Thinking about getting back with the fam soon, the kids were all super stoked. Sadie couldn''t help but grin. She didn''t wanna admit it, but deep down, she was really looking forward to that day. Maybe she really missed Nathan!


    Barbara walked by with some desserts and caught a glimpse of this scene, a mix of emotions shing in her eyes.


    Later, Barbara headed to Amanda''s room and subtly spilled the tea on what she just saw.


    One of the close maids, hearing this, got all riled up, "I thought Ms. James and her ex were totally done. Now it looks like there''s still something there."


    "Unbelievable! She''s about to marry Mr. Louis. How can she still be hung up on her ex?" another maid fumed.


    "Yeah, she''s being so unfair. What''s she think Mr. Louis is, a backup n?" another maid chimed in, just as mad.


    "Duchess Louis, should we talk to Ms. James?" Barbara suggested softly. "If that ex wants to see the kids, we can just send the kids over. Ms. James doesn''t have to go, right?"


    "Sadie is stubborn. She won''t let anyone mess with her decisions. And her ex isn''t someone we can mess with either." Amanda frowned, "Don''t even think about stopping them from meeting. If he shows up, we gotta treat him with the utmost respect!"


    "Well," Barbara said, worried, "I noticed Joe''s been in a bad moodtely. He probably knows they''re gonna meet and is stressing out."


    "Yeah, when I brought coffee to Mr. Louis earlier, he was just sitting there, staring into space," another maid added.


    "Joe is just too honest," Amanda sighed. "If I don''t help him, he wouldn''t even know if Sadie was cheating on him."


    After a pause, she added, "Micah is not easy to deal with. I need to make a move before he gets here."


    The maids didn''t get what she meant by making a move.


    But Barbara caught on quick. She asked tentatively, "You mean..."


    "Yesterday, I was talking to the kids about inviting a magic troupe to perform at the estate," Amanda cut her off with a smile. "Go set it up and have the magic troupee tomorrow afternoon!"


    "Got it," Barbara immediately went to make the arrangements. As she was leaving, she bumped into Joe, who wasing to see Amanda. She quickly greeted him, "Joe!"


    "Mm," Joe mumbled, keeping his head down as he walked into Amanda''s room.


    Ever since Barbara had thrown herself at him when he had a cold, Joe had been avoiding her, scared of being alone with her. Barbara watched Joe''s avoidance with a bit of sadness but quickly looked away and got back to her tasks.


    Joe knocked on Amanda''s door and walked in, saying straight up, "Mom, I wanna take Sadie to the beach for a couple of days."


    "Why the sudden beach trip?" Amanda eyed Joe and noticed his gloomy vibe. She asked, "Is it ''cause Micah''sing to pick up the kids, and you''re worried Sadie will get back with him?" Hearing this blunt question, Joe felt a bit embarrassed but quickly exined, "No, Sadie isn''t like that."


    "In the world of emotions, nothing is certain," Amanda said coldly. "Besides, Micah does have an edge over you."


    "Mom, please stop." Joe interrupted. The more he listened, the more uneasy he felt. His rtionship with Sadie had been stuck in neutral for the past month at the estate, and now with Micahing, he felt even more anxious. Today, he had tentatively brought up the wedding with Sadie, but she showed no interest, quickly changing the subject and then going to be with the kids.


    He was worried that, at this rate, the wedding might not happen as nned.


    That''s why he thought of taking Sadie to the beach for a couple of days. Maybe some alone time would help their rtionship.