Filed to story: The Billionaire’s Replacement Wife (River & Noah) Novel Online Free
As Daniella walked away, she bumped her shoulder into River as if seeking revenge for the earlier slap.
River stood in place, pondering Daniella’s remark. ‘Accident? What does she mean? Could something bad have happened to Axel? He hasn’t responded to my texts..
River couldn’t help but call Noah. In her distraction, she forgot to check the traffic. Suddenly, a loud Noah pulled her back just in time, preventing an accident.
“River! Do you want to get yourself killed?” Noah’s voice was stern.
River turned to him in astonishment. His deep frown and angry eyes met her gaze.
She regained her composure and gently pulled away from Noah’s grip, her face blushing. “I didn’t mean to risk my life… Why are you here?”
“You would’ve been hit if I hadn’t been here! What’s so important on your phone? Noah was visibly upset.
River held her phone tightly. “I was planning to call you.”
“Can’t you call me from a safe place?” Noah asked.
He controlled his emotions and spoke coldly. “What do you want from me?”
His sudden change in demeanor took River aback.
“Where’s Axel? Do you have his phone?” River finally asked what was on her mind.
Noah’s eyes shifted. “Why do you need to talk to him?”
River noticed Noah’s change and frowned. “Are you hiding something from me?”
Noah snapped, “No! Just talk!”
River pleaded, “Can you let me speak with Axel?”
“No!” Noah firmly refused.
River couldn’t lose her temper with Noah, knowing he had saved her and Liora from a dangerous situation.
She said, “If possible, please let me talk to him. I miss Axel so much.”
Noah was moved by the sight of River’s teary eyes.
Axel was in protective isolation after his bone marrow transplant. Noah believed River wouldn’t be as stressed if she learned the truth now.
Noah was about to say something when River’s phone rang.
She answered the call and said, “What is it, Kenny?”
Kenny asked, “Where are you? Did you leave the company so early?”
River replied, “I wanted to spend some time with Lia. How can I assist you?”
Kenny said, “Never mind then. I’ll head home, too. The goods will be delivered to the company in the afternoon,”
“Understood. We’ll inventory the goods later this afternoon. See you at home,” River said.
“Sure.”
After ending the call, River turned her attention back to Noah. “What were you saying earlier?”
“Nothing.” Noah replied coldly.
He decided not to tell River about Axel. She was about to leave for Mount Zenya, and he wanted to prevent her from getting distracted and putting herself in danger, River sighed. “Alright, I should get going now. Please take care of Axel.”
River turned and left shortly after.
Noah walked to his car, and Reuben said, “Sir, it was wise of you to stop the car earlier. Otherwise, Ms.
Healy might have been on her way to the hospital now.”
Noah gave Reuben a stern look. “Please refrain from speaking if you can’t do it properly!”
Reuben was stunned and quickly fell silent, realizing he had sounded disrespectful toward River. He started the car and glanced at Noah’s expression in the rearview mirror.
“You don’t look well, sir, Reuben remarked.
Noah stared out the window, unable to shake the image of River’s dejected expression when she spoke about Axel.
“Do you think I’m protecting her by not telling her about Axel? Noah asked in a low voice.
“In my opinion, yes. However, Ms. Healy has a right to know as well,” Reuben replied.
“What if I were to tell her after Axel is discharged from the hospital?” Noah asked.
“I think Ms. Healy might be upset, given her personality,” Reuben explained.
Noah closed his eyes slowly and contemplated how he would break the news to her when she returned from Mount Zenya. He didn’t want to see her become overwhelmed by Axel’s situation.
He couldn’t move on from her, and he had cared about her subtle emotions for a long time.
River returned home at noon with snacks that Liora enjoyed.
River spotted Liora in the yard immediately upon exiting the car. Liora did squats with a stern expression.
Beside her, Eira monitored the time on her phone.
River didn’t approach but quietly leaned against the front of her car, offering silent company to Liora.
After three minutes of squats, Liora couldn’t bear it any longer and dropped to her knees.
“Get up! Three rounds of deep squats now!” Eira shouted sternly, putting down her phone.
Liora rose to her feet, biting her lower lip, and followed Eira’s instructions to do more squats.
River wanted to intervene. Eira noticed her as she took two steps forward and shook her head, signaling River not to disturb Liora.
Unable to watch any longer, River retreated to the villa.
It didn’t take long before Kenny returned and called out to River from the foyer, “G!”
River replied from the living room, “I’m here.”
Kenny asked, “Why is Lia working so hard lately, G? She’s been training with Eira daily.”
River replied casually, “She’s probably trying to get in better shape.”
“That makes sense. She’s had a fever for the past two days. It’s high time she focused on her fitness,”
Kenny remarked, sitting on the sofa.
River didn’t reply but sent a text to Greta.
River: [Ms. Shawn, the production is finished. Can you come to inspect the goods later?]
Greta replied after a while.
Greta: [Can I come at 2:00 p.m.?]
River: [Certainly. Give me a call when you arrive, and I’ll meet you]
River put her phone away and commented to Kenny, who was engrossed in texting on his phone, You’ve been coming home late at night lately.”
Kenny explained, “Not really, just after 10:00 p.m.”
River wondered, ‘How is that any different?‘
“Did you go see your girlfriend?” River asked.
“No! I don’t have a girlfriend!” Kenny hastily put his phone away and responded with a panicked expression.
River teased, “Really?”
Kenny quickly stood up. “I won’t talk to you anymore. I’m going upstairs to pack my toiletries!”
River smiled as she watched Kenny hurriedly leave. She was relieved that Kenny was dating, as it meant he wouldn’t be stuck in a lingering past relationship.
Meanwhile, at Xander Residence.
Greta replied to the text and then headed downstairs to join Yuliana for lunch.
Yuliana was so absorbed in her phone that she didn’t notice Greta’s arrival.
“What are you doing, Yulia?” Greta asked.
Startled, Yuliana quickly stowed her phone away and nervously replied, I’m not doing anything.”
Greta glanced at Yuliana’s phone. “Are you in a relationship, Yulia?”
“Nah, Mom. You know I have a crush on Noah,” Yuliana replied promptly.
She wasn’t in a relationship, nor had she fallen for anyone. Instead, she was scheming to befriend someone who knew River’s secrets so she could later expose them to her mother.