Billionaire’s

As the Elevator door closed behind Derek and Sandra, Derek casually leaned against the wall, his mind already working on the next steps.

He slipped his phone out of his pocket and quickly composed a text to Evelyn Taking Sandra to lunch. 1just sent you something important. Check it out when you can.]

With a swift motion, he forwarded the recorded conversation to Evelyn, ensuring she had all the evidence he had just acquired since it had everything to do with the both of them.

As he slipped his phone back into his pocket, he turned his attention to Sandra. “Did you come in your car?” he asked, his tone light as if the question was merely a formality.

“Yes, I drove. Why?” She asked with a cheerful smile.

Although the day had started out in such a shitty way, she was happy being with Derek this way and having him take her to lunch.

“I was thinking it might be easier if we took separate cars, so you don’t have to come back just to pick up yours. That way, you can go straight to your office,” he explained, not wanting to endure her company in the drive to the restaurant,

Sandra’s expression faltered for a moment, but she quickly recovered, her voice taking on a playful lit. “Oh, Derek, you’re such a gentleman. But I really don’t mind. I enjoy spending time with you. We can go together, and I just come back here with you afterward.”

Derek’s smile was polite, hiding the mild irritation he felt at her insistence. Before he could respond, the elevator dinged softly, signaling their arrival on the ground floor. The doors slid open, revealing the busy lobby of the office building.

As they stepped out, their eyes immediately landed on Michael, who was approaching the elevator. The surprise on Michael’s face was almost comical as he took in the sight of Sandra by Derek’s side.

“Sandra,” Michael greeted, his tone laced with mild confusion.”

“What are you doing here?”

Sandra’s heart skipped a beat. She had acted without informing Michael. “I just came to make sure Derek wasn’t mad at me anymore. You know how I hate it when we’re not on good terms.

Michael’s eyes flicked to Derek, who was watching the exchange with a neutral expression. “My feelings are hurt. You cared about Derek so much and didn’t even stop by to say hello to me?” Michael asked, clearly taken aback by Sandra’s boldness.

Sandra shook her head, her hair bouncing slightly with the motion. “I planned to come over and say hello to you when we come back from lunch, Sandra assured him with a sugary, sweet smile,

Derek decided to step in before the tension could escalate “We’re heading out for lunch, Mike. Care to join us His offer was casual, but all he wanted was to see how Michael would react.

Michael shook his head, a tight smile on his lips. Thanks, but I’ve already got plans. You two enjoy yourselves”

Derek nodded, watching as Michael walked away, his posture stiff. As soon as he was out of sight, Derek turned to Sandra, his voice light. “Shall we?” Sandra beamed up at him, “Let’s go.”

She was not going to worry abour Michael. If Derek loved her, that was all she needed. She knew that Michael would never expose her. Not when doing that would mean exposing himself since they were partners in crime.

They walked out of the building together, the sun shining brightly overhead as they made their way to Derek’s car. The drive to the restaurant was filled with small talk–Sandra prattling on about work while Derek responded with polite, if distant, interest

Now that he was in a relationship with Evelyn, he found it even more difficult to pretend to like Sandra as he had done the last time. He wasn’t even in the mood to hear her talk.

Once they arrived at the restaurant, a chic place that Sandra had suggested, they were promptly seated at a secluded table.

As they settled into their sears, Sandra wasted no time, her tone taking on a slightly accusatory edge. “So. I was meaning to ask you. Why did you let Evelyn answer your call the other day!”

Derek raised an eyebrow, caught off guard by the sudden change in her demeanor. “I was driving,” he explained calmly. I don’t take calls when I drive, so I asked her to answer the phone. I didn’t know it was you

Sandra pouted her lips forming a slight frown. “You could have called me back instead of letting her handle it Derek suppressed a sigh, keeping his tone even. “Llirn’t think it was a big deal. But if it upset you, I apologize:

Sandra seemed to accept his apology, Init her expression remained wary. “Is it true that you’re still doing the interview! Why are you so determines in have Evelyn do ar I could rasily handle it, you know?”

p my private life.

Herck leaned back in his chair, taking a moment before responding. “Evelyn and 1 hail an agreement. Besides, I prefer to keep my work separate”

Sandra’s pout deepened, and there was a flicker of something darker in her eyes. “Tin just worried that Evelyn will try to seduce you under the guise

of the interview”

Drock kepe li

has expression neutral. “Don’t Michael tell you what I told him?”

Sandra’s frown deepened in confusion. “What did you tell Michael

Derek leaned forward slightly, his voice lowering. “I told him that I was in love with Evelyn and that I wanted her to do the interview because I wanted to get to know her. That after seeing how she treated you and how she’s been acting. I realized she’s not suitable for me. I’ve moved on frum her. Saralra. That’s why I’m interested in you now”

Sandra’s eyes widened, a mixture of surprise and pleasure washing over her features. “Is that true?” she asked, her voice almost breathless.

Derek nodded, his expression sincere. “Yes. So, there’s no need to worry about Evelyn anymore. She’s not a threat”.

Sandra looked partially mollied, but there was still a hint of bitterness in her at the tho

thought that Derek had ever liked Evelyn in the first place. She reached into her bag and pulled out her phone. “Can we take a picture together?” she asked with a smile, her tone almost coaxing Derek smiled tightly, shaking his head as he wondered what she was thinking now. “You know I’m not a fan of taking pictures” Sandra posted again but quickly shrugged it off “Okay, I understand

The waiter arrived then, interrupting the moment as he took their orders. Once the waiter left, Sandra leaned forward, her lips curling in a scowl.

“Tactually came to see you because I was sort of upset, Evelyn Sandra said, and Derek’s eyebrows lifted in interest.

came over to the house this morning. She caused some problems for me at home,

What kind of problems?” He asked, wanting to hear what she would say,

Sandra sighed dramatically, her expression one of false innocence. “She lied against me and tried to turn our parents against me. She has always been jealous of me, but it’s getting worse now that you’re in the picture. Im worried she will try to seduce you. Derek. She even told me she was going to get you at all costs because you’re wer

wealthy

Derek’s eyes narrowed slightly, but his tone remained calm. “I find that hard to believe, Sandra. If Evelyn wanted me for my money, she would have had me a long time ago. And I think you should stop talking to me about Evelyn- it’s unattractive.”

Surprised flickered in her eyes at his harsh words, but she quickly flashed him a sweet smile. “You’re right. Derek. I shouldn’t let her get to me! “Yeah. You shouldn’t. You should focus on talking about yourself to me instead of filling my head with Evelyn, Derek said, and she nodded. “By the way. I was wondering will you be able to attend my class reunion with me next weekend?” she asked, changing the subject.

Derek hesitated, but when he remembered the details of the recording he had just forwarded to Evelyn, he nodded. “With y there,” he said with a carefully calculated smile.

you!

Of course, 1 be

He needed to make sure Evelyn was safe, and if attending this reunion was the way to do it, then he would play along. He had no intention of letting her get away with whatever she was planning for Evelyn.

Sandra’s eyes lit up with excitement, and she squeezed his hand across the table. I’m so happy you’re coming. Derek. It’s going to be a wonderful night

As lunch progressed, she chartered on about the resinion, Derek played his role perfectly, nodding and smiling of all the right moments. Bur beneath the surface, his mind was racing, and he was already strategizing his next inove.

He needed to be ready for whatever Sandra had in store for him, too, since he knew she plained to make him sleep with her and claim she was

Hat for now, he would let Sandra believe she was winning. After all, the best way to defeat an opponent was to make them thank they were in corded and lie was a master at thet ge

Can the other hand, Sandra was blissfully unaware, Jost in her fantasies of winning Derek over completely. She had no idea that Derek was only playing along to pintout ile wontan he truly cared about – Evelyn