Michael, having checked the CCTV footage in the company security room to locate Evelyn's entry, saw her leaving Derek's office. He immediately left to follow her. He arrived outside just as she entered a cab and discreetly followed her from Stone Corp to The Stone's Palace Hotel. He waited in his car until she entered the hotel before following her inside.

Crossing the street, he entered the hotel's grand foyer, the polished marble floors echoing his footsteps. He approached the reception desk, where a young woman greeted him with a professional smile, which broadened when she recognized him as their CEO's cousin. "Good afternoon, sir. How can I assist you?" she asked, her voice as smooth as the surroundings.

Leaning in, he lowered his voice. "I'm wondering if Evelyn Quinn is staying here. I have a personal matter to discuss with her."

Despite hotel policy, the receptionist, without question, quickly checked her computer and nodded. "Yes, Ms. Quinn is registered. Anything else?" she asked. Michael requested her room number. She asked if he needed anything further; he shook his head. "That's all. Thank you," he said, leaving the hotel.

Knowing Evelyn's location, he now needed to discover her purpose at the office. He returned to the company and went directly to Derek's office. His entry was unhindered.

Derek, on the phone with Evelyn's boss, glanced up. "Yes. That's my only condition," he said, hanging up. "Hey!" Michael greeted, settling into a seat. "Busy?"

Derek raised an eyebrow. "Not at the moment. Why? Problem?"

"No. I saw a woman leaving your office, and I'm curious. What was she here for?" Michael asked, observing Derek's reaction. Derek's eyes narrowed. "She's from Empowered Magazine," he said, the only woman who had visited that morning.

"An interview?" Michael guessed, knowing magazines often sought exclusive interviews with the elusive Stone Corp CEO. "Yes," Derek replied. "Why do you ask?"

"Can't I be curious about a beautiful lady?" Michael grinned, concealing the fact that she was the woman who had jilted him at their wedding.

"I wonder why they all approach you, knowing you'll refuse," Michael mused, suspecting Evelyn's quick departure was due to rejection. "I have no idea," Derek said, amused.

"Is that all?" Derek asked suspiciously. Michael seized the opportunity.

He chuckled. "Of course not! Why would I leave my office for that?" Derek nodded. "Then why are you here?"

"To ask a favor," Michael stated. Derek frowned. "You know I dislike favors. What is it?"

"I want you to accompany me to the Quinns' anniversary"

"No," Derek interrupted.

"I promised I'd convince you"

"You shouldn't have," Derek said disapprovingly.

"I know. I'm sorry. It's their twenty-third anniversary, and I want to make it special for them," Michael pleaded. Sandra had orchestrated this—just as they'd manipulated him into marrying Evelyn for her inheritance, they wanted Derek to marry Sandra.

Derek raised an eyebrow. "What's with you and that family? Why care? And why should I, after their daughter jilted you? Don't tell me you still have feelings for her."

Michael scoffed. "I wouldn't take her back. But her parents are good people. Her father even disowned her. I shouldn't ignore them because of her actions," Michael explained.

"Please, D. Do this for me," he pleaded. Derek sighed, rubbing his temples.

"Mike, we've been over this. You know I dislike parties"

"Yet you attended my wedding"

"Because it was your wedding, and you're like a brother. We grew up together," Derek interrupted. Michael sighed. "Consider it my wedding. If you do this, I owe you one. Please be there," Michael implored. Derek sighed. "I'm sorry, Mike. I can't."

"Don't rush. It's in two weeks. Think about it," Michael said. Derek snorted.

"Will you think about it?" Derek was silent, his expression unreadable, then nodded slightly. "Alright. I'll think about it. But I'm not promising anything." Michael smiled, taking this as a positive sign.

"That's enough. Thank you," he said, leaving the office. Getting Derek to commit would be a challenge, but he'd planted the seed. He knew Evelyn's location too. He'd accomplished much and couldn't wait to tell Sandra.