The Billionaire's Unexpected Proposal by Samantha

Chapter 171

As they reached the Quinns residence, Derek pulled the car to a stop without looking at her. He barely waited for

her to unbuckle her seatbelt before unlocking the doors. His gaze remained fixed forward, expression

unreadable.

"Thank you, Derek," Sandra said, her voice low, hoping he would soften.

But Derek didn't respond. Instead, he turned his face away from her and waited. She opened the door, pausing

as though she expected him to say something, anything but he only stared straight ahead. With a frustrated

sigh, Sandra climbed out of the car and closed the door. The moment it shut, Derek drove away, leaving Sandra

staring after him in the dim light of the front porch.

As he pulled away from the house, Derek felt a wave of relief wash over him. She was finally out of the car, and

he could breathe again.

He reached for his phone, dialing Evelyn's number as he turned onto the empty street leading back toward

Rayna's bakery.

The phone rang twice before Evelyn picked up, her voice a little calm and warm. "D? Has she left?" Evelyn asked

as she excused herself from the group of ladies she had been chatting with.

"Yeah, | dropped her off," he said, feeling a smile tug at the corner of his lips as he thought about the exchange

between Evelyn and Sandra at the bakery. "You handled her really well earlier, by the way. That was impressive."

Evelyn chuckled softly. "I was just hoping I didn't go too far and embarrass you."

Derek's smile softened. "Oh, trust me, | had fun. Honestly, | was probably just as entertained as everyone else in

there. You were fire."

Evelyn's laughter drifted through the line, light and genuine. "Glad | could amuse you. | had fun, too... but | don't

know, | feel a bit anxious about everything now that I've provoked her even more."

Derek didn't respond right away, remembering what he'd overheard Sandra say to the hitman. For a split second,

he considered telling Evelyn the details but held back, deciding against it; she was already tense, and he didn't

want to add to her anxiety. "Hey, don't worry. I'm not going to leave you alone in this, okay? Im actually planning

to hang around until the reunion is over so | can take you back myself. | don't think | can rest easy letting anyone

else pick you up as we planned."

Evelyn let out a small sigh of relief. "Thank you, D. That makesfeel a lot better." She paused before adding,

"By the way, do you know why Michael calledearlier? He kept calling, and it just felt strange."

Derek's jaw tightened, but he kept his tone calm. "It wasn't exactly Michael. The call was part of Sandra's plan.

She told the hitman to call from Michael's phone to make it look like he was the last person you heard from

before you... disappeared." Evelyn shuddered involuntarily and took a slow breath, processing his words. "I have

to admit, Sandra is disturbingly thorough with her plans." "Just relax," he told her gently. "Enjoy the night, okay?

I'll be nearby when you're ready to leave."

"Alright, I'll let you know when I'm done. And actually, | have something to tell you," Evelyn said, her voice laced

with a hint of mystery.

"Oh? What is it?" Derek asked, his curiosity piqued.

"You will find out when | see you," she said with a small smile.

Derek groaned. "You shouldn't have brought it up if you weren't going to tellnow. Now I'm dying to know. Can

you givea hint?" Is it something good or bad?" He asked, wondering if it had anything to do with her

behavior at hearlier. She chuckled softly. "It's not exactly something bad... but | suppose it will be up to you

to decide how you feel about it." "What does that even mean?" He asked with an amused smile.

Evelyn only smiled through the phone. "It means | can't tell you now. It's not really a conversation for over the

phone. You'll understand when we talk."

"Now you've really gotwondering." He laughed, shaking his head. "What if | just pop in there and pretend I'm

mad at you for embarrassing Sandra, just to drag you out and make you tell me?"

Evelyn laughed at his idea, her voice light and free. "That wouldn't make any sense at all. You can wait a little

while. I'll be out soon, | promise."

"How soon is soon?" Derek asked, a hint of impatience in his tone.

"An hour" she replied, sounding a bit hesitant as though she were estimating.

"An hour?" he echoed, pretending to sound outraged.

"Yeah. | think I've been on the phone long enough. | need to join the others."

"Tellthe truth-is any of the guys flirting with you in there?" Derek asked suspiciously.

Evelyn chuckled. "You must think everyone is like you. Why do you ask?"

"Because you're in a hurry to leaveand go talk to someone else. | saw sguys checking you outearlier-

especially that one who asked if you had a kid," Derek said, and she laughed outright. "Oh, really? Don't tell me

you're jealous," Evelyn said with a grin.

Derek raised a brow. "How can | not be jealous when | have the most beautiful woman in my life? | don't want

anyone else looking at her."

Evelyn laughed again, a warm sound that melted his heart. "Don't worry. No one but you could hold my

attention. Besides, you saw how Rayna was full of praises for you tonight," she said, and Derek shook his head,

chuckling. "That friend of yours is really something, you know? | owe her big time. She's wonderful," Derek said,

and Evelyn grinned as she looked across the room at Rayna, who was busy interacting with the others.

"Yes, she is an Angel. I'm so lucky to have her in my corner, Evelyn said, and grinned when Rayna caught her

gaze across the room and winked at her.

"Well, you're the only Angel | know, and I can't wait for everything to end so | can make us public. That way,

everyone can stay away from you," Derek said, his voice a low murmur.

Evelyn giggled. "And everyone can stay away from you too. It goes both ways. Now, can | go back to join the

party? You haveto yourself every day, but | don't know when else I'm going to see everyone here this way."

Derek felt his chest swell at her words about having her to himself.

"Alright. Go have fun. I'll be waiting. | love you," he said softly, his voice carrying the depth of his feelings.

Evelyn's voice softened. "I love you too. I'll see you soon."