Michael arrived at the hotel lounge and found Derek sitting at a corner table, nursing a drink. He approached Derek, who looked up and smiled, taking a sip from his glass. His expression was friendly.

Michael sat down, trying to gauge Derek's mood. "What's up? Why are you here drinking alone?" he asked, feigning concern.

Derek shrugged, taking another sip. "I just need to clear my head. It's been a long day," he replied casually.

"Why were you at my office earlier?" Derek asked, wondering if Michael had removed the bug. He'd called his secretary earlier, confirming that Michael had visited his office the day he'd told Evelyn about his adoption. This confirmed his suspicions.

"I wanted to see if you were still mad at me, after the way you left the party last night," Michael said. Derek sighed.

"Last night? It feels like a week ago," Derek said, running a hand through his hair.

"I'm really sorry I kept everything from you" Michael began.

"I've moved on from that, Michael. But I'm curious about something else," Derek interrupted, making Michael's heart skip a beat.

"What?" Michael asked, looking at him intently.

"What's going on between Evelyn and Sandra? Why did Evelyn treat Sandra that way at the party?" Derek asked. Michael leaned in, eager to elaborate.

"Evelyn has always hated Sandra, and I think it worsened because Sandra remained my friend. Can you believe she returned after all these years but wouldn't go home to her family, believing they betrayed her by staying close to me?" Michael said. Derek's eyebrows furrowed.

"Evelyn is that kind of person?" Derek asked, disgusted. He knew Evelyn, and this didn't sound like her.

Michael felt a surge of satisfaction at Derek's disgust. He was getting through to him.

"Looks can be deceiving," Michael said, and Derek nodded.

"But why doesn't she want them to be friendly with you? What made her call off the wedding? Did you do something?" Derek asked. Michael scowled at the memory.

"I wish I had. I only loved her and was faithful. What did I get in return? Infidelity. Betrayal. Humiliation. While we searched for her, she was with another man. The worst part? I saw the signs"

"What signs?" Derek asked, intrigued.

"Her cologne. The same male cologne she wore that morning. I'd smelled it before. She claimed he was just a friend, but that morning, I knew I'd been made a fool of," Michael said. Derek shook his head in disbelief.

"Seriously? Evelyn did that? Did you confront him?" Derek asked. Michael shook his head.

"No, I haven't seen him since. Maybe she eloped with him," Michael said.

Derek knew this wasn't true; he'd been with Evelyn that night, and his cologne was custom-made.

"Did anything happen before the wedding? A fight? Did she lose a loved one?" Derek asked. Michael shook his head before Derek finished.

"No. Everything was perfect. We even spoke on the phone. I have no idea why she waited until that day. Evelyn is a manipulative bitch!"

"So, she's always been a cheater?" Derek asked. Michael nodded.

"It was heartbreaking. I loved her so much, Rek," Michael said, taking a drink, feigning hurt.

Derek knew Michael was lying. There was more to the story, and he would find out.

"Let's stop talking about her. My mother told you I'm marrying Sandra," Derek said, making Michael smile. This confirmed Derek's obliviousness to the bug.

"Speaking of your mother, why didn't you have Evelyn fired? She doesn't deserve your mercy, does she?" Michael asked. Derek's expression was unreadable.

"Evelyn wasn't responsible for the news leak," Derek said. Michael raised an eyebrow.

"Then who was? Did you tell someone?" Michael asked. Derek shook his head.

"I didn't. But I know Evelyn isn't behind it. We signed a non-disclosure agreement," Derek said, making Michael's heart skip a beat.

"That doesn't mean she couldn't have…" Michael began.

"It does. She's always followed the agreement, even when it was inconvenient. She wouldn't risk ruining everything, especially not before the interview," Derek said. Michael paused.

It was best to stop. "That makes sense. Who could have done it then?"

"I don't know yet, but I'll find out. And they'll pay," Derek promised.

"Let me know if I can help," Michael offered.

"Sure. Thanks," Derek said, slapping Michael on the back.

"Do you really plan to marry Sandra, or is that to protect Evelyn?" Michael asked suspiciously.

"Even though we didn't talk much at the party, she impressed me. I'm interested," Derek said. Michael smiled.

"She's something, isn't she?" he asked. Derek agreed.

"Unlike Evelyn, Sandra is everything you could want. If I weren't heartbroken, I'd go for her, but she likes you," Michael said. Derek raised an eyebrow.

"Me? We're not close," Derek said, confused.

"She's heard a lot about you from me. Besides, what woman wouldn't want you?" Michael asked.

"I guess we'll get along. Tell me about her – specifics," Derek said. Michael sang Sandra's praises.

Derek listened, but Evelyn's words about Michael and Sandra's collaboration played in his mind. He wondered what their plan was.

When Michael finished, Derek smiled. "Thanks, Mike. I'm looking forward to meeting her."

Derek knew Michael was in cahoots with Sandra, but he couldn't understand Michael's motive.

A few minutes later, Michael left, feeling triumphant. He'd planted doubt about Evelyn and prepared the ground for Sandra. Now he needed to remove the bug.