After work, instead of going home, Michael visited Derek's parents to check on them and ensure everything was proceeding according to plan. He arrived at the Stone family mansion and was, as usual, warmly greeted by Derek's parents in the living room.

"Did you come directly from the company?" Derek's mother asked, noticing the files he carried.

"Yes, Aunt. I came to see how you're feeling," Michael replied with a concerned frown, his voice sincere.

"You work too hard, Michael. This is more than two hours after closing," she said. Michael waved it off.

"It's nothing, Aunt. I had some work to finish. How are you both doing?" he asked, looking from his aunt to her husband.

"We're fine, dear. It's good to see you're helping Derek at the company," Mr. Stone said, his wife nodding in agreement.

"I brought these vitamins for you. I was told they're good for people your age," Michael said, handing them to his aunt, who smiled.

"Thank you, dear. You've always been a good nephew. Will you have dinner with us before you leave?" she asked.

"Only if you prepared it," he joked, and his aunt laughed.

"I'll see what's happening in the kitchen," she said, excusing herself.

After she left, Michael and Mr. Stone discussed politics and sports. A short while later, she returned. "Why don't you both join us in the dining room?" she asked, and they laughed, following her.

After dinner, Michael asked his aunt, "I hope you're feeling better now that everything has settled and Evelyn has been fired?" His aunt, touched by his concern, smiled.

"Thank you, Michael. We're fine, but we changed our minds about firing her," she said, and Michael frowned.

"You changed your mind? Why?" Michael asked. Mr. Stone glanced at his wife before answering.

"Derek believes someone else is responsible for the scandal, not her, and he pleaded with us to let it go," Mr. Stone explained. Michael's frown deepened; fear gripped his heart. "Who else would be responsible if not Evelyn?" he asked, wanting to know everything Derek had said.

"We don't know the details. He said he's gathering proof and will expose the culprit in time," Mr. Stone replied. Michael's heart skipped a beat; anxiety washed over him. Had Derek found the bug in his office? Was he a suspect? But Derek, being confrontational, would have confronted him. Or had Derek simply said that to get his parents to let Evelyn go? That didn't seem right. From what his parents said, Derek seemed confident Evelyn wasn't the culprit. Who, then, was he suspecting?

He needed to remove the bug from Derek's office if Derek hadn't already found it. Derek would recognize it instantly.

"We were as confused as you when Derek told us," Derek's mother said, noticing Michael's frown.

Keeping his voice steady, Michael shook his head. "I don't know, but I have a feeling Derek said that to prevent her firing unless he told someone else," Michael said. Derek's father shook his head.

"I don't think that's the case," Mr. Stone said. Though irritated and frustrated, Michael tried to remain calm.

"Seeing as he had no evidence, you shouldn't have let him stop you. We all know how softhearted Derek is. I'm sure she's taking advantage of it," Michael said. Mrs. Stone sighed.

"I agree, but we let her go on the condition that he marry Sandra, so we don't have to worry about her taking advantage of him anymore," she said. Michael, fuming, raised an eyebrow.

"He agreed?" Michael asked, a pleased smile spreading across his face. He was glad that, even though Evelyn hadn't lost her job, Derek had agreed to marry Sandra.

"Yes. Now we need to set a date," his aunt said.

"I can't believe he agreed to avoid firing Evelyn. Did Derek tell you anything about his relationship with her? I think there's more to it than just the interview," Michael said. His aunt exchanged a look with her husband, silently agreeing not to tell Michael that Derek had said he was in love with Evelyn.

"I don't care if she didn't leak the news. I'll never let that shameless girl near my son after what she did to you," she said. Michael nodded. "Perhaps she ended things with me to go after Derek," Michael added, fueling the fire.

"Too bad for her, because I won't let that happen. Work out the details of his date with Sandra, and let me know when it's time so I can have him meet her," his aunt said.

"I will," Michael promised.

After dinner, Michael left. Driving away, he felt frustrated, scared, and accomplished. He was frustrated that Evelyn hadn't lost her job and that Derek still seemed to trust her; scared that Derek might suspect him; and accomplished because Derek was marrying Sandra.

His fears led him to call Derek.

"Hey, Derek," Michael greeted casually.

"Hey, Mike. What's up?" Derek replied, equally casual.

"I'm okay. I was at your office today, but your secretary said you left early. Is everything alright?" Michael asked.

"Yeah. Just had some things to handle," Derek said, and Michael felt relieved that Derek didn't seem suspicious.

"Cool. I just left your parents' house, and Aunt said you asked them not to fire Evelyn because you don't think she's guilty," Michael said naturally.

"Yeah. I know she's your ex, but she deserves the benefit of the doubt," Derek said, and Michael sighed.

"Are you at the hotel?" Michael asked, wanting to see Derek face-to-face.

"Yes, at the lounge," Derek replied with a smirk. "Want to join me?"

"Sure, I'll be there soon," Michael said, hanging up, certain Derek wasn't suspicious and had likely told his parents what he wanted to save Evelyn.