Filed to story: The Billionaire’s Replacement Wife (River & Noah) Novel Online Free
Noah and Casey arrived at the police station. They were escorted to see Draco, who appeared disheveled and handcuffed.
Casey pushed Julian aside and stumbled forward upon seeing Draco. “Father!”
Draco gazed at Casey with a blank expression, his eyes lingering on the bandages covering Casey’s body. Despite wanting to approach, the police officer restrained him. “Control yourself, 1025!”
Suppressing his anger, Draco focused on Casey. After scrutinizing him, Draco’s eyes showed a deep sense of pain.
Seated opposite Noah and Casey, Draco asked solemnly, “Oh, Casey, what’s with the injuries on your body?
Casey turned to glare at Noah. “Him! He ordered the bodyguards to hit me!”
Draco shifted his gaze to Noah.
Noah stood with a straight back and watched the unfolding father–and–son scene, meeting Draco’s eyes with contempt.
Draco clenched his fists tightly, “Have you forgotten what you promised me?”
Noah asked, “What did I promise? I mentioned considering letting him live.”
“Father, don’t listen to him! He has no intention of sparing me! He orders his subordinates to beat me and isolate me in a hospital room, cutting off contact with the outside world!
“Father, what can I do to get you released? You didn’t murder anyone, right? You must have been set up by this man, right?”
Casey was visibly agitated as he awaited his father’s response.
Draco closed his eyes in sorrow. “Don’t waste your time, Casey.”
Casey’s body stiffened. “F–Father…”
Draco opened his eyes and revealed, “They have enough evidence for the convictions, and I’ve admitted Draco composed himself and looked at Casey in astonishment. He did not expect that his favorite son would actually say that.
He wanted to say something, but Casey continued. “You shouldn’t have married that bitch! Everything you’ve done from that day on has been nothing but a mistake! Had you not married her, a bastard like Noah wouldn’t have been born into this world!”
‘How could Casey say something so disrespectful to me?!‘ he thought.
Draco could feel his body shaking uncontrollably, and his breathing grew heavier. “Casey, you!”
Casey stood up abruptly and looked at Draco coldly. “I thought I could use you to torment Noah. Very well, you’re of no use to me! I’m disgusted to have you as my father!”
Casey’s words cut deep into Draco’s heart.
He looked at Casey with his widened eyes, and his face turned ghastly pale. He was having trouble breathing. His eyes rolled back, and he collapsed.
The police officer was shocked and called out to the outside, “The criminal has lost consciousness! Get the doctor quickly!”
Casey looked at the collapsed Draco without any remorse in his eyes.
Noah narrowed his eyes. He did not expect that Casey would actually make this move.
A moment later, Noah watched as Draco was lifted out of the room. He found Draco to be the perfect display of ‘ridiculous‘.
‘His favorite son chose to sever all ties with him eagerly after he got in trouble. What a cruel strike,‘ he said.
Noah told Reuben, “Take Casey to the suburbs. No one is allowed to let him out without my order.”
He wanted Casey to have a taste of all the pain his mother had experienced.
Reuben knew which place Noah was referring to.
He owned a villa in the suburbs near the countryside with a secret room.
One could say that the secret room was prepared for Casey, and it had finally come in handy.
Reuben nodded. “Noted, sir.”
Casey was taken away while Noah headed to the cemetery alone.
He received River’s call on his way there.
He picked up and said hoarsely, “River.”
River said, “Are you busy? I’ll call again later if you’re busy.”
“No. I’m on my way to the cemetery.” Noah placed his hand on the steering wheel.
“Cemetery? Are you visiting Jamie?” River was slightly surprised.
“Hmm. Now that the things with Casey and my father are almost settled, it’s time for me to give my mother some closure.”
River was choked up. “Shall I come with you?”
Noah arrived at Villa Rosa by dusk, picking up River and the children before heading to Grand Novamere Hotel.
They reached the hotel’s entrance half an hour later, Noah carried Liora while River held Tyler and Axel’s hands as they took the elevator to the private room.
Thomas, Greta, and Yuliana were already waiting there. Upon their arrival, Thomas and Greta eagerly approached River, Noah, and the children.
“You’re finally here. Come and give me a hug,” Greta exclaimed with a wide smile as she looked at the children.
“Aunt Greta, Uncle Thomas,” River greeted them. She instructed the children, “Say hi to Granduncle Tom and Grandaunt Greta, my darlings.”
The children followed River’s lead.
Greta took their hands and led them to unwrap their presents.
Thomas extended his hand to Noah, saying, “It’s been a long time since we last met, Mr. De Marco.”
Noah shook his hand courteously. “No need to be so formal. Just call me by my name.”
Thomas smiled, then turned to Yuliana, who was still seated. “Yulia, come and say hi to Noah.”
Yuliana blushed, stood up awkwardly, and scrutinized Noah in secret. She approached Noah and River with rigid movements, keeping her head lowered.
“Noah,” she called out softly, then looked at River and greeted awkwardly, “Hello, cousin River.”
River was surprised. ‘Why is Yuliana greeting me proactively today?”
Despite the awkwardness in Yuliana’s manner, River was pleased that Yuliana did not use offensive language as she had in the past.
River smiled and asked, “Yulia, is my brother here?”
Yuliana replied, “I think he’s on his way. He’s been busy with work lately.”
River nodded, glancing at Thomas and Noah, who stood silently by the side. “Shall we take a seat?”
Noah nodded, and both he and Thomas gestured to each other to sit down.
Softly, Yuliana told River before joining the crowd, “Frankly, I don’t know what he sees in you. Why 1/2
River couldn’t help but smile. ‘So, the friendliness earlier was just for show?‘
River smiled faintly. “What do you consider outstanding? Is it a graduate from an elite university, good etiquette, or being skilled at making money?”
Yuliana sneered. “All. Noah has all these good qualities!”
“If a person with all three traits is outstanding, then am I not considered one too?” River asked nonchalantly.
Yuliana was stunned. She frowned and said contemptuously, “I’ve met plenty of vain people, but none as vain as you!”
Greta was rendered speechless.
She had not attended an elite university and was not as good at making money as River.
She used to cuss all the time before her time abroad.
Yuliana suddenly realized that she couldn’t criticize River after the comparison. However, she couldn’t make peace with this and still found River an eyesore.
Greta held Yuliana’s hand. “Yulia, everyone has strengths and weaknesses. Your cousin is no exception.
We should learn not only to scrutinize one’s weaknesses but also to learn from one’s strengths.
“You grew up in a safe environment with us, but your cousin has led a wandering life out there. It’s very rare that she can still think clearly and know what she needs to do under the circumstances.”
Yuliana sneered. “Think clearly so she can sleep with Noah for money?”
Greta frowned. “What if you were in her place, Yulia? Have you ever put yourself in your cousin’s shoes?”
Yuliana was stunned. She had never considered that and couldn’t put herself into River’s shoes. Would she be able to support her family if the Xanders were to fall?
After keeping quiet for a while, Yuliana felt slightly guilty in her heart. She wondered if she was hostile toward River because River was dating Noah.
Yuliana pursed her lips. “I understand, Mom. I will try my best not to be so harsh to her.”
Greta knew that she couldn’t change Yuliana’s perception quickly, so she didn’t push further. “Alright. It’s good that you understand. We must be good to each other as a family.”
Just as her voice faded, the private room’s door opened, and Neil showed up. When the children saw Neil, they called out hastily, “Uncle Neil.”
Liora ran toward ‘Neil and hugged his thigh, cuddling up. “I missed you, Uncle Neil.”
Neil carried Liora affectionately. “You’re so good at saying things that make me happy.”
Liora sniggered and placed her hands on her chest. “I only speak from my heart.”
After witnessing the scene, Yuliana came up with the idea of getting the children to address her as ‘aunt‘, She had no choice but to acknowledge that Noah’s triplets were adorable. Yuliana wanted to interact with them, yet she was too proud to do so.
Neil looked at Yuliana and saw her staring at Liora. He approached Yuliana with Liora in his arms. “Lia, do you know who this person is?”
Liora cocked her head and looked at Yuliana. “Uh…Not really…”
Yuliana nervously swallowed and debated whether to touch it.
Neil smiled, saying, “Yulia, Lia’s hand is getting sore waiting for you to take hers.”
“I’m going to!” Yuliana hastily grabbed Liora’s hand.
Her eyes lit up upon contact. ‘I’m holding her hand!‘
Liora threw herself onto Yuliana, exclaiming, “Hold me, Aunt Yulia!”
Yuliana quickly extended her hand to hold Liora, her heart racing with fear of not catching the child in time.
“Whoa! You smell good, Aunt Yulia!” Liora sniffed enthusiastically.
Yuliana felt warm and fuzzy inside. She hugged Liora tightly, saying, “Thank you for the compliment, Lia.”
“Alright, come and sit!” Greta called out, smiling.
After the meal, Thomas and Neil exchanged glances before Thomas asked Noah, “Now that you’ve reconciled with River, what’s the next step for you?”