After her call with Rayna, Sandra paced her office, her heels clicking a staccato rhythm against the floor. Her confrontation with Evelyn had been disastrous. She hadn't anticipated Evelyn's preparedness, her readiness to counter Sandra's move. Fists clenched, Sandra fought to quell the simmering anger. The image of Evelyn, confident and basking in their father's approval at the breakfast table, fueled her rage.

She needed to talk to Michael—to vent and strategize. She stopped pacing, her fingers itching to dial his number. But she hesitated. Should she call or go to his office? He was as entangled in this mess as she was, and a face-to-face discussion might yield a solution. Yet, they'd agreed to limit in-person meetings to avoid suspicion, a risk she couldn't afford given her pursuit of Derek.

Resuming her pacing, Sandra chewed her lip, weighing her options. Calling seemed safer, more discreet. With a sigh, she grabbed her phone and dialed. She tapped her fingers impatiently while waiting.

Michael answered immediately. "I was just about to call you," he said, his voice calm.

"You won't believe what Evelyn did," she said, her voice trembling with barely controlled anger.

"What did you do?" Michael asked, his tone sharpening. He knew Evelyn well enough to suspect she wouldn't initiate trouble without provocation.

"What do you mean, 'what did I do'?" Sandra snapped.

"Because Evelyn doesn't stir trouble unprovoked. So, what did you do?" Michael repeated.

"Are you taking her side?" Sandra asked, incredulous.

"I'm stating a fact. Tell me exactly what happened," Michael said firmly.

Despite his tone, Sandra recounted Evelyn's actions: "She recorded our conversation, Michael! And then played it for our parents! I was blindsided, completely humiliated!" Her voice rose, the sting of her parents' disappointment still raw.

A brief silence followed. "Why were you so careless, Sandra?" Michael asked.

Sandra's face flushed. "How was I supposed to know she was recording me? She's never done that before! How can you defend her?" Her grip tightened on the phone, her knuckles white.

"I'm not defending her! You should have known better than to have that conversation with her in the dining room, where anyone could have overheard you," Michael said, his frustration evident.

Sandra huffed, her anger now directed at the situation, not Michael. "That's not the problem. The problem is Evelyn. I don't want her back at the family magazine. She'll ruin everything!"

Michael sighed. "You need to choose, Sandra. You can't have both Derek and the magazine. Decide what's more important."

Sandra's breath hitched. "Why can't I have both?" she demanded. "I want both! And I don't want Evelyn interfering!" A pause. "Sandra," Michael said, "keeping Evelyn close might work to your advantage. We'll know where she is. At the magazine, you can monitor her, control her actions. It's better to have her where you can see her."

Sandra fell silent, considering. As much as she loathed the idea, Michael had a point. Keeping Evelyn close allowed her to sabotage her work and ensure she gained no respect.

"You're right," Sandra admitted, a slow smile spreading. "I need to keep my enemy closer."

"Exactly," Michael said smoothly. "Play your cards right, and you can ruin her credibility. Make her a laughingstock. Once she loses respect, even her father will see you're the better choice."

Sandra's smile widened. "I'd like to see that."

"Good. Now stop worrying about Evelyn. I've missed you. I want to see you." His voice took on a seductive tone.

Sandra hesitated. "You know we shouldn't meet often. It's too risky," she reminded him.

"Not at my place," Michael countered. "Somewhere else. I miss you, baby. I want you."

Sandra chuckled, but her mind was already strategizing. "I can't meet tonight. I'm seeing Rayna."

"Rayna? Why?" Michael's voice sharpened with suspicion.

Sandra twirled a strand of hair. "Our class reunion is next weekend. I need Rayna to help humiliate Evelyn." Michael sighed. "Sandra, you're wasting time on petty revenge. Focus on us. We're close to our goal. Focus on Derek."

"I am focusing on Derek," Sandra said. "That's why he'll be my date at the reunion. I want him to see why I'm the better choice."

"Then use one stone to kill two birds. Make sure he sleeps with you that night," Michael said coldly.

"Have sex with him?" Sandra asked, though seducing Derek was already her plan.

"Yes. Claim you're pregnant. That will force him to marry you. His mother will want a grandchild."

"But I won't be ovulating," Sandra pointed out.

"Are you stupid, Sandra?" Michael snapped. "I'm not talking about a real child. I'll get you pregnant. You'll use the excuse to trap him. Don't get any ideas about having Derek's baby. If you're having anyone's child, it's mine."

Sandra bit her lip, a mix of anger and excitement at his control. "Fine. I'll do as you say."

"Good. I'll text you the location. Be ready," Michael said, his voice softening. "And remember, Derek is the key."

Sandra hung up, her mind buzzing. As for Michael's baby? She had no intention of having his child. She would get pregnant by Derek, lie to Michael, and once she had Derek, she would destroy Evelyn and then Michael.