Filed to story: The Billionaire’s Replacement Wife (River & Noah) Novel Online Free
“Even if I hadn’t killed him, someone else would have, given his personality!” Draco retorted with contempt. “What kind of place do you think Novamere is? There’s no mercy here. You should be grateful you found his remains!”
River had never encountered such a shameless person. Draco had killed someone, yet he behaved as if he were doing something righteous.
River wished she could slap him, but Noah’s remark interrupted her impulse.
“You were just scared that River’s father would overshadow you after he acquired the land! All you know are these underhanded tactics, isn’t it?”
Draco defended himself, “I don’t think I’ve done anything wrong! We strive for wealth and power–whoever employs fiercer tactics wins! Would you be the company’s CEO if not for me? Do you think your life would be so favorable without me?”
“Favorable?” Noah’s eyes filled with hatred. “What have you given me other than the violations you and Draco bled from his mouth after Noah’s severe beating.
River clenched her fists, unable to shake Draco’s words from her mind. She never expected his favoritism toward Casey to reach such extremes.
‘Does he view Jamie so poorly that he’d call her Casey’s toy?‘ she wondered.
Suddenly, police officers burst into the interrogation room, forcefully taking Noah away as they left Draco behind.
River looked at Noah, witnessing a pain she had never seen in his expression. His bloodshot eyes glowed with hatred and killing intent.
Although she longed to comfort him, her legs felt heavy, immobilizing her. How could she ease Noah’s pain when she couldn’t fully comprehend it?
Noah remained silent as they exited the station.
Upon returning to Bayview Villa, Noah locked himself in River’s study, refusing to see her.
Concerned, the children inquired about Noah’s condition.
Liora lay on River’s thighs and asked, “What’s happening with Daddy, Mommy?”
With mixed feelings, River stroked Liora’s head and replied, “Daddy’s not in a good mood, so we shouldn’t disturb him, okay?”
Tyler frowned. “Did something unpleasant happen?”
Axel added, “Didn’t you go to the police station? Did Grandpa say something that upset Daddy?”
River did not want to tell the children about the filthy, complicated matters. “We went to the police station, and there was a small conflict. However, I can’t explain it to you. For now, let’s wait for him to calm down and leave the study. Please show Daddy your care, okay?”
Tyler mentioned, “So, he’s also dealing with difficulties he can’t overcome.”
Liora glanced at Tyler. “Daddy is human too, not Iron Man!”
“Uh… Lia, Iron Man is also a human,” Axel corrected her.
Tyler chuckled. “Lia, even Axel can’t tolerate your ignorance.”
Liora clenched her fists in anger. “Stop talking, Tyler! Come on, Axel! Why are you like this, too?”
Axel hastily apologized, “I’m sorry. I was wrong, and I won’t say that again.”
Tyler’s eye twitched. “Axel, will you stop spoiling her like this?”
Axel defended, “She’s younger. Cut her some slack.”
“She’s the same age as us,” Tyler pointed out.
Axel clarified, “She’s a few seconds younger than us.”
River was slightly shocked. ‘Does Alex know?‘
She gazed at the study, contemplating how Noah would eventually discover the truth from Alex.
“Yes,” she replied.
“Can I meet you?” Alex asked.
River pondered for a moment. “Sure, where are you?”
“Downstairs.”
River glanced outside. ‘Is Alex really here in this pouring rain?‘
“Alright, I’m coming now.”
Placing the snack tray on the windowsill, River descended the stairs.
Upon stepping outside, she found Alex completely drenched in the heavy rain. He looked disheveled, his face devoid of the radiance it held just a few days ago.
The piercingly cold spring rain raised questions about how long he had been standing there.
River opened an umbrella and walked toward Alex to shield him. “Let’s talk inside, Alex. It’s raining too heavily!”
With bloodshot eyes, Alex looked up slowly. “River, does Paige have AIDS?”
River couldn’t help but clutch the umbrella tighter. “Yes.”
“Did she get it from fooling around?” Alex questioned.
River’s concerned expression turned grave. “Alex, why would you doubt Paige like this?”
“Then how did she get it?” Alex’s voice broke.
His face, covered in raindrops, made it hard to distinguish tears from rain.
“I don’t know how she got it, Alex, but don’t you know the kind of person Paige is?”
“Since she hasn’t been fooling around, why won’t she tell me about it?” Alex asked angrily.
River replied, “Is this how you see Paige? You know she was a virgin when you slept with her the first time!”
“So what if she was? The fact is, she drinks excessively and hangs out at bars!” Alex’s eyes reddened gradually.
“Is a woman who frequents bars not normal? Who are you to define her based on your ideology?” River rebuked.
“Since she didn’t do that, why won’t she tell me?” Alex roared.
This time, tears were streaming down Alex’s face. River lacked evidence to answer his question.
“Alex, don’t doubt the person you love! If you don’t trust her, don’t claim to love Paige!”
Alex needed the heavy downpour to snap him out of his foolishness in River’s eyes.
Stunned, Alex took a moment before recovering and asked, “River, can I borrow your phone?”
River declined, advising, “It might be best not to disturb Paige until you’ve thought things through. Consider if you can handle Paige’s current health condition. Are you prepared for the challenges of her illness? That’s why Paige left you. She feared passing it on to you. Alex, you’re truly disappointing at times.
Alex pleaded, “Just tell me where she is and how she’s doing, please?”
River refused again, stating firmly, “No, Alex. Go home and reflect instead of begging here. I’m certain Paige didn’t contract the illness herself. It’s a conspiracy, in my view. Think about who she interacted with when you were together!”
River walked back into the villa, leaving Alex crying in the rain. ‘No one can help him now. He needs to think things through!”
River went upstairs to find Noah already out of the study.
The second floor reeked of cigarette smoke.
River held her breath, entering the bedroom to see Noah.
She sat on the sofa, waiting for Noah to finish his shower.
Noah emerged half an hour later, wearing only a bath towel, yet there was no steam.
River looked at him in shock. “Did you take a cold shower?”
Noah confirmed, “Yes.”
River frowned, handing him a bathrobe. “It’s still cold. You’ll get sick doing that!”
“It’s fine. The smell of cigarette smoke outside is strong. I couldn’t resist and smoked a few more.” Noah put on the bathrobe.
River said, “Hmm, relieving some emotional tension is necessary. Alex came earlier.”
Noah frowned. “What brought him here? I thought you were with the children.”
River sat down on the sofa and explained, “He came to ask about Paige. He’s doubting Paige’s loyalty Noah remarked, “Just like me in the past.”
‘Are all men the same? Will they only appreciate it once they have lost something?’ she wondered.
Meanwhile, Casey woke up in the hospital and found two bodyguards in the room.
One of them was Julian, who worked closely with Noah.
His bodyguards were nowhere in sight.
Casey looked at Julian and asked, “Where are my people?”
Julian glanced at Casey but did not respond.
Casey glared at Julian. “Did you take my phone?”
Julian said, “Yes!”
“Give it back to me! It’s mine!” Casey walked over to Julian.
Julian indifferently conveyed, “My employer has instructed me not to allow you any contact with the outside world.”
Casey retorted, “Who does he think he is? I’m going to contact my father and have Noah come to me!”
Julian apologized, “I’m sorry, sir. The police have already detained your father.”
Casey, shocked, sought clarification, “What did you say again?”
Julian explained, “Your father is suspected of murder, and my employer has sent him to the police station!
‘Murder? Police? How can this be possible? Casey’s mind went blank.
Leering at Julian, Casey accused, “This is Noah’s scheme! Did he set a trap to frame my father? He’s a piece of shit for doing this! He lives up to his reputation of being a bastard born of a lowly bitch!”
Julian responded, “Your father has been detained because he murdered someone more than 20 years ago, then he killed Bernard a few days ago, Mr. Casey! All of this is the result of your father’s own actions.
It has nothing to do with my employer.”
In a burst of anger, Casey slapped Julian in the face as he finished his sentence. His once gentle expression transformed into a fierce one. “Shut up! You’re taking Noah’s side because you’re his lapdog!
Get Noah to come to me!”
Julian’s neck muscles tightened. “I won’t agree to your request without my employer’s order!”
At 10:00 p.m., River was preparing for bed after a shower when Noah’s phone rang.