SWNOVELS Chapter Billionaire’s 160
Chapter
160
Before Evelyn could answer Derek's question and share her idea with them, Claire stood up, her expression somber. " think I should excuse myself," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "I don't want to know the details or be part of the planning. I just... I can't. If you'll excuse me, I'll go spend some time with Samantha upstairs." She swallowed, a sad smile crossing her face.
Eric sighed, knowing the whole thing was probably too much for Claire to bear. He reached out and patted her hand gently. "Of course," he murmured, understanding the burden she was carrying. They all nodded and watched as Claire quietly exited the room. "Please give me a minute," Evelyn said as she hurried after her mother.
"Mom""" Evelyn called as she caught up with her at the foot of the stairs.
Claire turned, forcing a smile as she fought to hold back her tears.
"Mom, I understand how you feel, but you know I have to do this" she said apologetically, and Claire nodded.
"Of course, I understand. I'm totally with you on whatever you choose to do. Sandra deserves it, especially after everything she's done. But I just don't want to be there when you make the plans"" Claire said, and Evelyn nodded. "Thank you for understanding, Mom," Evelyn said, and Claire nodded before taking the stairs.
As Evelyn joined them again, Rebecca let out a soft sigh. "Poor woman. I can't imagine what she must be going through." She looked around at the others, her expression filled with sympathy.
"As a mother, it's hard to come to terms with something like this.
Knowing your own child is... capable of such things."
The room fell into silence, and after a moment, Derek turned to Evelyn, his gaze filled with determination. "Go on, babe. Tell us what you're thinking."
Evelyn took a deep breath, gathering her thoughts. "As I said earlier, I want to be kidnapped and killed just as Sandra wants..."
"But you don't mean killed literally, right? So, how do you mean it?"
Derek asked since that was what he wanted to hear.
"I think we should arrange a meeting with the hitman Sandra hired.
Once we've confirmed his intentions, we can involve the police.
Both of our families have the connections- we can pull some strings and make sure they re ready to arrest him on the spot. This way, we have solid proof against him. And then we can ask him to act like he has done the job..."
"What if he doesn't go along with the plan? What if he is loyal to her?" Eric asked, concerned for his daughter's safety.
Evelyn shook her head, "The conversation between them didn't sound that way. He's just a hitman. Besides, he will know the police are involved, so he won't mess up," she said, and Derek sighed as he thought about what she had said.
Although he knew her plan was good and the best way they could get rid of Sandra for good, he couldn't help being worried. One wrong move and everything could fall apart.
"As much as I don't like it, that could work. I will see what I can do about it. If possible, we can have the hitman arrested, and a police officer can pretend to be him and tan with Sandra. We have to move fast since tomorrow is the reunion. And we also have to be careful so as not to alert Sandra," Derek said, and his mother's brow furrowed.
"What about Michael? What do we do about him?" Rebecca said, since even though she would want Michael punished, she couldn't watch her nephew die at the hands of a cunning person like Sandra.
"I think that's up to you," Evelyn said, and Derek's father nodded.
"I think we should invite him over tomorrow and tell him about Sandra's plan," Derek's mother suggested.
"But we have to be sure he won't decide to go after Sandra himself for some petty revenge," Derek's father said, and they all nodded.
"True. This plan is risky enough, and the last thing we want is to involve him and have him ruin everything," Evelyn's father said, and Derek sighed deeply.
"Mom, you can invite him over for breakfast tomorrow. I will make the necessary preparations and take every precaution to make sure he won't interfere with our plans. Besides, I don't think we have anything to worry about. We let him know that we are aware of his intentions and actions thus far. We'll make it clear that we're one step ahead and that he can either join us to take down Sandra or we can take them both down. I'm sure he would be willing to cooperate in order to protect himself and destroy Sandra," Derek said, his mind already racing with different thoughts of how to make their plan work.
"With this change in plans, does this mean our plans for the birthday are off?" Derek's mother asked curiously, but Derek shook his head.
"No. Since she's planning a grand party, it's only right we make it worth the effort," Derek said, and Evelyn's lips twitched in amusement as she nodded in agreement.
"Yeah. Let's expose it all at the party. I'm sure she will get the shock of her life if she sees me there, totally alive and fine. And then the police can take her," Evelyn said, and everyone nodded in agreement with the plan. There was a sense of resolve in the room as they finalized their strategy.
Derek glanced at his watch when the doorbell rang. "Dinner is here; he announced as he rose to answer the door, knowing it was dinner being delivered. When Evelyn noticed the worried frown on her father's face and how he kept glancing in the direction Claire had gone, she excused herself to go upstairs.
She found her mother and Samantha in Samantha's room. Claire had settled into a cozy chair while Samantha enthusiastically showed her a picture book. Claire's face softened, the stress from earlier seeming to melt away as she watched her granddaughter's innocent joy. Despite that, Evelyn could still see the sadness in her eyes and how hard she was trying to hold back her tears.
Though she knew her stepmom didn't have a problem with their plans or having Sandra arrested, she knew Claire was definitely having a hard time accepting the truth about the sort of monster her daughter was. If she were in Claire's shoes, she would have a hard time, too.
"Mom, dinner is here," Evelyn said gently when Claire noticed her presence and met her gaze. "I'll take Samantha down to join Derek's parents."
Claire smiled softly and gave her a nod. "Go on, sweetheart. I'll be down in a bit after using the restroom."
Evelyn gave her mother a reassuring look, understanding her need for a moment alone, and then guided Samantha out of the room.
As they made their way downstairs, Samantha skipped alongside her, clutching her picture book tightly.
At the dining table, Derek's parents and Evelyn's father welcomed Samantha warmly. She slid into her chair, chattering happily as her grandparents doted on her.
"What's that you have there, Samantha?" Derek's mother asked, her eyes sparkling as she leaned closer.
"It's my favorite book!" Samantha declared proudly, opening it to show her grandmother a picture of a fairy princess. "Look, Grandma, this princess has a magic wand and can make wishes come true!"
Rebecca chuckled, reaching out to gently touch Samantha's cheek. "Just like you, sweetheart. You're our little princess, too."
Derek's father leaned over, examining the book with a gentle smile.
"She sure is. And a very smart princess at that."
Samantha giggled, glancing up at her grandfather. "I want to be
smart and brave, just like Mommy."
Evelyn's father beamed, his face filled with pride. "You already are, dear. And you know what? Were all here to make sure you grow up with everything you need." While the other grandparents conversed with Samantha in the dining room, Claire stood in front of the washbowl in the guest bathroom, and her tears flowed freely.
She couldn't believe that things had to go this far to bring her daughter to her senses, but what could she do? Sandra had brought it upon herself.
Or maybe it was her fault. If she had taken extra care of her, knowing what her father was, Sandra would probably have turned out differently, or maybe not.
Though she couldn't do anything now, she hoped that Sandra would come to her senses in prison so that she would be accepted back after serving her sentence. Claire thought as she turned on the tap and sprinkled some water on her face. After putting herself together, she stepped out of the bathroom and was a bit surprised to see Evelyn standing outside the door.
Evelyn decided to come comfort Claire while the others were busy chatting with Samantha.
"I'm so sorry all of this is happening," Evelyn said softly, and Claire shook her head.
"I've told you already, Evie. You don't have to be, Evie. None of this is your fault. And I know you tried to avoid all this. I just wish Sandra didn't have to go this far," Claire said as tears welled up in her eyes again, and Evelyn embraced her. After a while, Claire pulled away, deciding not to think about the situation anymore since she didn't want Evelyn to start feeling bad.
"We should join the others now. I don't want Rebecca stealing my spot in Samantha's heart," Claire joked as she walked ahead of Evelyn out of the room.
As Evelyn followed behind, she couldn't help but feel bad for Claire. As much as she would have loved for Sandra to turn a new leaf so that they could all return to being one big family, she knew there was no way that would happen. Even if Sandra truly did change, she was never going to truly forgive her and let her guard down. This was the only way
As they shared dinner, Samantha basked in the love and warmth surrounding her. Each of her grandparents took turns asking her questions, listening to her stories, and laughing at her little jokes.
They poured their affection into each smile, each soft touch, and each word, making Samantha feel cherished beyond measure.
And for a brief moment, Evelyn found herself forgetting about Sandra and everything else. In that moment, they were just a family united by love and hope.