Derek narrowed his eyes at Michael. "You went to her place? Did you go see Evelyn because of the hotel incident? I hope you confronted her about drugging you," he asked, his voice laced with hope.

Michael, dismayed, replied, "Why are you bringing that up now? You know I didn't want our mothers to know."

Derek leaned forward, his voice tense. "You brought Evelyn up. I'm just asking a question. And Sandra, why didn't you tell me what Evelyn did to you?" His concerned frown startled Sandra, who hadn't expected this. Mrs. Stone looked between them, confused. "What are you talking about, Derek?" she asked, wondering what was happening.

Michael quickly interjected, "It's nothing, Aunt," wanting to stop Derek.

But Derek continued, "You won't believe this: Evelyn drugged Sandra and Michael. She took pictures of them together in bed to frame them, and Michael's refusing to do anything about it."

Michael clenched his fists, glaring at Derek. "Why are you bringing this up?"

"You brought her up first! I thought you were ready to talk about it," Derek snapped. "Didn't I tell you that if you weren't going to do anything about it, I would?"

Mrs. Stone turned to Michael, her expression serious. "Is that true? Did Evelyn do that to you?" she asked, looking from Michael to Sandra and back.

Michael shifted uncomfortably. He didn't want to discuss it, but Derek explained the situation to their mother, repeating what Michael had already told him.

Sandra felt trapped, looking down at her plate as Derek spoke, unsure how to proceed without exposing herself.

Mrs. Stone's eyes widened when Derek finished. "And you're not arresting her, Michael? Why?" she asked, still puzzled by Derek's actions, considering his feelings for Evelyn.

Mr. Stone exclaimed, "This is completely unacceptable! She has to be arrested. It's one thing for her to go scot-free after damaging Derek's reputation, but this? We must arrest her!" Derek and his mother nodded in agreement.

Sandra, her voice soft and hesitant, said, "Evelyn is my sister. I don't want to upset my parents further, and I have to think about my niece. I don't want to think about what her little girl will go through if Evelyn is arrested."

"Nonsense," Mr. Stone interrupted firmly. "Evelyn should have thought of that before doing this. She needs to be held accountable. Honey, make sure you get her arrested."

Mrs. Stone agreed firmly, "I'm not going to let this slide. First, she embarrassed our family, then she tried to seduce Derek and exposed our family business without authorization, and now she's trying to blackmail you two? I won't let her get away with it."

"My friend owns that hotel," Mr. Stone suggested. "Let's talk to the receptionist tomorrow. Once he gives us the evidence proving Evelyn paid for the suite and took Sandra to the room, we'll get her arrested."

"Yes, let's do that," his wife agreed. Sandra shifted uncomfortably, worried Evelyn might have a video. She hoped the receptionist's testimony would outweigh anything Evelyn might say. Perhaps she could delete the video from Evelyn's phone, maybe with Rayna's help.

Derek said, "It's funny how dinner's become all about Evelyn. Can we talk about something else?" But everyone was too preoccupied. Dinner continued awkwardly, with Mrs. Stone growing increasingly silent.

After dinner, everyone rose to leave. Sandra smiled at Derek. "Can you drop me off? I didn't bring my car," she said, tucking her hair behind her ear.

"I'm sorry, darling, Derek can't," Mrs. Stone said, dashing Sandra's hopes of a ride with Derek. "I need to speak with him."

Mr. Stone suggested, "Mike, why don't you take her home?" Michael nodded.

Once Michael and Sandra left, Mrs. Stone turned to Derek and her husband. After a long pause, she sighed. "What is going on?" she asked, looking from one to the other.

"What do you mean?" her husband asked innocently.

"Why are you both lying to me?" she asked firmly. "It's no coincidence that the little girl you brought home yesterday is named Samantha, just like Evelyn's daughter. I want to know what's going on, and why you put on that show about arresting Evelyn."

Derek sighed, exchanging a glance with his father. "The only people putting on a show are Michael and Sandra. But you're too blind to see it," he said bitterly.

His mother's eyes narrowed. "What do you mean?"

"Investigate the hotel incident, and you'll find out what you need to know," Derek said.

Confused, she turned to her husband. "What is he talking about?"

Mr. Stone leaned back, his expression serious. "You've always been smart, but lately, you've been disappointing me, honey. You need to listen to Derek. Michael isn't who he says he is."

"Is that little girl your daughter? Did you impregnate your cousin's ex-fiancée?" she asked. Derek nodded.

"Yes, Mom. Samantha is my daughter, and my cousin's ex-fiancée will be my wife. You can give us your blessing or not, but my mind is made up," he said firmly.

"Derek"

"Michael has been having an affair with Sandra for years. That's why Evelyn called off the wedding! He wants me to marry Sandra so they can swindle us! That's why he was going to marry Evelyn—for her inheritance. And he leaked my private conversation with Evelyn!" Derek revealed. His mother sat in stunned silence.

While she processed this, Derek placed a phone containing evidence—CCTV footage, recordings, and a video of Sandra trying to drug Evelyn—on the table.

"Everything's in there. Look at it if you care about the truth. But if you'd rather blame Evelyn, go ahead. Evelyn has reconciled with her parents, and they know about Sandra's schemes. Choose whose side you're on—mine or Michael's. Evelyn WILL be my wife, with or without your permission." He left, leaving his mother staring in disbelief.

Mrs. Stone turned to her husband. "Do you believe him?" He nodded, placing a hand on her shoulder.

"Derek is right. I've also looked into Michael's company activities. He's been stealing. You need to decide about Evelyn and Samantha because they're going to be part of this family."

Mrs. Stone sat in stunned silence, the weight of the revelation heavy upon her. She trusted her husband. If he said Michael was guilty, she believed him. Everything she thought she knew was a lie. With a sigh, she picked up the phone, determined to uncover the truth.