Billionaire’s

After the call with Rayna, Sandra pared around

ler mind raced as she pareilback and forth, her heels clicking against the flour.

Ber continuation with Berlyn had gor disastrously wrong. She hadn’t expected Evelyn to be so prepared, so ready to counter lier move. Sandra clenched her fists, trying to calm the anger sinanering just beneath the surface. The thought of Evelyn sitting confidently at the breakfau table. basking in their father’s approval, made her blood boil.

it what to do next. She stopped paring and glanced at her plone on the desk.

She needed to talk to Michael, to vent her frustrations, and to figure out wi her fingers thing to dal Micharl’s number

But a part of her hesitated. Should she call him or go to his office? After all, he was just as much involved in able to offer a solution if they talked face–to–face.

way, and he might be NôvelDrama.Org © content.

Michael laid and they y should limit physical meetings to avoid raising suspicions, and she didn’t want to risk anything that might

chances with Derek

jeopardize her

Sandra resummed pacing, chewing on her lower lip as she weighed her options. The more she thought about it, the more she agreed that calling was the better choice. It was saler and more discreet.

With a frustrated sigh, Sandra grabbed her phone and dialed Michael’s number. She tapped her lingers impatiently on the desk as she waited for him to pick up.

Michael answered on the first ring, his voice calm and collected. “I was just about to call you,” he said.

“You won’t believe what Evelyn did to me this morning” she said, her voice trembling with barely contained anger.

“What d

did you do?” Michael askes, his tone sharpening with interest. He knew Evelyn enough to know she wasn’t someone who stirred trouble unless she was attacked first.

“What do you mean what did I do!” Sandra snapped.

“Because I’m sure Evely

“Are you

sure Evelyn wouldn’t just do something if you didn’t do anything first. So, what did you do?” Michael repeated.

taking her side right now?” Sandra asked in disbelief.

“I’m merely stating a fact. Tell me exactly what happened” Michael ordered.

Although Sandra sidn’t like Michael’s tone, she went on to tell him how Evelyn had shown up during breakfast, she recorded our conversation. Michael! And then she played it for our parents! I was blindsided, completely humiliated!” Sandra’s voice rose as she relived the scene, the sting of her parents‘ disappointment still fresh in her mind.

There was a brief silence on the other end of the line before Michael spoke. “Why were you so careless, Sandra“

Sandra’s face flushed with anger. “How was I supposed to know she was recording me? It’s not like she’s ever done that before! How can you be defending her right now?” Her grip tightened around the phone, her knuckles turning white.

“Tin not defending ber! You should have known better than to talk to Evelyn like that, especially in a place where anyone could be listening. You were careless to have that conversation with Evelyn in the dining room of all places. Anyone could have overheard you, Michael said, his tone edges with frustration.

Sandra huffed, her anger not directed at him this time but at the situation. That’s not the problem right now. The problem is that I don’t want Evelyn back at the family magazine. She’ll ruin everything!”

Michael sighed, his voice calm but fin. “You need to make a choice, Sandra. You can’t have both Derek and the magazine. You need to decide what’s more important to you.”

1

Sandra’s breath caught in her throat “Why can’t I have both?” she demanded, her voice rising in desperation. “I want both Michael And I don’t want Evelyn getting either of them or getting in my way!”

There was a pause on the other end of the line, and Sandra could almost picture Michael rubbing his temples in exasperation. “Sandra, have you considered the fact i keeping Evelyn close might actually work in your favor? We will know where she is now, and that’s an advantage. If she’s at

magazine.

t, you can keep a close eye on her and control wil she does. It’s better to have her where you can see her than letting her run around unchecked

Sandra lell silent, considering his words. As much as she hated the idea of Evelyn close incant she could monitor her every inove, sabotage her work, and ensure that no one respected her.

working at the magazine, Michael had a point. Having Earlyn

“You’re right,” Nauclea finally abutted, a slow side spreading across her face as the plan took shape in her mund. “I need to keep my enemy cl

11545 A

“Exactly,” Michael said, his voice smooth and reassuring, “If you play your cards right, you can run Evelyn’s credibility at the magazine. Make her a laughingstock. Once she loses respect there, even her father will see that you’re the better choice.”

Sandra’s smile widened, the tension in her shoulders easing as she imagined Evelyn’s downfall. “Td like to see that happen

“Good. Now stop worrying about Evelyn. I’ve missed you. I want us to meet Michael’s voice took on a more seductive tone

Sandra hesitated for a moment, “You know we shouldn’t meet too often. We agreed it’s too risky,” Sandra reminded him, her mind still racing with the possibilities their conversation had opened up.

“Not at my place,” Michael countered smoothly. “We’ll meet somewhere else, I miss you, baby. I want a taste of you

Sandra let out a soft laugh, though her mind was already shifting gears. “I can’t meet tonight. I’m supposed to see Rayna.”

“Rayna‘ Why are you meeting with her?” Michael’s voice sharpened with suspicion

Sandra leaned back in her chair, twirling a strand of hair around her finger. “Our class reunion is taking place next weekend, and I plan to humiliate Evelyn. To do that, I need Rayna on my side.”

Michael sighed in exasperation. “Sandra, you’re wasting time on petty revenge. Forget Evelyn. You should focus on what we’re doing. We’re closer to achieving our goal than ever. You should be focusing on Derek, not this childish vendetta.”

“I am focusing on Derek. That’s why I’m going to make sure he comes to the reunion as my date. I want him to see why I am the better choice,” Sandra said, her voice laced with determination.

“If that’s your plan, then make sure you use one stone to kill two birds. Ensure you get him to sleep with you that night,” Michael said, his tone turning cold and calculating.

“I should have sex with him?” Sandra asked, even though it was already her plan to seduce Derek that night.

“Yes. Once you have slept with him, you can claim you’re pregnant. That will force him to the prospect of a grandchild, and she wouldn’t want him to have one outside wedlock, Michael said, and Sandra’s smile faltered,

marry yo

you quickly. I know his mother will be excited at

“But I won’t be on my ovulation at the time,” she pointed out.

“Are you stupid, Sandra?” Michael’s voice snapped through the phone. I’m not talking about actually having Derek’s child. I’ll be the one to get you pregnant, not him. You’ll just use the excuse to trap him. Don’t get any ideas about having Derek’s baby for real. If you are having anyone’s child,

it’s mine.”

Sandra bit her lip, feeling a mix of anger and excitement at Michael’s controlling tone. “Fine. I’ll do as you say.”

“Good. I’ll text you the location tomorrow. Be ready, Michael said, his voice softening slightly. “And remember, Sandra, keep your eyes on the prize. Derek is the key to everything we want.”

Sandra hung up the phone, her mind buzzing with the plan Michael had laid out for her.

As for Michael, she had no plans to have his baby. Why would she want to have his child when she could have Derek’s baby for real?

She w

would get p

pregnant for Derek and lie to Michael that the child was his. She would play along and focus on getting Derek to fall for her, and then–when the time was right–she’d take Evelyn down for good and cut Michael off, too,