Filed to story: The Billionaire’s Replacement Wife (River & Noah) Novel Online Free
River gave in, seeing Kenny’s determination. “Promise me you won’t act recklessly.”
“Okay!” Kenny answered.
River walked to the door with Kenny.
Wayne lay subdued on the ground, pinned by the bodyguards. However, his stream of curses showed no signs of stopping.
Upon spotting River, he snarled, “You! You’ve hidden the truth about my mother’s condition! You’re the reason she’s hurt! You better compensate!”
River didn’t want a scene outside, so she motioned for the bodyguards to take Wayne indoors.
Once the door closed, she coldly looked at Wayne. “Who told you about this?”
“That’s none of your business! My mother’s in the hospital because of you!” Wayne yelled.
River shot him a glance before sitting on the sofa. “You’re after money, right?”
“And if I am?” Wayne asked shamelessly.
River stared at him. “I won’t pay. I need that money for Ms. Smith’s medical bills. If you try forcing money from me, we’ll handle it legally. But remember, you cut ties with Ms. Smith for a decade.
“Do you really think the court will order me to compensate you? Also, the you should seek compensation from is the person responsible, and that’s not me.”
Wayne was rendered speechless.
His expression shifted before he threatened, “If you don’t pay, I’ll make your life miserable daily! You own a company, right? I’ll go there! The police can only hold me for a while, but can they convict me?”
“You have no shame!” Kenny burst out in anger. “I’ve never encountered someone who would not visit their mother at the hospital but come seeking money here like you!”
Wayne laughed. “Can’t stand me, huh? Pay up then! Give me 700,000 dollars, and I’ll leave!”
He looked at River and said, “Heard you kicked off a new company, right? You think folks will do business with you if they catch wind of your bad buzz?”
River’s fists clenched upon hearing that. She owned the company and knew the bad press wasn’t affordable, especially early on
Yet, paying this ingrate nearly a million? That was tough to swallow.
ne some
After a quick thought, River decided to play along “700,000 dollars, right? Sure, give me time to gather the funds ”
Kenny looked at River in shock. “Have you lost your mind? Why did you agree to pay him?”
River glanced at Kenny, then back at Wayne. “Will that be fine?”
River’s unexpected agreement took aback Wayne. He should have asked for more if he knew.
Wayne asked, “How many days do you need?”
River replied, “A week. I have some financial constraints after establishing the company. I’m going to need time to borrow the money, right?”
Wayne could not contain his joy and agreed. “Sure! You have one week. I’ll wait!”
River nodded and beckoned the bodyguards to let Wayne leave.
Kenny ground his teeth after Wayne left. “This is preposterous!”
River leaned against the sofa and answered nonchalantly, “These kinds of scoundrels are the most unreasonable people in this world.”
“So, are you really going to give him 700,000 dollars?” Kenny asked.
“I’m not that well–off.” River looked at Kenny in frustration
What happened to our telepathic connection? she wondered
Kenny kept quiet for a brief moment before he figured it out. “Ah! You’re trying to buy time!”
“I suppose you can say that.” River said. “Most importantly, I would like to find out who secret informant is.
Kenny gave a thumbs up. “Awesome, G!”
River called Neil before bedtime, her voice soft over the phone. “Are you still awake, Neil?”
“Yeah, River. What’s up?” Neil’s voice, though tired, remained gentle.
River furrowed her brow. “You sound really tired, Neil. Is something wrong lately?”
Neil glanced at the heap of client files before him with a faint bitter smile. “Nah, just been dealing with a bit of a sore throat lately.”
He chose not to share his plan of covertly moving his clients yet, as it would worry River. He aimed to break free from his grandfather’s control as soon as possible to shield his sister under his wing.
River offered, “I’ll have some honey sent your way tomorrow. By the way, I need a favor from you, Neil.”
“What’s that?” Neil inquired.
River explained, “I’m looking for proof about Lily’s injury and the Xanders‘ involvement in the kids‘ abduction…”
She recounted the events of the day to Neil.
In response, Neil questioned, “Are you trying to gather evidence so Wayne can demand compensation from Grandpa and Daniella?”
“Yes,” River said. “I planned on killing two birds with one stone, but the company is now involved. As such, I can only take an initial action.
“Alright, give me two days,” Neil said.
River smiled. Thank you, Neil.”
The fatigue in Neil’s eyes vanished without a trace when River called his name.
“You don’t have to thank me, River. I’ll be happy if you are well.”
River teased him. “If that is the case, I’m not sending the honey since all you need is listening to my voice.”
“No.” Neil panicked. “I will keep and treasure the things you give me.”
River said smilingly, “Alright, I’m just joking. Sleep tight, Neil. Goodnight”
“Goodnight”
After ending the call, Neil opened the voice clip on his phone It was the recording of Grayson and
Daniella’s conversation.
Ever since River’s incident, Neil had set up surveillance equipment in the house. He kept all the useful evidence he collected.
If River needed any proof, Neil would immediately provide it.
After listening to the voice clip, Neil got up and left the office.
Thirty minutes later, Neil and his team stood at the entrance of a chain hotel. He instructed his bodyguards to bring Wayne, who was staying there.
In under 10 minutes, Wayne was forcefully taken to the waiting car.
Wayne’s eyes widened upon seeing Neil, and he shouted, “Who the fuck are you? Is this some kind of abduction?”
Neil gazed at Wayne calmly and pulled out a USB drive. “This contains evidence about the person. responsible for your mother’s injury. It’s worth 700,000 dollars if you want it.”
Wayne was shocked. “Why would you help me? We’re strangers.”
Neil’s expression turned icy. “I’m not trying to help you. But you’re bothering my sister.”
“Sister?” Wayne thought about it closely and asked, “River?”
Neil said, “Yes. However, you have to do something for me in exchange for the evidence.”
“What is it?”
“I need you to tell me who told you about this incident and instructed you to seek compensation from River,” Neil replied.
Neil toyed with the USB drive and added, “I have my own ways of verifying if you are telling the truth. If I discover you’re deceiving us or causing problems for my sister after getting the evidence, you’ll need to consider whether leaving Novamere unharmed is feasible. On the other hand, your ability will decide if you can get the money.”
Neil’s tone was casual, but Wayne’s face transformed dramatically.
If this person could kidnap him openly, what other capabilities did they possess?
The realization hit him—he had underestimated River’s connections. Rather than enraging the man before him, he preferred using the evidence for compensation.
***************
Noah would not let River see Axel again if she chose the latter!
Noticing Noah’s anger, Reuben lowered his head and said, “Yes, sir.”
He was about to leave when Noah called out to him. “Fire the newly–hired bodyguards. I want a complete overhaul of the technical department staff!”
Reuben was taken aback. The previous group of employees got replaced when they couldn’t locate River, leaving only Julian Noah was really angry with River today, so he desired new staff
If this kept up, the company’s employees would feel uncomfortable.
However, Reuben refrained from speaking up and readied himself to perform the task.
At Xander Residence
The bodyguards stopped Wayne at the door.
He had learned his lesson this time. “Sir, I’m here to see Mr. Grayson Xander. Please inform him to let me in Tell him that I have a voice recording to give him”
The bodyguard said, Ill inform him. Wait here.”
Wayne waited for a few minutes before the bodyguard came and said, “Follow me.”
He led Wayne into the huge Xander Residence.
Wayne’s eyes brightened as he took in the expansive garden and the massive villa of Xander Residence. Upon entering the villa, he spotted Grayson comfortably seated on the sofa, engrossed in watching television. He hurriedly greeted, “Hello, Mr. Xander Sr.!”
Grayson turned his head and glanced at Wayne. “What do you have for me?”
Upon hearing Grayson’s directness, Wayne decided to get straight to the point. “How do you plan to make up for sending someone to attack my mother? I’m not asking for much, just one million dollars!”
Wayne adjusted his demand after being impressed by the Xander Residence’s grandeur.
Grayson’s gaze turned cold, and he sneered. “I beat up your mother? Who is your mother?”
“Lily Smith. She works for River Healy as their nanny!” Wayne replied.
Grayson laughed aloud. “I have no idea who that is!