Billionaire’s

As Michael drove back home, he thought about what Derek had said about trying to seduce Evelyn, and he snorted. Over his dead body, he thought. There was no way he was ever going to let anything happen between Derek and Evelyn. The very idea made his blood bol

Thinking about it again, he began to wonder if Sandra had lied to him earlier. If Evelyn truly wanted Derek, why hadn’t she made a move? She knew Derek had feelings for her, so what was stopping her? The more he thought about it, the more unsented he became.

Mharl’s thoughts drifted back to the first few times he had run into Evelyn at the company and the way she had acted. It all made sense now that Evelyn had acted that way because she knew Derek was interested in her. Was she playing some sort of game, testing their boundaries

He shook his head to rid himself of those thoughts. None of it mattered anymore. Evelyn had lost her job at Empowered, and Derek had no reason to meet with her again. Michael allowed himself a small satisfied smile at the thought. Derek had said it himself- there was no longer any connection between them. As far as Michael was concerned, that chapter was closed.

Yet, the smile faded as quickly as it came when Sandra came to mind. Michael’s expression darkened as his thoughts shifted to her. Something about Sandra wasn’t sisting right with him. He couldn’t shake the nagging feeling that she was up to something, plotting behind his back. Her decision to visit Evelyn at her office- careless, reckless–kept gnawing at him. What was she thinking!

Michael’s jaw clenched. Talking to her was not enough. He needed to put Sandra in check. It was clear that she needed to be kept on a much tighter leash. Perhaps it was time to find some leverage–something to hold over her that would guarantee her loyalty and obedience. He couldn’t afford any surprises.

With that thought in mind. Michael reached for his phone, ready to call Sandra and arrange a meeting the next day. But when he picked up the device, something felt off. He glanced at the screen, and his brow furrowed in confusion. The wallpaper was different. His phone didn’t have a floral background. What the hell!

up

His boss pulled together when he pressed his thumb against the fingerprint sensor, but the phone refused to unlock. Panic bubbled as he tried again, only to be met with the same renilt Swearing under his breath, Michael pulled over to the side of the road, his fingers flying over inside him

the keypad as he entered his password. The screen remained stubbornly locked

Frustration mounted as he looked closer at the phone. It was slightly different from his, just enough that he realized with dawning horror that this wasn’t his phone at all. It was someone else’s.

He cursed loudly, his pulse racing as he recalled the brief encounter with the woman he’d bumped into earlier. Could it be? Flad they somehow switched phones! He mentally retraced his steps to the hotel, remembering how she had been going in as he was coming out. There was no doubt about it—they had swapped phones

Without wasting another second. Michael turned the car around and headed back toward the hotel. He prayed that the woman was a guest there and that she hadn’t gone far. If he could just get in touch with her using Derek’s phone, maybe she’d answer if he called his own phone and brought is back to him. He needed to fix the error at once.

The tension in his chest cased slightly as he pulled up to the hotel. He hurried inside, heading straight for Derek’s suite. There was no time to lose. He rang the bell impatience thrumming through his veins.

Inside the suite, Derek had just stepped out of the shower with a towel wrapped loosely around his waist as he prepared to settle down for the night. He had a phone call to make one he’d been looking forward to all evening. Evelyn. He smiled to himself as he reached for his phone, but the sound of the doorbell pulled him from his thoughts

Derek paused. Who could that bet His eyes narrowed as he approached the door, checking the peephole. A smirk tugged at his lips when he saw Michael standing outside.

After contacting the hackers, he had told them he wanted the job done as soon as possible and had promised to double their fee if they were able to get it done before the end of the week,

When they told him they needed a way to get Michael’s phone so that they could clone his SIM card, Derek had told them he was meeting with Michael later that evening, and they could wait around at the lounge and find a way to get the phone from Michael after their meeting

The Hackers had called Derek earlier to inform him that they had gotten Michael’s phone, so he could guess why Michael was standing outside his door.

Instead of answering the doce. De

“How’s it going Derek asked, his voice low.

door, Derek returned to his bathroom with his phone. He dialed the number of the Hacker to find out how far they had

“Good. Hr’s herr now. Make sure you finish up quickly and re

return the phone to him. Don’t make it look suspicious.”

“We’re almost done” the hacker replied. Just a few more minutes.

After ending the call, Derek draped a towel over his shoulders and opened the door, greeting Michael with a wide, disarming smile. “Mike? What brings you back here! I thought you left already. Derek asked as he stepped aside to let Michael in.

swapped Michael’s face was set in a scowl as he stepped into the suite. “I bumped into some woman earlier, and I didn’t realize it at the time, but we phones He held up the unfamiliar device in his hand. “I was hoping I could use your phone to call her.”

Before Deck could respond, the phone in Michael’s hand began to ring. Both men glanced down at the screen. The name ‘Baby‘ flashed acros and Michael’s soul deepened as he quickly answered the call.

Derek watched with barely concealed amusement as Michael spoke tersely into the phone. When Michael hung up, he turned to Derek with a heepsh expression. That was her fiancé. He wants me to meet him in the parking lot to exchange the phones.”

Pck nodded.

“That’s a relief. Do you want me to come with you!” Derek offered, and Michael shook his head.

“Nah. I’ve got it. I’ll be on my way now. Thanks anyway,” Michael said, and Derek gave him a nod as he saw him off to the door.

After shutting the door behind Michael, Derek chuckled quietly. The whole situation couldn’t have played out better if he had planned it himself. The phone was cloned, and Michael was none the wiser. Now, Derek had access to all of Michael’s calls and texts, a crucial step in their plan. He washed he had thought of hacking Michaels phone earlier.

He sunk onto the bed, his thoughts shifting to Evelyn. Grinning to himself, he dialed her number, eager to hear her voice.

“Hey” she answered after the second ring, her tone warm.

“Hello, darling,” Derek responded, his grin widening at the sound of her giggle. He could practically hear the smile in her voice.

“What have you been up to Evelyn asked since he had said he had a lot to do when he left.

Derek leaned back again the headboard, relaxing as he recounted his day. “I met with the hackers.

“I thought you said you spoke with them before coming over,” Evelyn cut in

“Yeah. That was over the phone. After seeing Samantha, I decided to see them in person to let them know how important it was. And after that, I met with Ethan to celebrate, and then I had a drink with Michael, Derek said, and Evelyn smiled.

“Sounds like you’ve been quite busy,” Evelyn remarked a hint of amusement in her voice.

Derek chuckled. “Yeah, but it was worth it. They’ve cloned Michael’s SIM. We can now monitor his calls and texts.”

Evelyn’s gasp of surprise was audible. “Already? That’s incredible”

“Yep. We’re one step closer. Don’t worry, Eve. We’re going to take him down.” Text property © Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org.

For a moment, Evelyn was silent, processing the magnitude of what Derek had just told her. Relief washed over her. “Thank you, Derek, I don’t know how to repay you.”

“You don’t have to repay me.” Derek said softly. “We’re in this together.”

“So, where is my daughter?” He asked, and Evelyn laughed at his proud tone.

“She’s in the living room,” Evelyn said, and Derek raised a brow.

“When is her bedtime.. hold on 1 just remembered something I saw the flash drive. Are you a magician? When did you compile all of the it in m my pocket!” He asked, and Evelyn laughed.

of that and

put

“I compiled it while you were busy with Samantha, and I put it in your pocket when you were leaving,” she explained.

“I’m not done going through in yet, but I love it and am grateful for it. Thank you, Eve. Thank you so much, Derek said, and Evelyn smiled.

“You’re welcome”

“So, when is Samantha’s bedtime! I want to tell her bedtime stories. We can do that over the phone for the time being, but after you move to a more secure location. I’ll come over to do that every night and tuck her in. I have a lot of catching up to do,” Derek promised, and Evelyn’s smile widened to the point that her jaws ached.

“She’d love that,” Evelyn uid, imagining how happy Samantha would be to hear that.

“I’d love that even more, Derek id-After that, Evelyn took the phone to Samantha, and they talked. Derek spoke with Samantha for a while until it was time for her to go to bed, and then he made up a bedtime story for her.

By the time Samantha finally dozed off. Derek was halfway as

asleep himself, and Evelyn laughed softly as she bid him goodnight and ended the call.

As Evelyn lay in bed, ready to go to sleep, she let out a relieved sigh, grateful for how everything had played out and hopeful that come tomorroSIN abr would be able to clear the air with her parents