The Billionaire’s Unexpected Proposal (Evelyn and Derek)

Sandra pulled away from Evelyn, a tense smile tugging at the corner of her lips. "Thank you so much, Eve. Thank you for hearing me out and forgiving me," Sandra said, even though she wasn't so sure Evelyn had bought her story. Evelyn smiled, "I'm just glad we can put this behind us. "Me too. Now I can order a drink," Sandra said as she signaled the barman, leaning slightly over the counter.Text property © Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org.

"Can I get a cocktail, please?"

The barman glanced up from polishing a glass and nodded.

"Sure. What kind of cocktail would you like?"

Just as Sandra was about to respond, Rayna suddenly appeared beside her, a wide smile on her face. "Oh, get her the same drink you served us earlier, please," Rayna said cheerfully, sliding into the conversation.

"You're back"" Sandra noted with a forced smile.

"Yeah. I saw you two hugging from across the room and thought, Why not join my favorite duo?" She winked at both of them and leaned her elbows on the bar.

Sandra shot her a weak smile, trying to regain her composure. "Sure. Let's all have the same.""

So,

all is forgiven

and forgotten, right?" Rayna asked Evelyn, who was silent.

Sandra said, reaching for Evelyn's hand.

forced a smile, "Yeah. Forgiven and and forgotten."

Evelyn ford "I'm so happy I could die nas sandra touched her, but she resisted the urge to shudder or reacti Evelyn felt felt her skin crawl as as After mixing Sandra's dra's drink, the barman placed it in front of her, but before she could reach for it, Rayna's eyes twinkled with a playful glint as she gestured toward the entrance. "Hey, Sandy, isn't that your high school crush?" she teased, pointing toward the crowd. "Tyler? Where?" Sandra asked as she and Evelyn instinctively turned to look, their eyes scanning the room. As they did, Rayna subtly switched Sandra's drink with Evelyn's and poured a bit from Sandra's into Evelyn's glass to top it off. The action was swift, unnoticed - except by Evelyn, who had caught the exchange out of the corner of her eye. "That's not Tyler.

They do not even look alike in any way," Sandra said as she turned back. Evelyn calmly reached for the untouched glass meant for Sandra, raising it to her lips and taking a small sip. She met Rayna's gaze knowingly but said nothing. After feeling Sandra's suspicious arm movement during their embrace, she had planned not to touch her drink again and to order something else if need be, but she was glad that Rayna had taken the initiative to switch the drinks; now she could see for herself if Sandra had I put something into her r glass.

Unaware of the switch, Sandra picked up Evelyn's glass and smiled, holding it out. "Let's toast-to sisterhood and friendship," she said, her voice a little brighter than before when she saw that Evelyn was sipping from the drink.

Evelyn smiled tightly, clinking her glass with Sandra's and Rayna's. "To sisterhood and friendship," she repeated, her eyes locking with Rayna's, who gave her a subtle smirk. They all drank in unison, and the tension between the three seemed to ease for a moment. After a few minutes, Evelyn set her glass down and stood up. "I need to use the restroom. I'll be right back," she said casually, stepping away and leaving Sandra and Rayna alone at the bar so she could give Sandra room to plot more with Rayna. As soon as Evelyn was gone, Rayna turned to Sandra with a pleased smile, "That was quick. I'm glad I could help," Rayna said as she picked up her phone casually and turned on the voice recorder. Sandra resisted the urge to roll her eyes as she turned to Rayna. Instead, she smiled sweetly. "Yeah, it was. Thanks for doing this, Ray, but I still need your help with something else," Sandra said quietly. Rayna raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "What is it this time?"

Sand

Sandra leaned in in closer. "Can

Can you pretend something urgent came up and leave? I need to spend more time with Evelyn alone. You know, bonding and making up for lost time. It won't be the same if you're here." Rayna raised a brow, "What about Michael? When is he getting here?" "He's here already. He's in the room I reserved for them..."

"Michael is s aware that you're bringing Evelyn to the room?" Rayna asked curiously.

"Yeah. Of course. I promised him I was going to help him talk to Evelyn," Sandra assured her. "I will get Evelyn to go back to the room with me so I can lock her up with Michael. That way, they can talk things over," Sandra explained. Rayna stared at her for a moment, then shook her head slowly. "Why would you risk everything for that? You just reconciled with her. If she finds out you did this because of Michael, you'll lose her trust forever." Sandra f a frowned, her voice becoming more insistent. "Trust Ray. I have a

me.

a plan. Just do this for me."

Rayna hesitated, her fingers drumming on the bar. "I don't know, Sandy. This feels like a terrible idea."

Before Sandra could respond, she began to feel a strange drowsiness wash over her. Her eyelids fluttered, and she blinked rapidly, trying to stay awake. "I... I don't know why I feel so tired," she mumbled to herself, rubbing her temples. Was she feeling this way because of the little sip she had taken from the wine at the suite earlier? Was the medication that potent?" Rayna's expression changed to one of concern. "Are you okay?"

Sandra nodded slowly but couldn't shake the heaviness in her limbs. "Yeah."

Just then, Evelyn returned, her sharp gaze immediately taking in Sandra's sluggish movements. She shot Rayna a meaningful look.

Sandra turned d to Evelyn and signaled

"Ray? Are you "

Evelyn raised a brow,"

"You should go. I'll be fine with Evelyn."

between the

the two women.

Rayna going," she said as she rose.

I and as they embraced Rayna whispered to her that she would be outside with Derek.

reall. Something came up- I should get Evelyn nod Once Rayna was out of sight, Sandra yawned as she looked at Evelyn, wondering why she wasn't feeling drowsy yet. Figuring that Evelyn had not drunk enough yet, she sluggishly suggested, "Let's finish our cocktails and head up to my room." "Your room? You have a room here? What for?" "Evelyn asked innocently. "Yeah. I told you I left home because k couldn't face Mom and Dad. I had a long, terrible day. I feel really exhausted, but I don't want tonight to end yet. So, let's go up to my room and chat for a bit. Drink up," Sandra urged Evelyn. Evelyn agreed, and both of them downed their drinks. As Sandra finished hers, she blinked hard, her vision blurring. A wave of confusion swept over her. "Why... aren't you feeling sleepy?" she asked, her words slurring slightly. Evelyn smiled smiled faintly, her eyes gleaming. "Why should I feel sleepy? I don't have a job yet, remember? I don't feel as exhausted as you."

"But you're supposed to be feeling sleepy," Sandra said, not understanding what was happening.

Evelyn laughed softly, "Am I? Oh, did you, by chance, put anything in my drink? Perhaps that's why you're feeling drowsy. I might have switched our drinks mistakenly."

Although

she was struggling to keep her eyes open, she managed to look surprised, "You... switched them?" she stammered, her voice filled with disbelief as the realization hit her.

Evelyn nodded, leaning in closer, her voice cold. "You really think I'd fall for your cheap tricks? Fool me once; shame on you. Fool me twice; shame on me."

Sandra tried to speak but couldn't form the words. Her body slumped against the bar as exhaustion overtook her, and within moments, she was out cold, her head resting on her folded arms.

Evelyn calmly reached for her phone and dialed Derek.

Moments later, Derek and Rayna arrived at the bar, their expressions concerned.

Evelyn gestured toward Sandra, who was now fast asleep.

"I need to take her to the room," she said, her tone steady.

"Sure. Let's do

ו"

Sure. Let's that..."

t need

that...

I your help to get her out of here, but I don't want you to get involved once we're there. Just assist me in getting her to the room."

Derek frowned. "What if something goes wrong?"

Evelyn waved off his concern. "Rayna can wait outside the door, and you can stay some feet away. I'll handle the rest. If she planned for something to happen, there could be a camera in the room. I don't want it capturing either of you."

With a shared glance, Derek and Rayna nodded, and together, they helped Evelyn carry Sandra to the hotel suite since Derek knew the suite number from the text Michael had sent to Sandra.

Once they reached the door to the suite where Michael was already knocked out, Evelyn dragged Sandra inside and laid her on the bed next to him. She paused for a moment, shaking her head at the sight of both of them unconscious.

Before leaving, Evelyn pulled out her phone and snapped a picture of Sandra and Michael together on the bed, the perfect evidence of their so-called "reconciliation." Satistied, she quietly slipped out of the room, leaving them both in their compromised positions. Evelyn met Derek and Rayna outside the room, a small, triumphant smile on her lips. "Let's go," she said simply, and the three of them walked away, leaving Sandra and Michael to deal with the aftermath.