Filed to story: The Billionaire’s Replacement Wife (River & Noah) Novel Online Free
He managed to push down his fear and worry for his mother’s sake, aware of his illness.
River’s heart ached deeply as she caught sight of Axel lowering his head in the rearview mirror.
“Axel, feel free to share your likes and dislikes with me. You have the right to decide for yourself. If you’re uncomfortable around a stranger right now, I’ll be here to keep you company as you gradually get used to new things
Axel’s dim gaze slowly brightened. He cautiously but happily asked, “Really?”
“Yes, my dear. You don’t need to worry about anything when I’m here.”
Axel smiled. “That’s good…”
River felt a pang of sadness. She struggled to grasp the full extent of Daniella’s emotional toll on Axel.
All River could do was expose Daniella to public scrutiny and do her best to shield and support Axel.
When River returned to Bayview Villa, Scott was already playing with the two children.
Upon hearing the noise, the children rushed over and brought Axel into the house.
They introduced Axel to Scott.
Liora said, “Axel, this is Papa Wilson. You can also call him Papa Wilson”
Axel seemed nervous, trying to speak, but no words came out.
With a smile, Scott said casually, “That’s alright, Axel. You don’t know me yet, so you can use that name once you get to know me. If you prefer, you can call me Uncle Scott.”
Axel visibly relaxed upon hearing that.
Tyler guided him to a seat, and the four of them started playing with Legos.
Scott glanced at River and signaled her to trust him with Axel for a while.
River went upstairs and entered the study to access her laptop s encrypted files.
Inside were DNA test reports for her, Daniella, and Neil, along with evidence of Danielle’s false identity discovered by Neil. The most crucial item was the video call where Daniella and Nicholas colluded
River had Nicholas to thank for storing this evidence due to his unique hobby. She planned to gauge Daniella’s reaction in two and a half months.
However, one doubt lingered in River’s mind. There seemed to be someone who had concealed. the evidence of Daniella’s murder years ago, as well as facilitated the child swap
River deduced that Danielle aimed to keep the Xanders and De Marcos in the dark about this. The question remained: who was the person assisting her?
Lost in thought. River stood up, walked to the window, and sipped her drink.
Unbeknownst to her, Julian had already snapped her photo from the opposite building the moment she revealed her face.
Noah was on a business trip in Oceania City. He awoke in his hotel room and received photos from
Julian.
One showed River by a window, and the other displayed her picking up Axel.
Upon seeing her familiar, confident face, Noah’s chest tightened. It was River–he had been right. She was alive!
He had been searching all over the world for her for five years, but she never appeared.
She hadn’t even tried to contact him. Now that she was back, she seemed to be hiding from him.
Did she truly want to avoid him that badly?
Noah clenched his fist. He was determined to uncover how River planned to stay hidden.
Shortly after, he viewed a picture of River leaving with Axel. He narrowed his eyes, pondering River’s intentions with Axel.
Was she venting her anger for Daniella on him?
Noah sat upright, immediately called Julian, and instructed him to track River’s every move until his return.
In the afternoon, Daniella stared at two photos on the table with a malicious expression The boy in the photo resembled Noah, and the girl looked like River!
‘River is still alive? And she is living in Novamere with her two children now? How could she have the audacity to come back, especially with the label of a murderer?
‘River’s two children share a class with Axel. Has Axel met them before?
If Axel recognizes the children or it River discovers Axel is her child, she won’t leave here.
anymore.
Daniella’s fists clenched as she had those thoughts. She should have found a way to eliminate River and her unborn children from the beginning!
“No! I can’t give up now!” she muttered.
Danielle grabbed her phone angrily and called the police.
“Hello! I want to report a murderer!”
At Bayview Villa, River was getting ready to take her children to a restaurant for a meal she had reserved.
Someone knocked on the door as she was about to head downstairs after changing.
opened the door and her expression turned serious at the sight of the police.
The police officers showed their badges. “Hello, is Ms. Rivella Healy at home?”
Lily quickly looked at Scott.
Before Scott could react, River’s voice came from the staircase landing. “Who is it, Ms. Smith?”
The police officers entered without waiting for Lily’s response. They pulled a photo from their database to compare it with River’s.
Seeing that River closely resembled the murder suspect, the lead officer spoke sternly. “Please come with us, Ms. Healy.”
Liora quickly moved and blocked the stairs before River could reply. Her chubby cheeks were puffed in anger as she said, “Why are you taking my mommy, Mr. Police Officer?”
Tyler and Axel joined them, both stern–faced
Tyler’s voice was icy. “You can’t take her without a reason
Axel’s tone matched “Tell us the reason.”
The three kids eyed the officers with hostility. They defended their mother, afraid she would be taken away.
Scott and River, though, were unusually composed. They exchanged a glance and worked together.
Scott soothed the children while River descended the stairs calmly. She approached the officers and asked, “I can go with you, but could you please explain what I’ve done wrong?”
The lead officer replied, “Someone reported you as a murderer who faked death to escape prison
“Mommy’s not a murderer! This is crazy!” Liora yelled, breaking free from Scott’s grip and clutching River’s thigh.
“Child, please let the police do their job. We’ll investigate and release your mother if all’s well,” the lead officer assured.
River comforted Liora with a pat, then addressed the officers, “I’ll come with you. But for the kids sake, let’s not mention this, to protect them.”
The lead officer nodded, saying, “Let’s go.”
As River left with the officers, Liora looked at Scott with tears. I don’t like you anymore, Papa Wilson! Why didn’t you defend Mommy when the police got it wrong?”
Scott leaned over, caressed Liora’s head, and explained gently, “It’s not that I don’t want to help your mother, but I trust her. Why would she be scared of the police if she didn’t do anything wrong? We should encourage her to prove her innocence now so the police won’t bother us frequently in the future, right?”
Liora was convinced. She sobbed and asked, “Really?”
Scott nodded. “When have I lied to you before, Lia?”
Tyler pulled Axel aside. “We must figure out a way to save Mommy.”
Axel looked at him. Til do it, Ty.”
Tyler looked at him in puzzlement. “Do you have a way?”
Axel pursed his lips. Investigate, then come up with a solution.”
Tyler nodded and led Axel upstairs.
Julian hastily texted Noah after River was taken. [Mr. De Marco! The police have taken Ms. River)
Noah was getting ready to discuss a mining industry partnership with Otis Seaward from Oceania
City.
Upon receiving Julian’s text, Noah’s expression turned serious. He stood up quickly, glancing at
Otis “Mr. Seaward, I must leave for an urgent matter.”
He left the cafe before Otis could reply.
Seeing Noah’s departure, Reuben noticed Otis looking displeased. He caught up with Noah and said, “Mr. De Marco, this…”
Noah kept walking without pausing “Arrange the earliest flight to Novamere. The police have taken River.”
Reuben was shocked, thinking, “Would Mr. De Marco really abandon a billion–dollar collaboration for Ms. Healy? Wait, the police?‘
Reuben realized that if River’s true identity was revealed, she would have to return to prison.
River sat in the police station and looked at the detectives, Ross Webb and Wendy Walsh, seated opposite her calmly.
Ross and Wendy had already interrogated her for an hour, yet they refused to let her leave despite not having substantial evidence
River missed her children, so she said, “Is there anything else?”
“I’m sorry, but we can’t let you go yet.” Wendy said sternly.
River looked toward them nonchalantly. “You’ve interrogated me thoroughly. What else is there to suspect?”
Five years ago, Neil created a false identity for her. He had asked a friend abroad to carefully organize Rivella Healy’s background from childhood to now.
This is why River could remain so composed being here.