The Billionaire’s Unexpected Proposal (Evelyn and Derek)

The rest of the drive passed with Derek visibly more at ease, thanks to Evelyn's words. When they finally pulled into the driveway of his parent's home, the sight before them brought an instant smile to both their faces. Samantha, clad in overalls and wielding a tiny

watering can, was enthusiastically helping Derek's mother in the garden.

The moment Samantha spotted the car, she squealed in delight and abandoned her task, sprinting toward them. "Mommy! Daddy!" she yelled, her arms outstretched.

"Samantha, wait-" Evelyn began, but it was too late.

Samantha barreled into her, wrapping her small arms tightly around Evelyn's waist. The damp soil from Samantha's hands smeared across Evelyn's pristine white pants.

Evelyn groaned playfully, looking down at the brown stains. "Oh, Samantha..."

Derek chuckled as he stepped closer, lifting Samantha into his arms. "Guess what? I don't mind a little dirt," he said, touching a tiny smear of soil that adorned the tip of Samantha's nose with his finger.

She giggled, "I was helping Grandma! We planted flowers!" Samantha announced proudly, pointing

toward the garden.

"I see you've been busy," Derek said as he set

Samantha down. She hurried over to greet Maya, who laughed softly, brushing a stray curl out of Samantha's face as they chatted.

"She's been such a delightful companion"" Derek's mom said, wiping her hands on her apron as she approached them.

"She's always full of energy," Derek said with a grin,

"I'm not sure you've met Maya. This is Maya, Samantha's..." Derek trailed off since he could no longer refer to her as the nanny.

"Aunt. She is Samantha's aunt. She has been with me for years and has practically raised Samantha as her own daughter," Evelyn stepped in, and Derek's mom smiled at Maya.

"It's good to meet you, Maya. Let's head inside and cool off with my freshly prepared lemonade," Derek's mom suggested, gesturing toward the house.

Once inside, they settled in the cozy living room, sipping the chilled drinks the housekeeper brought in.

"Your father is inside. I'll quickly clean up Sam, and then we will join you after I freshen up," Derek's mom said and started to leave, but Derek held up a hand.

"Actually, Mom, could that wait for a moment? I need to talk to you and Dad. We don't have much time - we need to take Samantha to visit Evelyn's mom after this."

His mom looked curious but nodded. "Speaking about Evelyn's Mom. How is she? I was going to call you, but when you called earlier to say you were both coming, I decided to wait. Rumors of her dying and coming back to life have been all over social media," she said, and Evelyn nodded. "It's true. What happened was a miracle," Evelyn said, and they went ahead to give her the details.Exclusive © material by Nô(/v)elDrama.Org.

"I'm glad she is alive. It would have been a great loss," Derek's mom said, and they all agreed.

"Let me get your father now," she said, and as she disappeared down the hall, Evelyn leaned toward Derek. "I will help Samantha clean up and keep her busy while you talk to them," she whispered. Derek glanced at her, gratitude evident in his eyes.

Leaning in, he gave her a quick kiss. "Thank you."

Evelyn smiled, holding out her hand for Samantha.

"Come on, sweetheart. Let's get you cleaned up."

When Derek's parents returned together, Derek introduced Maya to him. Then, they left her in the living room and headed for the study so they could

speak privately.

Once they were comfortably seated, his father looked at him with curiosity. "What did you want to talk to us about?"

Derek hesitated for a moment and then cleared his throat. "Yesterday, I stopped by the police station and spoke briefly with Michael," he began. His father nodded, gesturing for him to continue. "Michael told me something. Something...

unexpected," Derek added.

"What did he say to you?" His mother asked, sensing it was something important.

"He looked into the details of my adoption and tried to find dirt on my biological family," Derek said, and his mother's eyes widened.

"Is that boy even my nephew?" She asked, unable to believe the extent to which Michael had gone in his craziness.

"That's not all," Derek said, and his voice wavered slightly as he explained what Michael had revealed about him having a younger sister and how he had confirmed it after seeing the details on the flash drive.

His parents exchanged glances, their expressions unreadable as they listened to him. Finally, his mom

spoke, her tone calm yet firm. "Are you sure this is not another one of his attempts to steal from us?"

"I understand that Michael can't be trusted. But it's not like he brought someone to Derek, claiming her to be his sister. It is us who will search for the girl. We can always confirm with a DNA test when we find her," Derek's father said reasonably, and Derek nodded in agreement.

"That makes sense. Well, if you have a sister, we should find her," his mother said firmly.

Derek blinked, taken aback. "You think so?"

"Of course," she said, reaching for his hand. "Why wouldn't we? If she's your family, she's ours too. Did you think I'd try to stop you from finding her?"

"I... I wasn't sure how you'd feel about it. I didn't want you to think I'm not content with having you or that finding her would change things between us, Derek admitted.

His mother's grip on his hand tightened. "You will always be my son, Derek. Nothing will change that.

Finding your sister doesn't take away from our family

it adds to it. And you should know that we would have tried to find her ourselves had we been told about it during your adoption."

His father nodded in agreement. "We'll need to be

careful about it, though. If word gets out, there'll be no shortage of people trying to take advantage just to get into our family."

Derek exhaled a breath he hadn't realized he was holding. "I understand. Thank you - for understanding."

"You don't have to thank us for that. Do you think you can handle it yourself, or do you want us to handle it?" His mother asked, and Derek shook his head.

"I can take care of it. I only wanted your permission to go ahead," he said, and she smiled.

"You're such a good son, Derek. Thank you for respecting our feelings," she said, touching his cheeks fondly.

A moment later, they returned to the living room to join Maya, and they met Evelyn and a cleaned-up Samantha there, too. Evelyn's questioning gaze met Derek's, and when he gave her a reassuring nod, she smiled softly, clearly relieved.

As they prepared to leave, Samantha hopped into the car, chatting excitedly about her adventures with her grandparents while Maya indulged her.

Derek glanced at Evelyn as they drove away. "That went better than I thought it would."

Evelyn smiled, resting her hand on his arm again.

"Sometimes, you just have to take the leap. People can surprise you."

"Says the one who refused to take the leap for six years," he said dryly, and she laughed as she hit his arm.

"That's exactly why you should listen to me. I'm speaking now from my wealth of experience," she retorted.

He chuckled, shaking his head. "You're right, as always.

Could you call the people you mentioned? Have them look into this discreetly?"

"I thought you didn't want me interfering?" She asked, and he nodded.

"My Dad raised a valid point. I'd rather no one knows I'm the one involved in this," he explained.

"Of course. I'm happy to help," Evelyn replied, her voice warm with reassurance.

When they arrived at the hospital, Samantha's cheerful chatter filled the hallways until they entered Claire's room.

Samantha froze, her wide eyes fixed on her grandmother lying in the bed with a bandage on her head.

"Grandma, what happened to your head?" Samantha asked, her voice small and tears gathering in her eyes as she rushed over to the bedside.

Claire smiled, her hand outstretched. "I had a little accident, sweetheart, but I'm fine now. I missed you so much."

Samantha climbed onto the bed, her small hand cupping Claire's cheek. "I'll kiss your boo-boo and make it all better." Claire laughed softly as Samantha pressed a kiss to her forehead. "Thank you, darling. That already feels much better." Evelyn stood by, her eyes bright with emotion. "You're looking much better than you did yesterday."

"I feel better, too," Claire admitted. "And I'm ready to go home," she said, giving her husband a pointed look.

"Not happening. Not until I'm sure you're completely okay," Eric said firmly, crossing his arms.

"You're fussing over nothing," Claire argued lightly, though her smile didn't waver.

Eric's expression softened, "I'm not taking any risks."

"Maya," Claire said with a soft smile as her gaze met Maya's. "It's good to see you again," she said, her voice

warm.

Maya returned the smile, stepping closer to the bed.

"I'm sorry I came empty-handed. I only found out about this today. And I'm glad to see you looking well." "Thank you, Maya,, Claire said, her tone sincere.

Samantha beamed proudly, still perched next to Claire on the bed helped Grandma Stone with the flowers today!" she chimed in her mood brightening again.

"You did, my little gardener," Claire said, brushing a hand gently overz Samantha's hair. "And I can't wait to see them bloom. Maybe you'll bring me some flowers when they do?"

"Yes!" Samantha nodded enthusiastically, her earlier worry forgotten.

As the lighthearted moment settled over the room, Evelyn approached the bed, her expression soft.

"Mom, there's something I wanted to ask you."

Claire tilted her head, curiosity flickering in her gaze.

"Of course, dear. What's on your mind?"

Evelyn hesitated for a moment before speaking.

"When you're well enough, I'd like to take you to our home for a while. I think it'd be good for you to have a change of scenery."

Claire's eyes widened slightly, and then she smiled.

"That's a lovely offer, Evie. But are you sure it wouldn't be too much trouble?"

"No trouble at all," Evelyn assured her. "It'll be good for all of us. Besides, Samantha would love to have you close. I would love it, too."

At the mention of her name, Samantha lit up. "Yes, Grandma! Come stay with us!"

Eric, still standing with his arms crossed, raised a brow. "And what about me?"

"You're welcome to stay, too," Derek said, stepping forward.

Eric smiled. "If my darling is up for it, let's do that."

Claire chuckled softly, reaching for Eric's hand. "I think I'd like that very much."

Evelyn smiled warmly. "Then it's settled. Once the doctor gives the all-clear, we'll make the necessary arrangements."

The conversation shifted to lighter topics, and Samantha's bubbly energy kept the atmosphere warm.

After some time, Derek and Evelyn decided it was time to see Ethan, and they left Maya and Samantha with her parents.

As they both walked out of the room, Derek slid an arm around her shoulders. "She seems to be making a speedy recovery," Derek noted. "Yeah""" Evelyn said with a happy smile.

"I think she will be as good as new in a week or two," he said, and she nodded. "Yeah. I'm glad the head injury wasn't severe," she said, and then Derek grinned.

"Me too. It would be nice to have your parents in the house," he said, and then she paused to look at him

suspiciously when she heard him

excitement in his voice.

"Yeah?"

"Would make the wedding preparations faster. So, maybe we can get married in a month. What do you think?" he asked, and she laughed softly.

"I should have known that was what you were thinking, she said, her lips curving into a teasing smile.

"You haven't answered my question yet," he said, and she grinned.

"I will when you ask the right way," she said with a giggle and walked away very quickly, leaving Derek to laugh as he tried to catch up with her.