Filed to story: The Billionaire’s Replacement Wife (River & Noah) Novel Online Free
“The next one will be better,” Noah said. (1
Alex glared at him. “Then why don’t you move on from River?”
Noah paused his document search and met Alex’s gaze. “What are your thoughts?”
Alex looked away. “I wouldn’t dare to have an opinion. I was just making a point.”
Noah remained silent, and Alex grew uneasy.
Standing up, he approached Noah’s desk and leaned in. “Noah, please listen…”
Alex explained the events of that afternoon but was interrupted by Reuben, who walked in and
Alex glared at Reuben, who was bewildered by the resentful gaze.
Noah stood up and said, “Noted. I’ll pick up Axel this afternoon.”
Reuben nodded and handed an information sheet to Noah. “Mr. De Marco, please sign the physical examination consent form for the school.”
Noah took it and signed
Alex asked, “Why are you taking Axel to the hospital?”
Noah replied, “He has lost a lot of weight recently and has no appetite. He doesn’t look well.”
Alex speculated, “Maybe he’s just upset about not seeing River. My aunt’s nephew acts the same way.
Noah looked at him coldly and asked, “Do you really think Axel is that type of child?”
Alex defended, “Axel is only five years old. You shouldn’t judge him based on your perspective!”
Noah stayed silent, wondering, ‘Am I being too strict with my child?‘
Alex suggested, “Let’s go out for lunch. The consultation is in the afternoon anyway.”
Noah agreed with a nod and headed downstairs with Alex and Reuben.
As soon as Alex walked outside, his phone rang. He noticed River was calling, so he answered, saying, “How can I help you, River?”
He glanced at Noah while speaking.
River inquired, “Where are you now? I’d like to meet you.”
Alex proposed, “I just left MK. Should we meet at Les Resto? I’ll send you the private room number later.”
“Sure,” River replied.
After ending the call, River rushed to Les Resto, which was just a few hundred meters away.
She bumped into Alex and Noah at the door. Her expression froze, and she almost lett instinctively. However, she gathered herself and said, “Let’s go inside and talk
Alex nodded while Noah briefly scrutinized River before walking inside.
Once they were seated in the private room, Alex handed the menu to River and said, “Order something.”
River declined the menu and got straight to the point. “I’m not eating. I’m here to ask you why you went on a date without Paige’s knowledge.”
Alex frowned and explained, “It was my mother’s request, and I’ve declined it multiple times. I couldn’t refuse this time.”
River questioned, “So, you’re not planning on telling your mother about Paige?”
“I need time to do that. My mother has quite traditional views,” Alex replied.
River pressed further, “So, you’re willing to let Paige endure this unfair treatment if your mother doesn’t approve of your relationship?”
Alex admitted, “I was wrong today. I shouldn’t have kept it a secret from Paige.”
River sneered. “You’re absolutely right. It’s one thing not to decline the date. You should have at least told Paige about it instead of keeping it a secret and getting caught.”
Noah suddenly snorted “What’s wrong with Alex meeting someone once when they’re not married?”
River frowned. “So, you think hiding this from Paige is okay?”
Noah picked up his glass slowly and said, “As long as there’s no cheating and the person is informed properly.”
River retorted, “It seems Mr. Price hasn’t told you the whole truth about what happened.”
Alex felt embarrassed, as he hadn’t had a chance to explain the situation to Noah due to Reuben’s interruption
Noah took a sip of water nonchalantly and continued. “You think you have the right to condemn him instead of Paige addressing it herself?”
River scoffed. “Didn’t you send Alex to meet me frequently too?”
Noah shot an annoyed look at Alex.
Alex realized he could be in trouble if Noah discovered he had frequently met River on his behalf.
After seeing their reactions, River understood that Alex had met her in Noah’s name without
Noah’s knowledge.
River scoffed, thinking, So, all those talks about Noah worrying about the kids and me are just lies? What is this, playing games with me like a fool?‘
She turned her gaze toward Alex. “If you don’t plan to be serious with Paige, Mr. Price, please let her go!”
Alex firmly rejected her plea. “I won’t. My feelings for Paige are deeper than you think!”
River mocked, “Aren’t you concerned about your parents‘ feelings anymore?”
Alex explained, “I just want to spare Paige from any trouble my parents might cause.” ”
River probed, “Are you afraid they won’t accept her, or do you lack confidence in Paige?
“You might not know her well enough. She doesn’t back down in tough situations and despises bullies and lies. You can’t shield her for her own good.”
Noah interjected, “You did something similar, didn’t you? You kept me searching for you for five years.”
River grew furious. “Noah, those are entirely different matters Please distinguish between them!”
Noah stared icily at her. “If you can’t manage your personal life, why make things difficult for
Alex?”
River remained resolute. “My personal life has nothing to do with Paige, and I don’t need your judgment! Besides, I wouldn’t be here arguing with you if he hadn’t upset Paige so much today!”
Noah sneered. “Is she too scared to confront us on her own?”
River retorted, “Do you think she wants to meet a man who deceived her?”
Alex intervened, “Alright, both of you, stop arguing about me!*
He tried to put an end to their dispute. ‘Why are they fighting over me? They seem to quartel every time they meet. Are they enemies or what?
‘Wait a minute… What if it’s just the two of them quarteling in the room? Maybe their argument could ignite something between them?‘
With this thought, Alex took a sip of water, stood up, and declared, “I’m going to meet Paige and explain things to her.”
He left the room, pulling along Reuben.
Once the door was shut, Reuben asked with confusion, “Mr. Price, why did you drag me out?”
Alex asked, “Do you think they had a rough night yesterday?”
Reuben blushed, “Uh..”
Alex patted Reuben’s shoulder. “They’re obviously holding back anger. It’s better to give them some privacy to vent, right?”
Reuben grasped the situation. “You mean they might keep arguing until ”
Alex raised an eyebrow. “I didn’t say that Why is your mind going there?”
Reuben was perplexed. I don’t think I said anything strange, did [?‘
In the private room.
River and Noah sat facing each other, creating an awkward and chilly atmosphere.
Noah casually shifted the conversation. “Have you thought about what happened last night?”
River felt a mix of anger and shame when he brought it up, admitting reluctantly, “I haven’t given it much thought ”
Noah’s expression darkened. “You still want to stay connected with him?”
River’s body tensed, and she reluctantly relented to prevent a repeat of last night. “I need to deal with something, and that’s all I can say.”
Noah furrowed his brows, suspecting, “What could she possibly want with Casey? Is she trying to extract information from him?‘
His tone grew softer. “Even if you do, there’s a safer way to approach him.”
River insisted, “I know the kind of person Casey is, but I have to rely on him to clear my doubts. Please don’t try to persuade me any further, as I’ve made up my mind. Don’t waste your time on me.*
Noah observed River, contemplating her words while recalling her defending Casey the previous night.
Noah couldn’t help but ask, “Are you trying to use him or get close to him?”
River was taken aback. “If you don’t trust me, why bother asking pointless questions?”
Noah insisted, “I just want to know the truth!”
River snapped, “Must you label everything I say as a lie?” She couldn’t control her frustration.
I must be crazy for trying to explain to him earlier. He’ll never believe me anyway, she thought to herself.
Noah scoffed “Are you getting upset because I called you out?”
River clenched her fists and took a deep breath. “Will you please get checked at the hospital for paranoia? Stop torturing me! I can’t take your constant suspicion anymore!”
River stormed out of the room, leaving Noah alone on the sofa.
‘Which one is the real her? he wondered.
In the afternoon, River told Paige about Alex’s explanation.
Paige replied, “Let him be. I’m going to take a nap.‘
River didn’t say more and focused on her work.
At 2:30 p.m., River received a message that her children had completed their physical examinations.
She also received a text from Scott.