Blimey, My Kid's the Heir to the Billionaire Boss!
Chapter 1131 Beating Around the Bush

Terry wrapped up his spiel, leaving a thick silence hanging in the air. He headed back to the house, leaving Sadie to stew in her thoughts.

His parting words, "just like today when you brought Noah back," kept bouncing around in Sadie's head. She got the drift. Tristan couldn't deal with the Clemens kids, but when he looked at Noah, he saw a mini version of himself. She flashed back to when they first rolled up to the James's castle. As they hopped out of the car, Tristan's eyes locked onto Noah's, and there was this flicker of surprise. It was like he was seeing himself at ten, standing in the same snowy spot, being led out of a car by his aunt Eleanor. In that split second, Sadie caught a mix of sadness and unexpected empathy on Tristan's face.

It clicked for her. That's why Tristan, despite Noah's wild antics, never really came down hard on him. He was patient with Sadie and Noah, not just 'cause of Eleanor's kindness, but 'cause he saw a younger him in them. Sadie realized she never really got Tristan. She always saw his cold, ruthless side and had no clue he was doing so much for her behind the scenes. She never thought "well-intentioned" could fit him.

Peering at the castle through the car window, Sadie felt a wave of guilt wash over her.

"Mr. James is really good to you," Annika sighed. "You're probably the only person he cares about."

Annika was spot on. Tristan was a hardass to everyone else but saved his soft side for Sadie.

"I gotta do something for Tristan," Sadie said, feeling uneasy. "Annika, dig up who hurt Tristan and what's up with the James Group."

"We shouldn't butt in," Annika advised. "I can't snoop into Mr. James's business, and if he doesn't want you involved, he's got his reasons. Forcing your way in might backfire."

"So, I just sit on my hands?" Sadie was anxious.

"Stick to Mr. James's plans for now and keep an eye out," Annika suggested.

"Plans," Sadie muttered. She knew what that meant. Since Tristan set up her meeting with Craig, she should think about the marriage.

He didn't want to push her, so he left her options. He said if she didn't want to marry Joe, it was cool. She could pick from a bunch of guys, and even if she never tied the knot, she and the kids could live well in the James family.

But Terry's reminder made Sadie realize it wasn't that simple.

Tristan's injury showed the James Group was in deep trouble. She couldn't pile more on his plate.

She remembered Craig's words. Joshua also wanted to team up with the Louis family. Although Tristan took it seriously, Craig quickly shot it down.

It seemed like they were talking about her marriage to Joe, but Craig was hinting that if the marriage didn't happen, he might go with Joshua.

No wonder Terry brought up the Sunvale Sports Complex Project. It was a nudge to Sadie. She had just lost the Newark Sapphire Depths Project, and losing the market in Country C would make things worse. Sadie pulled herself together and sighed. "The business world is like a battlefield. People talk in circles. It took me forever to catch the hidden meanings."