Blimey, My Kid's the Heir to the Billionaire Boss!
Chapter 1316 Have You Ever Loved Me?

Dahlia quickly hung up, her face pale with worry. "Do you think Ms. James heard anything?" she asked, her voice shaky.

"Sorry, Mr. Clemens, I didn't know Dr. Rey was on the phone," Chloe blurted out. "Ryan needed this document urgently, so I..."

"Enough," Micah cut her off, grabbed the document, signed it, and handed it back. "Everyone out."

"Yes, sir," Chloe and Dahlia mumbled together, backing out of the office. Silence filled the room again. Micah took a slow sip from his glass, lost in thought.

Just then, Andrew barged in, looking smug. "I got rid of Duke Louis. Just mentioned the car compensation, and he stormed off."

"Go check if Joe's in Newark," Micah said quietly.

"Huh?" Andrew was taken aback but quickly nodded. "I'll check right away."

Meanwhile, in the car, Sadie held her phone, her expression complicated.

She had overheard Chloe talking to Micah, so Dahlia was in the VIC Group president's office.

That meant Dahlia had gone to Micah to get Gabriella to come to Newark to treat Serena. This realization left her feeling both grateful and frustrated-another favor she owed him. As she was thinking, Annika slowed down the car, and Jessica exclaimed, "Is that Mr. Louis?"

Sadie's heart skipped a beat. She looked up and saw Joe's white Bentley parked ahead.

"Ms. James," Annika turned to look at Sadie.

Sadie frowned and got out of the car.

At the same time, the opposite car door opened. Joe got out. In just half a month, he had lost a lot of weight. His once lively ice-blue eyes now looked haunted. "Joe, you..." Sadie started, but he cut her off. "Let's talk."

"Okay," Sadie nodded and told Jessica, "You drive the goldfish back. Annika and I will get in Joe's car."

Jessica hesitated. "Ms. James, are you sure?"

"Go ahead," Sadie insisted.

With a worried glance at Annika, Jessica drove off. Sadie, with Annika by her side, climbed into Joe's car, bracing herself for a tough conversation.

The car was filled with uneasy silence. Sadie spoke first, "Joe, why are you back in Newark? You didn't mention anything."

"I came with my dad." Joe's voice was low. He seemed different, no longer smiling, a bit gloomy.

Annika's eyes narrowed with suspicion. "Duke Louis is here?" Sadie asked. "Is he here to pressure me to drop the gym project?"

Joe turned to face Sadie, his expression heartbreakingly earnest. "Sadie, have you ever loved me? Even for a moment?"

"I've always considered you a good friend," Sadie answered honestly. "I said that when we first got together."

"I understand," Joe nodded, heartbroken.

"Joe, what's wrong?" Sadie asked, concerned. "Are you okay?"

His response was raw and agonizing. "I've tried so hard to move on, but you're all I can think about. I can't sleep, I can't eat. My heart feels like it's being ripped apart."

Guilt washed over Sadie. She had never meant to hurt him, but seeing the depth of his suffering made her feel responsible. If only she had been clearer from the start, maybe he wouldn't be in so much pain.