Evelyn, or would you rather go to jail alone?" Derek asked in a harsh tone. "Why do you care about Evelyn? She has someone else.."

"That is not your concern," Derek said coldly.

As much as Derek was tempted to tell Michael now that he was the one who had been with Evelyn that night six years ago and that he was the father of Evelyn's child, he didn't trust Michael enough to release such information. He wasn't going to take any risk with Samantha. amantha. giving you one chance, Michael," he repeated, his eyes blazing. "One chance to fix the problem your greed has caused us." Although stay after had killing her wasn't worth it.

He looked at his aunt, wanting to ask if they would forgive him and not get him arrested if he played along to help them capture Sandra, but one look at her face and he could tell that she would most likely kill him with her bare hands if he dared to voice that out. Michael knew he had little choice, yet a plan began to form in his mind- a way to buy time and escape. He knew that no matter what he said or did, they were never going to forgive him. He was going to lose his job, his place in the family, and even his freedom. Michael decided that the best thing to do would be to pretend to play along and then run away before they could arrest him.

But before he could finish thinking about it, Derek leaned in close as though he could read his mind. "Don't even think about running or going after Sandra yourself. I will be watching. And if you mess this up, there won't be a second chance. I will kill you myself if I have to. Don't test me." Michael swallowed hard, feeling the walls close in on him. He nodded slowly, his voice barely above a whisper. "I'll do whatever you want me to do. Anything," he said, the words hollow, each one a nail in the coffin of his ambition.

 

Chapter 163

As Derek drove away from his parent's house and headed for the venue where he was to meet with the hitman, his mind raced with the details of his conversation with Michael. Derek had been curious to know how Michael could have chosen to cheat on Evelyn with someone like Sandra, but Michael had shocked them all with his confession.

"I knew Sandra before Evelyn. I met her during our first year in school. I fell in love with her and wanted her to be my girlfriend," Michael had explained.

"So, how did you end up with Evelyn?" Rebecca had asked with a frown.

"Sandra said I didn't seem ambitious enough. She said she wanted an ambitious man. Someone who desperately wanted to succeed like she did. I told her I was ambitious, and she asked me to prove it by seducing her half-sister, Evelyn," Michael had said, detailing how Sandra had manipulated him from the beginning and guiding him to marry Evelyn for her inheritance. "And when it didn't work, you both decided to aim higher and go after Derek," Derek's father had said with disgust.

Every detail replayed in Derek's head, almost suffocating in its cruelty. The whole idea of it was appalling.

Derek sighed as he thought of Evelyn. How devastated would she be if she found out her entire relationship with Michael had been orchestrated by Sandra's jealousy and greed?

How hurt would she be when she realized that the relationship had been built entirely on deception and Michael had never once loved her? It had not been a matter of being cheated on. She had simply been lucky to catch them in the act when she did.

The thought made Derek's heart clench. He exhaled sharply, trying to shake off the idea, his focus returning to the road ahead.

Just as his mind began to clear, his phone rang, jolting him from his reverie. He glanced at the screen: it was Evelyn.

"Hey," he answered, trying to sound calm, but his voice held a hint of the tension he was feeling.

"What's going on? Are you still with Michael, or..?" Her voice was soft.

"No. I just left them now. I'm on my way to meet with Sandra's man," he replied, maintaining a steady tone.

"Why didn't you call to tell me? How did it go with Michael? Did he agree?" Evelyn asked, and Derek could hear the unmistakable anxiety behind her voice.

"I'm sorry. I guess I was lost in my thoughts about the meeting ahead, and calling you sort of skipped my mind. Yes, it went smoothly. Michael agreed to play along." Derek's eyes flickered over the road as he spoke, still mentally preparing for the meeting ahead. Evelyn let out a small sigh of relief, and he could almost picture her nodding, relief easing some of her worry. "Thank goodness.

I've been on edge all day. I couldn't focus on anything else... I haven't even eaten."

"Babe, you should go and get something to eat, he chided gently.

"You need to take better care of yourself. I'll handle this."

"I know," she murmured. "But I can't bring myself to stay still or focus on anything else. I'm anxious, and I can't stomach anything.

Maybe I'll feel better after tonight," she said, and Derek sighed, sensing her restlessness.

He understood that her anxiety could not be helped. It wasn't every day that one found out their stepsister was plotting their death.

"You need a distraction. What are you up to? Want to go hang out with Rayna?" He asked and Evelyn glanced at Samantha, who was busy drawing and painting on her table.

ו"

"I don't want to go out right now. I'm home alone with Sam.

Although Rayna called to say she was coming over to spend the day with us, so I'm waiting for her."

Derek smiled faintly, "As long as she is coming over, that's good enough. How is Maya? I guess she has left for the hospital?"

"Yes. She finally left for the hospital a short while ago after much prodding, Evelyn replied. There was a note of relief in her voice, but it was laced with exhaustion. "This is all so overwhelming, Derek. I can't wait for it to be over." Derek's heart ached for her. "I understand. Look, why don't I order something for you to eat? It'll save you the trouble of looking around the house. Is there anything you'd like to eat?"

"No, no Evelyn replied, a bit more alert now. "Il find something here. It's okay."

A soft chime sounded in the background on Evelyn's end, and Derek heard her say, "Rayna's here. I should go. But let me know how things go with the hitman, okay? And when you get home, you can give me all the details."

"Of course. Don't worry about a thing," Derek assured her. With that, they said their goodbyes and Evelyn's line clicked off.

Just as Derek was about to focus on the road once again, his phone started ringing, and he scowled when he saw that it was Sandra.

He could guess that she was calling to remind him of the reunion later in the day. Taking a deep breath, he received the call. "Hello, Derek!" She greeted pleasantly.

Hearing his name from the same lips that had so casually ordered the murder of two people who were close to her sent a chill down Derek's spine.

"Hey! How are you doing?" Derek asked, trying his best to sound normal.

"I'm alright. You know what today is, right? I hope you haven't forgotten that you're accompanying me to my class reunion?" She asked hopefully. "How can I forget? You've made it clear that tonight is very important to you, so I have to be there," Derek said, and Sandra smiled.

"Have you picked out an outfit yet? I'm wearing a red dress," she said, and Derek raised a brow, wondering why she was telling him that.

"I'm sure I will figure out what to wear when it is time," he said, and Sandra rolled her eyes.

"I'm giving you a clue already. You should wear something with a touch of red to make us look like a real couple. You know, like a united front," she said, and Derek shook his head. "Alright. If this what you want," he said, and she giggled happily.

"Thanks, baby. I can't wait to see you tonight. Don't forget to pick me up, okay? I'll be ready by seven," she said, and Derek scowled at her reference to him as baby.

"Sure. See you then""" he said before hanging up.

As Derek got closer to his meeting point with the hitman, he dialed the number of one of the detectives they had stationed around the venue to make sure he was there and ready to apprehend the hitman. Once he confirmed that everything was in place, he took a deep breath and silently prayed that everything would go as planned and no one would get hurt.

 

Chapter 164

After hanging up her call with Derek, Evelyn felt a flood of relief and anticipation as she rushed to open the door. The moment Rayna walked in and shut the door behind her, Evelyn threw her arms around her in a warm, tight hug. "Thanks for coming," she said, her voice full of gratitude.

Rayna tilted her head back, raising an eyebrow with a playful smile. "What's with all the excitement, Evie? We just saw each other yesterday. Why are you acting like we haven't seen in years?"

Evelyn let out an embarrassed laugh, brushing a stray hair behind her ear. "Well, I've been anxious all morning, and I barely slept last night. I'm just happy to see you. Your presence would keep me distracted," she said, and Rayna raised a brow.. Raynas playful smile softened into a look of concern. "Distracted from what, exactly? What's going on? Is it something with Sandra? Did she attempt something?" she asked, her voice growing serious.

Evelyn took a deep breath, glancing around. "Yes, actually. But come in, let's sit down; this isn't something we can discuss while standing by the door," she said, leading Rayna into the cozy living room.

As they settled onto the couch, Rayna looked around, frowning slightly. "The house is so quiet. Where is everyone? Is Derek out with Sam?"

Evelyn shook her head, gesturing toward the staircase. "Sam is upstairs keeping busy with her drawing. Maya stepped out for a bit."

Rayna opened her handbag, pulled out a packet of cookies, and handed it to Evelyn. "This is for Sam."

Evelyn smiled, shaking her head. "You spoil her too much with these sweet treats. I swear she has had more sugar since she met you than she has all her life."

Rayna laughed, a twinkle in her eyes. "What else can you expect from an aunt who bakes? Now, enough with the small talk. Tell me what's happening. What's really going on, Evelyn?"

Taking another steadying breath, Evelyn began. "So, after our shopping trip yesterday, I came home to see my parents in the house with Derek. He invited them and his parents..."

"Weren't you all supposed to meet on Sunday? Don't tell me Derek proposed last night," Rayna said, narrowing her eyes as her gaze fell on Evelyn's finger.

"No. Of course not. I'm sure he wouldn't do that without you in the picture," Evelyn said, and Rayna nodded with approval.

"I just wanted to be sure you know it, and he knows it too. If he had proposed, I would have seized the ring, and he would have done it all again in front of me," Rayna said with a grin, and Evelyn laughed, feeling thankful for Rayna's good sense of humor, which she infused into everything. "So, as I was saying, Derek invited both our parents over..."

Rayna rolled her eyes, pretending to yawn. "Can you cut to the chase, Evie?"

Evelyn took a shaky breath before finally blurting it out. "Sandra has plans... to kill Michael and me tonight."

Rayna's expression shifted instantly, her mouth hanging open in shock. "What? Sandra? Tonight? Are you serious?" She asked, shock freezing her in place.

Evelyn nodded. She poured out every detail of the plan, the danger Sandra posed, Derek's efforts to thwart her, and how they had decided to involve Michael in their plans. When she was done, Rayna just sat there silently, shaking her head in disbelief and anger as she processed every detail.

"This is both sad and annoying," Rayna muttered, anger flickering in her eyes. "I'm sad for your stepmom. That beautiful woman doesn't deserve an evil daughter like Sandra. How could Sandra even think of doing this to you? You are her sister, for crying out loud! And now you have to hide for weeks?"

Evelyn nodded slowly. "Yeah. Just until Derek's mother's birthday. I hope you will visit me often, though, she added with a small, hopeful smile.

Rayna reached out and squeezed Evelyn's hand. "Of course I will.

You should know you don't even need to ask," Rayna said firmly. "I can do your grocery shopping, run errands... whatever you need me to do, just say the word." Evelyn's lips curved into a small, grateful smile. "Thank you, Ray.

But that won't be necessary. I will be getting domestic staff to help out around the house by Monday, so that should make things easier."

A comfortable silence fell between them as they absorbed the situation's weight. After a moment, Evelyn looked at Rayna with a soft expression. "Enough about my troubles. How are you? And... how's the situation with Ethan today?"

Rayna's face fell slightly, her expression turning resigned. "Well, I've been thinking about it since last night, and I've decided to let go of that mess. No doubt, I made a mistake by reacting the way I did that night at the club. But I know my worth, Evie. I don't think I want to be with a man who holds grudges that way or judges me and treats me so harshly for a single moment's mistake. It doesn't matter what I think we shared or thought we could have. It's not worth it if he's such a petty person. I want me a nice gentleman who treats me with respect and kindness no matter how upset he is.

Evelyn nodded, a look of understanding in her eyes. "I thought about that too. I didn't want to say anything before, but I think you're making the right choice. You don't deserve to be treated this way. You deserve someone who values you."

Rayna gave a small, determined nod. "Exactly. I've deleted his number, our chats, even his emails. I'm done. Maybe I will consider a dating site after some time, but only when I'm ready. I don't want to come off as desperate anymore than I have already," Rayna said, and Evelyn smiled as she reached out, covering Rayna's hand with hers and a gentle warmth in her eyes. "You're an incredible person, Ray. You deserve only the best, and I know you will find it."

Rayna smiled, squeezing Evelyn's hand back. "Thanks, Evie. I really hope so."

A flicker of laughter brightened Rayna's eyes. "Now, enough with all the unpleasant talk. Let's focus on distracting you and making you laugh."

 

Chapter 165

Maya sat at the reception area and waited to be led in to see the gynecologist.

She had initially resisted Evelyn's suggestion to visit a doctor, but Evelyn's gentle insistence and concern finally won her over. Soon, a nurse appeared and escorted Maya down a hallway. "Dr.

Garwood will see you now," the nurse said with a warm smile, pushing open the door to the office.

Maya stepped inside, and her eyes widened in surprise when the doctor, who was busy flipping through a file, lifted his head. Liam, who had lifted his head at the sound of the door, froze when he saw Maya, looking clearly as surprised as he was. "Maya?" he asked, blinking in astonishment. Maya's s surprise quickly transformed rmed into a radiant smile. "Liam! What...

what are you doing here?" She laughed softly.

Liam shook off his initial surprise and managed a small smile. "Please, sit sit down," he said, motioning toward the chair

chair across from him.

He glanced at the nurse and gestured for her I for her to leave, and she exited with a polite nod. Once they were alone, he turned back to Maya, still looking slightly bewildered. "So, what brings you to my office?"

Settling into the chair, Maya smiled softly, "I have been having terrible cramps lately, and Evelyn wouldn't let me hear the end of it until I agreed to get checked out."

Liam leaned back, a hint of relief crossing his face. "Evelyn insisted, huh?" he said with a soft chuckle.

"Yeah. Is she aware that you're in Ludus?" udus?" Maya asked, and Liar and Liam hesitated, glancing at his hands before looking back at her.

"No, she doesn't, and I'd rather it t remains so. Can I I trust t you I not t to say anything to her?" He asked, looking at her with beseeching eyes.

Maya frowned, her expression turning serious. "Is... everything okay?" Her voice held a note of genuine concern. She knew how close he was to Evelyn, so she couldn't understand why he was keeping such a secret from her. She had found it strange that he had left the last time without having lunch with them as planned, and he hadn't even waited to say goodbye to her before leaving.

Liam sighed and rubbed the back of his neck, looking thoughtful.

"It's complicated," he

," he admitted. "But maybe we can talk about that after we finish your check-up. Are you free for lunch after this?" Maya's face brightened at the suggestion. "Yes, I am," she agreed, a trace of warmth in her smile. "I don't really have any friends here, so it'd be great to spend some time with someone I know apart from Evelyn and Sam." softer this time. "At least you have them. I have no one here. I would appreciate the company.

Liam's smile retalked around his desk, putting on a pair of gloves and gesturing to an examination bed behind a curtain.

let's

Liam got up and walke Maya nodded, trying to shake out his uses elas, andy explain everything as we go. The cramp might not mean anything." off her nerves as she down.

Checked

Just

Although she was feeling a bit self-conscious, she focused on the ceiling, trying to keep her thoughts calm as Liam began the scan. Liam's movements were calm and professional. After a few After he was

"What is it. /one, he returned to his seat behind the desk quiet moments, Liam's face grew serious, his eyes fixed on the monitor beside him. His silence made Maya's heart beat faster, and a knot of worry formed in her stomach.

and looked over the scan result while Maya returned to her seat. 'she asked after some time, her voice barely more than a whisper.

Finally, Liam took a deep breath as he turned to her, his gaze soft and sympathetic. "Maya..... you have an ovarian cyst," he said gently, and Maya felt the air leave her lungs. The words seemed to echo in the small room, filling the silence.

a's face drained of color, her hands falling to her abdomen as she absorbed what hed just said.

Maya's

"Ovarian Cyst?" She repeated.

ovarian cyst is a fluid-filled sac that forms on the ovary. Don't worry; most ovarian cysts are non-cancerous and resolve on their own," he said, hoping that would comfort her.

is

"So, it's not serious?" She asked hopefully.

Liam

Liam hesitated for a moment, "It's too early to tell. We'll schedule follow-up ultrasounds to monitor the cyst's size and growth. If symptoms persist or worsen, we'll discuss treatment options. In the meantime, keep track of your symptoms and report any changes." Maya forced a small smile, but her hands were trembling.

"Treatment options," she repeated, the weight of it sinking in.

"Maya, I know it sounds frightening, but trust me, you'll be fine. I'll be here to guide you through every part of it," he said, and she let out a shaky breath, trying to steady herself.

"Thank you, Liam. .I... I just

I didn't expect this," she said with a forced smile. "Please, don't tell Evelyn about this." Liam's brow furrowed, surprised. "Why would you want to keep this from Evelyn?"

"She has enough on her plate as it is. Evelyn's dealing with a lot. I don't want to add to her worries."

He watched her carefully, seeing the worry in her eyes, and then nodded slowly, giving her a warm smile. "I understand. I'll keep this between us. You also have to promise not to tell her you saw me." She nodded, "Sure."

"I guess we can't have lunch now. I'm sure you need some time to yourself," he said, and a faint smile broke through the cloud of worry on her face.

"Yeah. Maybe another time. Thank you, Liam." She stood, ready to leave, relief mixed with a heaviness she couldn't shake.

As she turned to leave, Liam's voice stopped her. "Maya... let's keep in touch, alright? If you need someone to talk to or want to hang out, you can call me," he said, holding his card out to her. She turned, looking back at him with gratitude. "Sure. I'd like that," she said as she took the card from him.

 

Chapter 166

Derek arrived at the secluded parking lot and parked his car. The air around him was thick with anticipation as his gaze swept over

the empty rows of vehicles. He took a steadying breath and adjusted his rearview mirror to catch any movement.

He didn't have to wait long. Within minutes, there was a sharp rap on his car window. Derek unlocked the passenger door, and the hitman, a young man in his late twenties, slid into the seat beside him, glancing around. Derek looked up to see the hitman's cold and annoyed face. He had clearly been expecting to see Sandra and not him.

"Who the hell are you?" he asked, his tone low and threatening. He reached for the door handle, but Derek quickly activated the automatic lock.

The hitman's eyes narrowed, his hand twitching toward his jacket pocket, where Derek guessed a gun was concealed.

"Relax" Derek said, keeping his voice calm. "You're not going anywhere just yet."

The hitman smirked, his fingers edging closer to the gun's grip.

"Big mistake, friend," he murmured, fingers finally closing around the weapon.

Derek let out a resigned sigh and clicked the lock again, letting him go. "Fine," he said simply, watching as the hitman pushed open the door.

The hitman stepped out, but before he could take a step further, two detectives materialized from behind parked cars, guns drawn.

They moved in swiftly, disarming him with practiced ease.

Shock replaced the hitman's initial confidence as the detectives ordered him back into Derek's car. His eyes darted around, and he slumped into the seat, realizing he was outnumbered and outmaneuvered.

Both detectives slid into the backseat of the car, and Derek automatically locked the doors again.

"Big mistake, friend. I was going to do this without the detectives""" Derek muttered as he pulled out his phone and hit play on the recording he'd saved from his conversation with Sandra. Her voice filled the car, casually outlining the hit she wanted on Evelyn and Michael. The hitman's eyes widened slightly as the realization sank in. "Now," Derek said, his voice steely, "there's no question you're going to jail. But I want answers. Who else knows about this?

Have you made arrangements with anyone else to carry out the job?"

The hitman's mouth twisted into a sneer, but his voice was defiant.

"I don't know what you're talking about. And you're arresting me anyway, so why should I talk?"

Derek's eyes flashed with quiet menace. "You should talk because you don't know me," he said slowly, leaning closer. "You don't know what I'm capable of."

The hitman's face faltered, but he kept his mouth shut. Derek

continued, his tone sharp as ice. "If even a single hair on Evelyn's head is hurt, I'll make sure your mother finds out about what you do, and your daughter... you should think about her."

The hitman's composure crumbled, his body tensing as he glanced at Derek in horror. Derek held his gaze, a deadly calm in his eyes.

"I know more about you than you can imagine. Did you think I would come to someone like you without doing my homework?

I've pulled a lot of strings to be here, so you should make it worth it," Derek continued. "Now, answer my question. Have you arranged for anyone else to go after Evelyn?"

A beat passed before the hitman swallowed, his voice barely a whisper. "I... I have a crew. We were going to do it together."

"Good," Derek replied coolly. "Now, you're going to call them off.

And you're going to give the detectives their locations so they can take care of them."

The hitman's face twisted in defiance. "I can't snitch on my own men."

Derek's gaze darkened. "How much do you love your mother and daughter?" His words were low, and there was no hint of mercy in them.

The hitman hesitated, visibly torn. Derek leaned back, letting him stew in the silence for a few moments. "Here's my offer," Derek said. "Cooperate, and I'll see to it that your daughter's medical bills are covered while you're locked away. All her needs, including your mother's needs, will be met- everything. But only if you agree to help us." At that, the hitman closed his eyes, his resolve breaking. When he finally spoke, his voice was resigned. "Alright. I'll do it."

Derek nodded to the detectives, who quickly began coordinating the plan, with the hitman reluctantly leading the way.

It took a while for them to finish, and after they were done planning everything, Derek returned home in the evening.

Evelyn greeted him at the door, her expression a mixture of worry and relief. "You're finally back. You took so long," she said softly, stepping aside to let him in.

"Yeah. It's over for now," he replied, taking her hand as they moved further into the house. The warmth of her touch relaxed him after the tense day.

"Rayna has left?" Derek asked, looking around the living room as he sat down.

"Yeah. She left a short while ago to get ready for the reunion. I've also dropped Samantha off at Sara's place for her sleepover with Ella since we will both be out, and Maya still needs to get some rest, Evelyn said, and Derek nodded. "Is Maya back from the hospital? What did she say?" Derek asked with concern.

"We couldn't talk earlier because Rayna was here. After Rayna left, I went in to check on her, but she was taking a nap," Evelyn explained as she went to get him a glass of water.

She returned with it, and after taking a long drink, Derek let out a sigh as the tension eased from his shoulders.

"So, how did it go?" She asked, and he looked into her face, noticing the worry still lingering in her eyes.

"The meeting went well. All we need now is to get you and Michael to the final location. Someone will be there to handle the makeup

and make sure it looks convincing. If it weren't for your idea to arrest her at my mother's birthday celebration, I would've had her arrested tonight. But we'll give her a show- let her believe she's won."

She gave him a small, grateful smile, her eyes sparkling with determination. "I know. But I want her to enjoy her moment of victory. I want to see if she will truly be happy once she believes I'm out of the picture. Maybe she will have regrets."

Derek shook his head, "I don't believe she will. But we will find out soon enough. I need to get some rest before I get ready to go pick her up for the reunion. She wants me to wear a touch of red, so we look like a couple," Derek said, and Evelyn laughed. "Do you want me to wear a touch of red for you?" She asked, and Derek grinned "Really? Can you do that?" He asked, and she nodded.

"Sure. Anything for my knight in shining armor," she said, and Derek smiled at her as he set down his glass and pulled her close so she would sit on his lap.

"I can't wait for this to be over, Eve. I want to go on dates with you and Samantha without worrying about your safety," he said, kissing her bare arm.

"I want that too. I want a real and normal relationship with you,"

she said softly, and Derek kissed her.

"I love you."

"I love you too," Evelyn said, holding his gaze.

As she looked at him, she wondered whether or not to tell him now that one of the reasons she was anxious was because she was yet to see her period.

She didn't want to believe that she had taken in again so carelessly, but she had been thinking about it and realized that she had not remembered to take any morning after pill after they had sex at the resort, because of all the drama that ensued.

 

Chapter 167

Michael sat in his apartment, his head in his hands, his mind racing with thoughts of the morning's confrontation.

His whole life felt like it was hanging by a frayed thread, barely held together, slipping more with every second. He got up, pacing back and forth across the living room.

He could almost feel the cell walls closing in, imagining the metallic clang of prison doors locking him inside forever.

How did it come to this? He'd had it all planned- every detail- but somehow, Derek had found out. And Evelyn. Why did they all seem so concerned about her, like she was part of the family? The way Derek had looked at him earlier, there was something personal there. Why was Derek so invested in her? The sudden ring of his phone pulled him out of his thoughts.

Glancing at the screen, Michael scowled when he saw Sandra's name flashing. His stomach twisted, the rage bubbling up inside.

He could almost see her smirking, completely oblivious to the fact that he knew her plan to get rid of him.

How could she sound so normal, so calm, when she was plotting his death? He gripped the phone tightly, wishing he could scream at her, confront her, make her suffer. But he coulan't. He knew now that their call was being monitored, and two cops stood just outside his door, ready to step in if he so much as made a wrong move.

With a deep breath, he swiped to answer, keeping his tone as steady as he could manage. "Hello, Sandra."

"Hey, Michael! How are you doing?" Sandra's voice chimed, light and pleasant, as though nothing had changed. "I hope I didn't catch you at a bad time."

"Not at all, he replied, forcing a casual tone despite the tension in his jaw.

"Well, that's wonderful," she cooed. "I actually need a favor, if you don't mind."

Michael clenched his fist, silently cursing her nerve. "What is it?" He asked, knowing that she was probably calling to send him out as she had promised the hitman she would. "Oh, it's nothing too big, just a little help with a delivery," Sandra explained sweetly. "I ordered a few things online. The person handling it was quite insistent about meeting at a specific location rather than doing a home delivery. Would you mind picking it up for me? I'd do it myself, but I have that class to attend." "What exactly did you buy that needs to be picked up at such a

'discreet' location?" Michael asked with suspicion laced through his words despite his effort to keep his tone neutral.

"Oh, Mike," she chuckled lightly, "it's nothing so serious. You know, some essentials for your aunt's birthday. Just a few things to make sure the party goes off without a hitch. I will stop by your place to pick it up tomorrow and spend the day with you. I've been missing you," Sandra said with a pout.

The way she breezed through the explanation made Michael's skin crawl. He knew without a doubt that he would have so easily fallen into her trap had he not heard of her plan before now. Never would he have doubted such a harmless-sounding request.

"Will you be able to help me, or should I make other arrangements?" Sandra asked, confident that he would help since Michael always ended up doing whatever she wanted no matter what, especially if there was the promise of a sexual reward. "Fine, he replied. "Send me the details, and I'll pick it up," Michael said with a resigned sigh.

"Thank you! I knew I could count on you." Sandra's voice practically sang with triumph.

He heard her inhale as if to end the call, but he stopped her, his voice softer, almost hesitant. "Sandy... do you still love me?"

There was a brief silence before she broke into a light laugh. "Of course I always have and always will, Mike. Don't be silly! Why would you ask such a thing? You know you mean the world to me."

He felt his heart shatter at her response, the forced warmth, the fake affection. She sounded exactly like the woman he had once loved with every fiber of his being, and yet now he saw her for what she was - manipulative, callous, and deadly. "No reason. I was just wondering." "Well, I need to go," she said quickly. "Derek should be here soon, and I have to finish getting ready. Thank you again, Mike. You're a lifesaver! I'll send you the location and stuff."

She hung up the call before he could say anything else, and the line went dead.

Michael let his hand fall, the phone slipping from his grip and onto the couch beside him. He just stared at the wall for a moment, feeling an overwhelming sense of loss and emptiness.

Tears pricked at his eyes, and he didn't bother to stop them as they slid down his cheeks. He felt like a fool, used and discarded by the one person he had loved and trusted most.

All he had done- every lie, every crime- had been for her, and now she was ready to toss him aside like he was nothing more than a

rag.

Had she ever loved him? Had she ever really cared about him? Or had he only been a means to an end? Had he been to Sandra, what Evelyn had been to him?

He hadn't realized how much he had messed up until now. The thought of everyone in the family finding out about what he had done only made him feel worse.

A chilling thought crept into his mind, dark and unyielding. What if he didn't go along with the plans? What if he took control and ended this cycle of betrayal himself?

He could envision it: confronting Sandra, taking her life as she had planned to take his, making her pay for the twisted web she had trapped him in. He could take her down, then kill himself, and escape the judgment of prison. It would be the only way to end her deceit and rid himself of this pain. He remembered Derek's warning but assured himself that there was no way Derek could do anything to him if he succeeded in killing himself and Sandra.

It would be in the best interest of everyone if he did it since prison was too good a place for someone as evil and wicked as Sandra.

Taking a deep breath, Michael made up his mind to go along with the plan for now, then he would find a way to carry out his own plan. He was not going to let Sandra go scot-free. They could both go to hell together.

 

Chapter 168

While Derek freshened up and got ready to leave to pick up Sandra, the doorbell rang, and Evelyn hurried downstairs to receive the package she had ordered before Derek returned.

After taking the package, she made her way into the guest room and opened the small brown package that had arrived. Inside were several pregnancy test kits, each one an unsettling reminder of her forgotten caution.

As she stood there contemplating whether to try out one of them, she heard Derek calling for her. She quickly tucked the package into a drawer, her heart pounding with the secret she now carried. Taking one last glance at the hidden package, she straightened up and went to join Derek, who was now standing in the living room with a slight frown on his face.

"Hey! Missing me already?" She asked, hoping her face didn't betray her nerves.

Derek flashed her a warm smile, "I heard the bell and got worried when you didn't come back to the room in time. Who was at the door?" he asked, holding her gaze as he adjusted the collar of his shirt.

"Oh, a delivery guy. He came to deliver a kitchen item I ordered," Evelyn lied, trying to sound casual as she led the way back upstairs.

She knew he wasn't likely to press, but her voice felt tighter than she'd intended. She didn't like lying to him since they had both made a habit of being honest with each other. But she just wanted to be sure before saying anything. She didn't want to raise any false alarms. Derek looked at her back, wondering why she felt tense. But before he could ask any further questions, his phone buzzed in his pocket, and he took it out to see it was Ethan.

Evelyn turned, wondering if it was Sandra calling, but Derek showed her the screen before receiving the call. "What's up, man?" he answered as they walked into the room.

Evelyn busied herself with straightening up a few items on the dresser, only half-listening to the conversation, though bits and pieces drifted her way.

Ethan's voice was low but clear. "I just wanted to let you know I'm heading back to work. We'll catch up when I return."

Derek's face fell slightly. "You're leaving already? I thought you still had a couple of weeks off."

Ethan

let tout a resigned sigh on the other end. "Yeah, I do. But I need to get back. I just need to... clear my head for a while, you know?"

Derek shook his head, knowing that this was still about the situation with Rayna, "Did your other dates not go well?" Derek asked, even though he knew that was the case. There was a pause, and then Ethan's voice dropped, more muted.

"I'd rather not get into it.' he replied, his tone guarded. "But

"I'm sure they'd love that""" Derek said softly, glancing give my regards to Evelyn and Samantha. I really do hope to spend more time with them when I'm back."

over at Evelyn with a thoughtful smile before hanging up.

"He's going back to work," Derek informed her, slipping his phone back into his pocket.

Evelyn shook her head with a faint smirk. "Honestly, I'm glad Rayna's decided to move on. She deserves better," Evelyn said with conviction.

Derek raised an eyebrow. "Don't you think it's a bit soon to reach that conclusion?"

She crossed her arms, watching him carefully. "If Ethan weren't acting like such a jerk, maybe things would be different. But I think she's making the right choice."

Derek gave a reluctant nod. "He's not a bad guy, Eve."

"I never said he was" she replied gently. "I doubt anyone so close to you could be a bad guy. Apart from Michael, of course, she added with a dismissive wave of her hand. Derek chuckled, "I guess there's always an exception."

"What I'm trying to say is that Ethan is handling things all wrong, and that doesn't make him bad; it just makes him... not right for Rayna. Hopefully, he'll find what he's looking for someday."

Derek sighed, running a hand through his hair. "I hope so, too."

Once Derek was dressed, Evelyn walked him to the front door, her hand warm in his as they made their way to his car. His suit was sharp, and the hint of red in his pocket square gave him a refined, elegant look.

She couldn't help but feel a mixture of pride and nerves, wishing she could share what was on her mind but knowing the timing wasn't right.

"Be careful, alright?" she said, gripping his hand a little tighter.

He leaned down, his lips soft against hers. "I will. And you should be, too. Try not to worry too much," he whispered, giving her one last lingering kiss before getting into his car.

As she watched him pull away, Evelyn took a deep breath and turned back into the house, her mind racing.

The silence of the house settled around her, thick with the weight of her hidden worry. She made her way back to the guest room, shutting the door behind her. Her fingers trembled as she reached for the envelope containing the pregnancy test kits, barely daring to look at it.

After a few moments of hesitant breathing, she finally took one out and followed the instructions, her heart hammering as she waited for the result.

She bit her lip, her eyes fixed on the tiny window of the test, each second feeling like an eternity. Then, the lines appeared - clear and unmistakable.

Pregnant.

She tried two more kits to see if the first was an error, but the result was the same.

Her breath hitched as she sank onto the edge of the bed, the reality of it settling over her in a wave. She pressed a hand to her stomach to calm herself, already picturing Derek's reaction.

She knew and trusted him enough to know he'd be thrilled. And she honestly didn't have any problem with having his child since he had shown her what a wonderful father and partner he was. But she couldn't help the embarrassment that rose within her. She hadn't been careful enough, and now this new chapter was suddenly unfolding, unplanned yet unavoidable. She really didn't want to have another child outside wedlock.

Pushing it all to the back of her mind, Evelyn straightened up and decided to get ready for the reunion. It was going to be a very dramatic evening, and she couldn't afford to be distracted by this.

With renewed determination, she went to her closet and picked out a deep-red strapless jumpsuit that matched the red on Derek's outfit. After all, she'd told Derek she'd wear something red for him and intended to keep that promise.

She wanted to look her best and annoy Sandra even more since Sandra had shown her the worst she could do was murder her.

As she slipped it on, the rich color brightened her complexion and gave her the confidence and boldness she desperately needed.

When she was done styling her hair and applying her makeup, she stood back to survey the final look.

Once satisfied, she headed out to the driveway, where her bodyguard was already waiting to take her to Raynas bakery.

As she slid into the backseat, Evelyn took a deep breath and looked out the window, her mind drifting to the future she hadn't anticipated but was somehow beginning to accept.

She would tell Derek about it after Sandra had been taken care of.

But tonight, she would focus on getting through the evening. The night was just beginning, and with so much ahead, Evelyn felt both anxious and hopeful for what lay beyond.

 

Chapter 169

Derek arrived at the Quinn house, pulling up to the driveway with a steady resolve. He knew tonight would be a test of his patience and control.

As he approached the front door, it swung open, revealing Sandra, who beamed at him, her face lighting up with enthusiasm. It seemed like she had been waiting for him. "Derek! You're here!" she exclaimed, stepping forward as if to hug him, but he subtly shifted, pretending to give her a once-over.

"You look good, Sandra", he said, making her flush with pleasure and not realize that he had just avoided her hug.

"You're always so full of compliments. Thank you," she said with a wide smile and then ushered him in, "Come in, come in! My parents are so eager to see you."

Claire and Eric, who were seated in the living room watching the television, looked up when Derek followed Sandra into the living room.

They both maintained a carefully neutral expression so as not to give away the fact that they were familiar with him already.

"Dad, Mom, this is Derek, CEO of Stone Corp. Derek, my parents," Sandra said with a beaming smile as she did the introductions. Claire and Eric greeted him with warm smiles and extended their hands with a practiced air of cordiality.

"Hello, Derek," Claire said, her tone deliberately neutral.

"Hello, Mr. and Mrs. Quinn," Derek replied, giving them a polite nod.

They exchanged the usual pleasantries, keeping the conversation light and cordial while Sandra went in to finish her look and get her purse.

All three of them could sense the tension in the room, apart from Sandra, who had no idea that they were all very much aware of her plans.

After a few minutes, Sandra reappeared, her makeup finished, and her excitement apparent. "Alright, ready to go!" she announced, glancing at her parents. "I will be back late. Or not. Don't wait up," she said as she reached for Derek's arm, attempting to hold on to him, but he subtly stepped aside, gesturing toward the door.

"We will be leaving now. 'Il bring her back early," Derek promised, and Sandra pouted for a moment but quickly masked it with a smile since she didn't want to offend Derek by seeming too clingy.

"Our reds don't match. Mine looks sharper while yours is deep" she observed as they walked outside.

"You told me red. You didn't exactly give me a specific shade," he pointed out, glad that it didn't match.

"You're right. I suppose red is red. It doesn't matter the shade," she said, and Derek hoped she would think so when she saw Evelyn's outfit.

When they got to the car, Derek opened the car door for her and then took his place behind the wheel.

As he drove, she tried to make small talk, chatting about her week and work and how she was excited about the evening ahead, but he only offered brief responses, his thoughts elsewhere.

In his mind, Derek kept replaying his last conversation with Evelyn before Ethan's call came in. He was concerned about the tension he'd noticed in her earlier and wondered if she'd truly been okay.

Had something else happened that she wasn't telling him? And why had she claimed she received a kitchen delivery yet had come out from the guest room instead of the kitchen? Something felt off, and he couldn't shake the feeling that she was hiding something. "Derek?" Sandra's voice broke into his thoughts, pulling him back to the present. "Hmm?" he murmured, barely glancing her way.

"You seem distracted," she observed with a hint of annoyance that she tried to mask. "Thinking about the reunion?"

"Yeah... something like that. I don't attend such events, so I'm wondering what I'm going to say and how I'm going to fit in, he replied, giving her a half-smile.

"Oh, you don't have to fit in. I'm not exactly very friendly with them.

Besides, I'm sure when they know who you are, they will be the ones trying to entertain you," she said with a smirk, proud of herself for getting a man like Derek.

There was no doubt in her mind that Evelyn had lost Derek and didn't even stand a chance with him. Not when she was a Babymama to some man. All she had to do now was get Evelyn and Michael out of the picture to secure her triumph. In a couple of hours, that would be done.

Thinking about it, Sandra looked away from Derek as she pulled out her phone, remembering that she had yet to send an important message to the hitman.

[Also, when you get Michael, do not forget to use his phone to give Evelyn several calls. You should also send some crazy texts that would make it seem like he is obsessed with her. Make it believable.] Satisfied, she put her phone away. "What are you up to?" Derek asked, catching her movement from the corner of his eye.

"Oh, I'm just checking the group chat to see if everyone has arrived," she replied breezily, flashing a casual smile.

Arriving at Rayna's bakery, which was the venue, Derek parked and stepped out of the car, going around to get Sandra's door.

As they stepped into the bakery side by side, Derek immediately looked around for Evelyn, and his gaze landed on her across the room.

She looked stunning in her red jumpsuit, and he felt his chest tighten at the sight of her. The red color matched his own perfectly, and he resisted the urge to smile, keeping his composure so that Sandra would not notice.

Across the room, Evelyn felt Derek's gaze on her, and when she turned and saw him, she pressed her lips together to keep from grinning when he winked at her.

On the other hand, Sandra's face fell when she caught sight of

Evelyn. She glared at the deep, complementary shade Evelyn wore, which fit Derek's red perfectly and made her own attire seem a shade too sharp and out of place beside Derek.

If she didn't know better, she would have thought they had planned it, Sandra mused as she glanced from Evelyn to Derek to see if he had noticed Evelyn looking at him, but to Sandra's pleasure, Derek was smiling down at her instead of looking at Evelyn, "Let's join the others."

As they drew closer to the long banquet table, Sandra noticed, to her frustration, that the only available seats were one next to Evelyn and another directly across from her.

When they got to the table, they were greeted with polite nods and waves from former classmates since Sandra wasn't exactly very friendly with others, unlike Evelyn, who got along with everyone and was loved by all.

"Is there a way we can adjust the seats so I can sit next to my boyfriend?" Sandra asked hopefully since the last thing she wanted was for either of them to sit beside Evelyn.

"No, Sandy. The seats were arranged this way to encourage mingling. No one is to sit beside their partner since they would be too distracted to focus on the rest of us," Rayna said sweetly, and Evelyn resisted the urge to giggle. Evelyn had not noticed what Rayna had done until then, and it warmed her heart to see that Rayna was looking out for her so that she wouldn't have to see Sandra sitting so closely with Derek.

"That doesn't even make any sense. Why do I have to sit separately from my boyfriend..."

"Calm down. Don't make a scene," Derek whispered, and Sandra stopped.

"I'm sure you have all the time in the world to spend with your fine-looking boyfriend. A couple of minutes away from him won't be the end of your relationship," someone said dryly, and the others laughed.

"And maybe you should let your boyfriend sit beside Evelyn, seeing as you both don't get along. I don't want any fighting in my bakery," Rayna said, and Sandra scowled at her while the others murmured amongst themselves as they looked on in interest.

"I thought I was imagining things. What possibly could have torn you both apart?" Someone asked curiously.

Not wanting to miss the opportunity Rayna had presented, Derek spoke quickly. "She is right. I will sit beside Evelyn, and you can sit here. It's only for a couple of hours. It's not a big deal," Derek said, guiding Sandra to the seat opposite Evelyn.

Reluctantly, Sandra settled in the seat opposite Evelyn as Derek held out the seat for her, and after that, Derek went to take the seat beside Evelyn.

The moment he sat down, Evelyn greeted him with a soft smile,

"Hello, Derek. It's good to see you again," she murmured, her gaze meeting his.

Knowing that Sandra was watching, Derek spared Evelyn a brief glance, unable to bring himself to ignore her even though it was only for show. "Same here. You look gorgeous," he said flatly, but from the look in

his eyes, Evelyn could tell it was a genuine compliment.

Derek turned away from her, feigning disinterest, but under the table, he reached for her hand and gently squeezed it.

She felt butterflies flutter in her stomach, and she held back a smile, feeling comforted by his touch.

"You both know each other?" Someone asked, and Evelyn smiled.

"Of course. This is Derek..."

Sandra fumed as she watched the interaction, her irritation barely concealed. "He is Derek Stone, my boyfriend."

Rayna, seated next to Evelyn, smirked as she watched Sandra's irritation. "You know, if I didn't know better, I'd say Evelyn and Derek are the couple here, matching and all."

Sandra's eyes narrowed as she glared at Rayna. "Derek is my boyfriend, not Evelyn's," she snapped. "Don't joke about that."

"Relax, Sandra"" Rayna laughed, waving her off. "No one's going to steal your man tonight," Rayna said while everyone else watched the exchange with amusement.

Evelyn chuckled, giving Sandra a teasing smile. "No worries, sis.

I've got my own man.

Rayna giggled, chiming in, "Oh, I wish he had come with you tonight, Evie. A total package, that guy is, I tell."

Derek struggled to keep a straight face as he gestured for Sandra to calm down. Sandra did her best to stay calm, casting a glare at

Evelyn.

"No one will be stealing anyone's man tonight. Besides, you can't steal a full-grown man that doesn't want to be stolen. I have no desire to be stolen from the love of my life," Derek assured the ladies. Thinking he was referring to her, Sandra blushed while Evelyn and the rest of the ladies let out a collective aww.

"You're so sweet. Makes me think of Evie's boyfriend," Rayna said with a wink at Evelyn, and Evelyn giggled.

"Tell us about this charming boyfriend of yours, Evie," one of the ladies said, and Evelyn giggled.

"Yeah, tell us. Ray is making me really curious," another lady said.

"I don't know where to start," she said with a grin, "He's so charming, romantic and sweet..."

"He is handsome and financially loaded, too," Rayna added enthusiastically, and Sandra huffed.

Determined to disgrace Evelyn, she brought up a topic she thought might embarrass her. "By the way, Evie," she said with an exaggerated smile, "how is your daughter? Why have I yet to meet my niece?" She asked sweetly. "Daughter? Evie, you have a kid?" One of the guys asked. "Yeah. I was surprised to find out, too. She kept it hidden from us all probably because she was too embarrassed about being a single mom," Sandra said, and the room grew quiet.

Derek looked at Sandra with disapproval, and she flashed him an apologetic smile since he seemed displeased with her for revealing that.

A few people turned to Evelyn in surprise. Unruffled, Evelyn laughed softly, "Why would I be embarrassed? I have the most adorable little girl."

Rayna jumped in, "Oh, Samantha's the

"Yeah. Let's see," the others said, and lettiest, smartest kid! Evie, you should show everyone a picture!" She said, knowing that Sandra had brought it up to embarrass Evelyn.

Evelyn pulled out her phone and showed off photos of Samantha, earning compliments from everyone around. Sandra clenched her fists in anger as she watched as everyone admired Evelyn even more.

Rayna continued, "Do you guys know what the sweetest thing is?

Her man adores them so much. He even both them both cars recently. Evelyn got herself the absolute best."

Sandra, frustrated and searching for an edge, let out a deep sigh as she suddenly exclaimed, "Poor Michael. I can't imagine how he must feel to know that Evelyn dumped him on their wedding day for someone more successful." Everyone fell silent at that, and under the table Evelyn felt Derek's fist clench, but she placed a hand over it to calm him and laughed out loud, the sound calm and unbothered. "Well, anyone in my shoes would do the same after finding their fiance in bed with their stepsister a day before their wedding. Am I

wrong?" Evelyn asked with a sweet smile.

 

Chapter 170

Surprised gasps and murmurs followed Evelyn's accusation, and even Sandra froze for a moment. She had meant to rattle Evelyn,

but now all eyes were on her in judgment.

Sandra cast an innocent glance in Derek's direction to be sure he wasn't buying what Evelyn was saying. But Derek maintained a neutral expression as he met her gaze.

He knew if the situation was reversed and Evelyn was being talked to in this manner, he would step in to defend her, but he wasn't interested in doing that for Sandra just to keep up the ruse.

His phone buzzed in his pocket, and he looked away from Sandra.

He took out his phone to check the message. When he saw it was Sandra's last text to the hitman, which she had sent while in the car with him, he shook his head

Sandra quickly recovered and smiled coldly at Evelyn. "Do you have another step-sister I don't know about, or were you referring to me?" She asked, feigning ignorance.

Evelyn's smile didn't waver, and neither did her gaze on Sandra shift. She merely raised a brow, "Yeah. I have come to realize I have two step-sisters. I realized that from the moment I found out what a two-faced bitch you are. Smiling and being nice and friendly with me while plotting and stabbing me in the back with Michael. Do you know the reason you're so scared of having me close to Derek? You think I'm like you. But guess what? Unlike you, I only touch what is mine," Evelyn said with a grin. Everyone else around the table stayed quiet as they watched the exchange between the sisters, enjoying the unexpected show.

Derek felt a surge of pride watching Evelyn hold her own, and his hand tightened around hers in silent support under the table.

Sandra scoffed, "Are you trying to make me into a bad person so that your action can be justified? We both know that Michael is obsessed with you, and he will never do anything to hurt you. I mean, it's been six years already, and he hasn't even given another lady a second look. If he and I were as close as you claim, why aren't we already in a serious relationship or married? Why am I dating his cousin? I don't know why you re trying to paint us as the bad people, Evie, but trust me when I say all Michael thinks and talks about is you. It's not fair what you did to him. And what you are saying right now is even more unfair," Sandra said, and Evelyn giggled.

"You're full of bullshit, Sandra. I would have bought this bullshit you're selling if I didn't see you both myself..."

"Do you have proof? You're so full of accusations tonight, Evelyn.

Are you saying all this because Derek is here, and you're trying to cause problems between us?"

"Proof? Are you really eager to have me wash your stinking linen out here? Because I will. Don't tempt me," Evelyn threatened with an amused smile.

Evelyn's calm expression and composed tone left Sandra speechless since she wasn't sure what proof Evelyn had, and something about the way she sounded told Sandra that she wasn't bluffing.

Deciding not to provoke her further, especially in Derek's presence, Sandra seethed silently, seeing as her plans to undermine Evelyn had crumbled before her eyes and even backfired.

"What? You no longer have bullshit to say? Don't tell me you don't have any smart comeback for me?" Evelyn asked with a sweet smile, and Rayna chuckled.

"We can all agree that Evelyn won this verbal fight," Rayna announced with an enthusiastic clap. Everyone laughed apart from Sandra and Derek who was trying not to join in the laughter himself. Sandra shot Rayna a glare, but before any of them could speak again, Evelyn's phone buzzed with a phone call in her purse.

She took it out and frowned when she saw it was a call from a familiar-looking number, but she coulan't place it. Before she could rise and excuse herself to go take the call, Derek looked from the corner of his eyes. When he saw the number on the screen, he recognized the last four digits as Michaels, and he realized that the show was on.

"Don't take it. It's Michael," he muttered under his breath for Evelyn's ears alone, but to anyone else, it sounded like he was cursing under his breath.

Since she couldn't look at Derek or say anything to him in front of Sandra, Evelyn turned to Rayna and showed her the call on the screen since she didn't know why Michael was calling.

Derek rose and excused himself from the table as he stepped out of the bakery to give the detectives a call and find out what was going on.

"I guess the show is over," someone said, and the others laughed as they resumed conversations.

Seeing that Evelyn had been distracted, Sandra narrowed her eyes, wondering if it was because Michael had been kidnapped now and they were calling Evelyn with the phone.

She hoped that was the case and the mission was going as planned since she wanted nothing more at the moment than to see Evelyn dead after the manner in which she had just humiliated her in the presence of everyone.

No longer enjoying herself since her plan to embarrass Evelyn had failed, Sandra rose and picked up her purse to go join Derek outside so they could leave.

"Are you leaving already? We haven't even started the party yet," Rayna asked sweetly, but Sandra eyed her with disdain before walking away.

As she walked away, she dialed the number of the hitman and didn't have to wait for long before the call connected, "I hope you're on it already. I want that bitch dead. Nothing must go wrong tonight," Sandra said under her breath. "I've got Michael. My men are around the reunion location waiting for her," he assured her.

"Good. Let me know the moment you get her. Make sure you don't kill her immediately. I want her to suffer," Sandra said, and she hung up the call as she approached Derek, who was now standing by the car.

Just as she drew closer to him, Derek hung up the call with the detective. "Why did you come out?" He asked with a blank expression.

"I don't want to remain in there. Let's leave," she said, and Derek raised an eyebrow.

"Leave? We only just got here. We haven't even had a drink..."

"We can get a drink alone somewhere else. You saw how they were all picking on me," Sandra protested.

"I don't think anyone picked on you. And even if they did, they wouldn't have picked on you had you not said all you said about Evelyn in the first place. You picked on her, and she returned the favor. Everyone else simply enjoyed the show you began," Derek said, and Sandra frowned. "Are you taking Evelyn's side?" She asked with displeasure.

"I'm merely stating a fact. You shouldn't have done any of that in public. You embarrassed me. And honestly, I regret coming here with you tonight, he said, eyeing her with disapproval. Realizing that Der Derek I was mad at her, she quickly flashed him an apologetic smile, "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to do that. Evelyn just got on my nerves, and I was only trying to defend Michael..." "That's not an excuse for the show you put up out there," Derek insisted. "I'm sure this is what Evelyn wanted. She said all of that to make us argue and fight..."

"You're obsessed with Evelyn, aren't you? Is it that you can't have a proper conversation without bringing her up? You know what? I'm done with all of this. You can find your way home yourself," Derek said irritably as he unlocked his car, and Sandra's eyes widened in dismay as she quickly grabbed his arm. "I'm sorry. I'm sorry, Derek. I promise never to bring her up in our conversations. I'm sorry. Please don't leave me out here," she begged, tears springing to her eyes.

I

Derek eyed her for a moment before letting out a sigh, "Get into the car, and I will take you back home," he said and got into the car without bothering to get her door as he had done earlier. Sandra immediately got into the car, wondering what she was going to do now about her plan to get Derek drunk so he could have sex with her.

"You must think I'm a terrible person, right? I'm sorry," she said after they had driven in silence for a while, but Derek said nothing.

He had deliberately acted like he was upset so he could drop her off at home and not have to spend any more time with her. He planned to return to keep an eye on Evelyn's 'abduction' so he could ensure that nothing would go wrong.

"I'm not as bad as you think, Derek. I'm sorry for what happened in there. How about I buy you a drink to make it up to you? Let's not waste the night or our outfit, she suggested.

"I'm not in the mood for your company or a drink. Let's just call it a night," he said, and she pouted.

"De.."

"It's been a long week, Sandra, and I don't need this. I'm only taking you home because I told your parents I will bring you back. Don't provoke me into dropping you off by the roadside," Derek warned harshly. Getting Derek to stop being mad at her was more important than getting him drunk. He was going to propose to her soon, anyway.

And with Evelyn and Michael out of the picture, she wouldn't need to fear anything, Sandra told herself as she pressed her lips together.

As he drove, Derek thought about Sandra's conversation with the Hitman just now. She had called while he was on a call with the detective, and the Hitman had placed the call on speaker.

What did Sandra mean by wanting Evelyn to suffer? Did she want the hitman to inflict the pain on Evelyn, or did she want to do it herself?

If Sandra wanted to make Evelyn suffer and decided to show up to do it herself, that meant they were going to have to change their plans and not wait until his mother's birthday to arrest her, as Evelyn wanted.

Away from there, Inside Rayna's bakery, Evelyn and Rayna excused themselves from the others and went into Rayna's office.

"You did well out there, Evie. I'm proud of you," Rayna said as they sat down, and Evelyn smiled.

"It felt good talking to her that way," Evelyn admitted, "Thank you for what you did with the seat arrangement," Evelyn said, and Rayna giggled.

"I did it for myself. Unlike you, I can't stand seeing Sandra next to Derek. It's bad for my heart, Rayna said, and Evelyn laughed softly.

"I wonder why Michael keeps calling," Evelyn said, glancing at her phone when it vibrated with yet another call from him.

"Derek probably knows why," Rayna said, and Evelyn nodded. It had seemed so earlier.

"Seeing how Sandra left with her tail tucked between her legs in defeat, I'm sure she wants your head now," Rayna said as she walked over to the little bar in her office.

"Yeah. I'm a little anxious" Evelyn confessed as she sighed deeply.

"That's why you need a little drink to relax," Rayna said, but Evelyn shook her head before Rayna could pour some wine into a second glass for her.

"I can't take alcohol," she said, stopping Rayna.

"Why not? Don't worry. You won't get drunk.."

"It's not that, Ray. I'm pregnant," she said quietly.

Rayna's eyes widened in surprise, "What?" She screeched with a happy laugh, and Evelyn smiled, grateful for her friend's excitement.

"Why didn't you say so before now? Oh, Evie! I'm so happy for you.

Congratulations," Rayna said as she hurried over to embrace Evelyn.

"Derek must be over the moon," Rayna said, and then paused before Evelyn could respond, "If you're pregnant, why are you putting up this whole stressful show for Sandra?" Evelyn sighed, "I only found out about the pregnancy before coming here," she said, and Rayna frowned. "Does that mean Derek doesn't know about it yet?" She asked, and Evelyn nodded.

"I plan to tell him after all this is over.."

"After what is over? The reunion, right? I'm sure that's what you mean," Rayna said, not wanting to believe that Evelyn was thinking of hiding the pregnancy from Derek for weeks.

Evelyn looked at Rayna, "You think I should tell him about it immediately and not wait until after Sandra's arrest?" Evelyn asked, and Rayna smiled.

"You can only tell him about it after Sandra's arrest if she is being arrested tonight. But you should tell him about that tonight if that's not the case. Derek should know about it at once. You kept his daughter from him for six years, and you want to keep this pregnancy from him for weeks, too?" Rayna asked, and Evelyn rolled her eyes.

"Stop being dramatic. I didn't keep Sam from him for six years. I didn't even know who he was," she said defensively.

"We are saying the same thing. Tell him tonight, Evie. He should know," Rayna said, and Evelyn sighed.

"Alright. I will take your advice since you always seem to give the best advice," she said, and Rayna smiled. "Good. Now, I will find you something safe to drink, and we will celebrate."