Filed to story: The Billionaire’s Replacement Wife (River & Noah) Novel Online Free
Neil quickly scanned the text, and the words ‘Mr. Hendrix‘ finally caught his attention.
In Daniella’s voice recording, she mentioned seeking Mr. Hendrix’s help in dealing with River and Noah a few times.
‘Who is Mr. Hendrix? When did Daniella meet him? Is there some grudge between him, River, and Noah?
‘he wondered.
Neil saved the voice recording in a folder and secured it with a password. Then, he grabbed his phone.
and headed out to meet Yuliana..
Twenty minutes later, Neil reached Yuliana’s location.
He found Yuliana standing alone by the street, engrossed in her phone. He got out of the car and asked,”
Where are your friends?”
Yuliana immediately found an excuse. ‘I told them to go ahead without me.”
Neil didn’t press further but led Yuliana to the car, and they set off to the ice cream parlor.
The ice cream parlor was bustling with customers despite the chilly early spring weather.
After waiting in line for half an hour, Neil and Yuliana finally found a seat.
Yuliana ordered a mango sorbet and some snacks.
Neil asked, “Yulia, why don’t you look for a job?”
“I’m not ready for a job yet. I have other plans,” Yuliana replied.
Neil knew Yuliana well enough to understand she wouldn’t share more if pushed. He simply nodded.
Yuliana couldn’t keep it in any longer and said, “Neil, aren’t you going to ask what I’ve been up to lately?”
“You’ll tell me when you’re ready,” Neil replied.
After a moment’s thought, Yuliana asked, “Neil, why did you accept River?”
The smile on Neil’s face faded. “Yulia, you shouldn’t be hostile toward her.”
Yullana argued, “I think a woman like her, who seems to be involved with multiple men, doesn’t deserve to be a part of our family. Who knows what’s beneath her innocent facade?”
“Do you think I’m like that?” Neil asked Yuliana.
“No, of course not! I know the kind of person you are, Yuliana said.
Neil leaned back. “Since you know the person I am, why do you think I can’t see River’s true character?”
Yuliana was taken aback. “Neil… I’m not saying you can’t see her character…”
“Yulia, your hostility toward her is because of your feelings for Noah. What if you didn’t have feelings for him?” Neil asked, his tone resolute.
Yuliana expressed regret. “I haven’t considered that.”
Neil continued. “Yulia, it’s natural for you to be skeptical of her and speculate based on your beliefs.
Yuliana was stunned. “She’s your biological sister, Neil. Aren’t you angry?”
“I’d be lying if I said I’m not angry. However, everyone has their own opinion, right?” Neil replied with a resigned smile.
“So?”
The waitress brought the sorbet as her voice faded.
Neil handed a spoon to Yuliana. “It’s nothing. But I’m curious. Why do you think River is promiscuous?”
“Her relationship with Noah isn’t straightforward, right? And she pursued a relationship with Dr. Wilson simultaneously,” Yuliana explained.
“Who told you that?” Neil inquired.
Yuliana replied, ‘I won’t reveal my source.”
Nell contemplated and asked, “You’ve been investigating River for a while, haven’t you? You didn’t find any evidence against her, did you?”
Yuliana looked disheartened, her shoulders slumping. “No…”
“Instead of wasting time on this, can you do me a favor?” Neil suggested.
“What is it?”
“Help me keep an eye on Scott.”
Yuliana was puzzled. Doesn’t he already know about River’s relationship with Scott? Why is he asking me to investigate him?”
Yuliana asked, “Neil, why do you want me to investigate him?”
Neil paused for a moment. “I have a feeling that Scott might not have genuine feelings for River, In fact, something seems off about him. Please help me monitor if he’s interacting with unusual people beyond his work at the hospital.”
Yuliana asked, “Why choose me instead of hiring a professional investigator?”
Neil grinned, replying, “You’re a seasoned journalist, right? Plus, this is crucial, and I trust no one else with it.”
Yuliana was amazed. ‘He doesn’t trust anyone, but he trusts me? It seems that Neil doesn’t only care about River but cares about me too!
Touched, Yuliana pledged, “I’ll help you, Neil, because of your trust!”
At noon, River and the group arrived at the Hot Spring Resort.
Seeing the empty parking lot, River voiced her concern, “It should be busy now, right?”
Paige chuckled. “You should talk to my boss about this.”
River understood. “Did he book the whole place?
Paige nodded vigorously. “Yes, to ensure last time’s incident doesn’t repeat.”
River felt grateful for Noah’s effort to protect the kids.
The hotel manager, Charon Reddick, assisted them with their luggage.
After entering, Charon checked them into a spacious three–room suite.
Charon asked, “Ms. Healy, lunch is ready. Would you prefer room service or the restaurant?”
River asked Paige, “Room or restaurant, Paige?”
“Restaurant, to avoid any food odors in the room,” Paige advised.
Charon nodded. “Very well. Mr. De Marco has an itinerary for you. After lunch and some rest, a spa session at three, followed by a soak in the hot springs. Dinner will be ready, and our staff will organize fun activities.”
River hesitated about leaving her kids with the staff.
She declined, “I’ll take care of the children.”
She Charon explained, “Mr. De Marco arranged for three medical and ten trained staff members on standby. He wants you to relax.”
River was at a loss for words.
Alex assured, “Noah’s made all the arrangements. Have fun. He cares for the kids just as much.”
Paige added, “Don’t worry, River. Many people are watching over them, and they have phones.”
River wanted to hear her children’s thoughts.
She looked at them–they were all smiles.
River relented and told Charon, “Please keep a close eye on them and contact me if needed.”
Charon assured, “No need to worry, Ms. Healy.”
She turned to Liora. “Remember to keep the amulet on, okay?”
Then she told Axel, “Rest if you’re tired.”
“And Ty, don’t stay on the computer all day. Go play,” she advised Tyler.
Paige intervened, “Relax, River.”
River stood up. “I can’t help but worry.
Paige suggested, ‘Let’s have lunch with the kids.”
At the restaurant.
The meal arrived promptly. River glanced at the door a few times, expecting Noah.
Alex passed the bread to Paige, saying, “River, stop looking. We don’t even know what Noah’s up to today.”
River blushed. “I’m not waiting for him.”
While chewing her food, Paige teased, “Your face says otherwise.”
River stayed silent but focused on cutting up the children’s food.
She wasn’t sure if she was looking forward to Noah’s presence, but she felt like something was missing when he wasn’t around.
River couldn’t help but think about how Noah still had a firm place in her heart after all this time. ‘If that’s the case, why am I fooling myself? Instead of postponing it, I should find the time to talk to him.”
After lunch, Charon and the service staff took the children away.
River and the others had some tea and then headed to the spa zone.
Alex saw them off at the door. As soon as it closed, he made a quick escape, found a secluded spot, and called Noah.
Noah picked up, and Alex said excitedly, “Noah, they’re already at the spa. I’m going to set up the place now.”
Noah impatiently replied, “I’ve been waiting for you at the mountain slope for half an hour!”
Alex walked to the lobby. “I need to take care of Paige first, right? I’m going to be a father soon!”
“Quit with the nonsense. Do you think just the two of us can handle this?” Noah frowned at the messy pile of items before him.
Alex replied, “Where there’s a will, there’s a way. I’ll do what you can’t.”
Noah said coldly. “I hope you don’t waste my effort of standing in the cold for half an hour.”
Alex retorted, “I’ve spent a lot of money to help you pursue River, okay? What’s wrong with you waiting a minute longer?”