Billionaire’s

Chapter 27

Michael who had been thinking all morning about how to get more information on Evelyn and Derek’s interview arrangement decided to go speak with Derek’s secretary since he believed she would know all about their appointments,

If he could find out the next time Evelyn would be stopping by to meet with Derek, then he could easily arrange to tail her when she leaves.

He frowned when he got to Derek’s office lobby and saw that his secretary was not in her seat. Text property © Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org.

y was inside the office with Derek, and not wanting to leave without getting the information he came for, he decided to

Assuming that the secretary was go into Derek’s office.

He knocked once on the door, and without waiting for a response, he opened the door and stepped in.

He stopped in his tracks when he saw Evelyn seated there with Derek. Although her presence ignited a spark of anger in Michael, he didn’t let it show and instead, he pasted a polite smile on his face.

Derek and Evelyn who had been in the middle of a conversation looked up when Michael walked in, and Evelyn suppressed a scowl.

*I wasn’t expecting you this morning.” Derek said as Michael walked further into the office after closing the door behind him.

“I’m sorry to barge in…

“You don’t have to apologize, Derek said and then turned to Evelyn whom he thought had no idea who Michael was

“Eve? This is Michael, my cousin, and Michael, this…

“There’s no need for the introductions. We already met, Michael said turning to smile at Evelyn who couldn’t help but wish she could knock the smile off Michael’s face.

“Really?” Derek asked, giving Evelyn a questioning look and Evelyn offered a polite nod to Derek.

“Yes, we’ve met. I will be waiting outside since you have company,” She said as she rose.

Derek gave her a nod, and she walked away, her movement graceful and composed

As the door closed behind her, Michael turned back to Derek, who gestured to him to sit down. “Are you having the interview already?” Michael asked as he sardown.

Derek shook his head. “No, not yet. Evelyn is working closely with me to get a better understanding of me. I want her to be as objective as possible in whatever she writes. At the end of our month together, she would have gotten all the answers to her questions about me and the interview would merely be a mere formality,” Derek sald and Michael nodded, suppressing a delighted smile.

He was more than pleased with this information since it meant he and Sandra had ample time to put their plan into motion. That sounds thorough I guess this is your way of controlling what is put out about you,” he said and Derek nodded.

“Exactly, I would hate for false news to be put out there, Derek said and Michael nodded.

That makes sense. Anyway, I stopped by because I wanted to thank you for agreeing said and Derek waved it off:

“It’s the least I could do,” Derek said and Michael nodded.

to attend the anniversary party y with me. It means a lot,” he

“Thanks once again. I will get going then and leave you

you to your work, Michael said as he rose.

“Did you really come all the way here just to thank me! Derek asked and Michael chuckled

or

course. That’s so tell you how much it means to me that you honored my request. It’s not an easy feat getting the elusive Derek Stone to attend

a party. And it’s even more satisfying knowing that you’ll be making your appearance at the party before the interview, Michael said and Derek chuckled in amusement.

“As long as there won’t be any cameras or interviews at the party, we are good, Derek sadd and Michael nodded.

“Nothing of the sort. Only premium entertainment, Michael assured him before heading for the door. Things were fallin

were falling into place perfectly, Michael thought with a satisfied smile as he stepped out of the office.

When he saw Evelyn seated in the waiting area and busy with her phone, he approached her, his expression carefully neutral. “Hello, Evie,” called and Evelyn looked up, her face unreadable.

he

Thought I

Lasked you not to talk to me when you see me?” She asked irritably

“Why are you so mean to me, Evie! Shouldn’t I be the one behaving this way towards you? You’re the one who broke things off between us, not inc. We don’t have to be enemies just because things didn’t work out between us. Whatever I did to make you change your mind about marrying me, I’m sorry. And you should know I didn’t tell Derek about our past so you can relax. I don’t mean you any harm. I still want what’s best for you,‘ he said and Evelyn’s lips curved in a mirthless smile.

It was obvious he was playing the victim and trying to pretend to be good to her. She needed to be cautious now more than ever. She thought as she looked at him, her brows perfectly arched in a questioning manner.

“Am I supposed to thank you for doing me a favor?” she asked and Michael shook his head.

“I didn’t say that. I’m just trying to say we should forget the past. You know what? Why don’t we catch a drink sometime? You know, clear the air properly,” he suggested and Evelyn’s smile faded, replaced by a steely look.

“I don’t know what you’re thinking but that will never happen. If I planned to ever catch a drink with you in the future, then I wouldn’t have bothered calling off our wedding in the first place. I do not want anything to do with you, not now. Not ever. warned in a slightly raised voice and Michael raised his hands in a gesture of surrender as he stepped back

Keep your distance, Michael,” she

“Okay, okay. No need to raise your voice. Point taken, Michael said and then turned and walked away, his mind already working on the next steps of their plan.

Evelyn watched him leave, suspicion clouding her thoughts. What was Michael really up to? And why wasn’t he telling Derek about their past? Why was he trying to act nice! She mused.

Should she just go ahead and tell Derek about their past!