Lunch with Derek had gone better than Sandra expected. She felt his interest growing, which gave her a smug sense of victory. Evelyn was nothing compared to her, and she intended to prove it to everyone. Still basking in the success of her lunch, Sandra opened Michael's office door. The sight that greeted her stopped her dead in her tracks.

Michael was leaning against his desk, kissing his secretary, his hands buried in her hair. He was completely unaware of Sandra's presence.

Shock held her frozen for a moment, then irritation surged. "What the hell is going on here?" she demanded. The secretary recoiled, her face paling as she saw Sandra. Michael straightened instantly, smoothing his suit as if to regain professionalism. "Sandra," he began, his voice smooth but edged with irritation. "I see you're back from your date."

Flustered and red-faced, the secretary quickly gathered her things and fled, avoiding Sandra's furious glare.

Alone with Michael, Sandra placed her hands on her hips, her eyes blazing. "What do you think you're doing with your secretary?"

Michael sat on the edge of his desk, his expression darkening. "That's rich, coming from you," he sneered. "I should be asking you the same question. Why were you with Derek, and why didn't you tell me?"

Sandra's eyes narrowed, a scornful smile curling her lips. "Oh, so that's what this is about? You're upset I had lunch with Derek?" She stepped closer, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "You're the one who told me to focus on him! I told you I wanted him to accompany me to the reunion. How else was I supposed to do that without clearing the air and spending time with him?"

Michael's jaw clenched. "We had an agreement. You're supposed to tell me about every move you make. Were you going to tell me about lunch if I hadn't seen you together?"

Sandra snorted. "Don't try to make this about me. I'm not the one making out with my secretary. Tell me why you were making out with yours. Or is this a regular occurrence?"

He met her gaze, his eyes cold. "I told you I wanted you. When was the last time we had sex? You know how sexually active I am. I needed to relieve myself. I asked to meet tonight, and you made some excuse about Rayna. What did you expect? That I'd wait forever?"

Sandra laughed bitterly, disbelief etched on her face. "Relieve yourself? Seriously? Is that your excuse?" She shook her head, disgust evident. "Well, we didn't go that far before you came in. Let's meet tonight…"

"I can't believe you. Do you really think I'll just go along with this after what I saw?"

Michael stood, grabbing her arm roughly. His grip hurt. His voice was low and menacing. "You'll meet me when I say so, Sandra. Don't push me. I won't tolerate any attitude."

Sandra's eyes blazed. "I thought you had better taste, Michael," she spat, her voice dripping with disdain. "I'm disappointed." She tried to pull free, but his grip was tight.

His expression didn't waver. Her defiance seemed to amuse him. "And you think I'm not disappointed? Do you think your attitude since your date with Derek has gone unnoticed? Don't even think about double-crossing me, Sandra. I know how you think. One wrong move, one suspicion, and everything we've built is over. Understand?"

Sandra glared, her chest heaving with rage. "You don't get to threaten me, Michael."

"I'm not threatening," he said, his voice deadly calm as he grabbed her neck with his other hand. "I'm warning you. Meet me at Club Edge tonight at seven…"

"I'm meeting Rayna at 7 PM," Sandra hissed.

"Then reschedule or cancel. What I want is more important than your reunion plans. Meet her afterward. If you don't show, consider our arrangement off. And I'll proceed without you. You'll be cut off from everything." Sandra's mouth tightened. "Since when are you so overbearing?"

Michael stepped closer, his presence overwhelming. "Since you gave me reason to doubt you. Seven o'clock," he repeated, releasing her neck and arm. "Don't make me regret trusting you. And wear something sexy."

With one last icy look, Sandra stormed out, fury simmering beneath the surface.

In the elevator, her fists clenched, her thoughts returned to Derek. She had to play this carefully. Michael wasn't playing games anymore, and neither was she. If he suspected she was trying to outmaneuver him, he'd ruin everything. She wouldn't let him.

In her car, she texted Rayna: [Let's meet at Club Edge by 7 PM. Ask Evelyn to join us; we can hash things out. But don't tell her I'll be there, or she might not come.]

Sandra tapped her fingers on the steering wheel, a smirk playing on her lips. She was going to take care of both Evelyn and Michael.