Filed to story: The Billionaire’s Replacement Wife (River & Noah) Novel Online Free
Despite her envy, Daniella she maintained her gentle and virtuous demeanor in front of everyone.
A few hours later, they returned to Novamere City. This time, Noah didn’t ask Reuben to give River a ride back to Villa Rosa. Instead, they went to the company together.
Upon stepping back into the office that she hadn’t seen in so long, River was taken aback by the sight of the missing glass wall that once separated her office from the president’s office. Now, it was transformed into a shared space. Her excitement about returning to the company instantly shattered
‘Does he intend to monitor my every move and word?‘
A surge of anger ignited within her, and she stormed towards Noah, who was seated at his desk.
Don’t you think you’re crossing the line here?”
Noah looked up calmly. “Are you upset?”
“Upset? How dare he ask me that? Would he accept being monitored in the same way?‘
River gritted her teeth. “I don’t feel like working right now. I want to leave.”
Noah’s handsome face sank. “Are you planning to run off and schedule with Doctor Wilson the perfect time to meet him when I’m not around?”
She stared at him wide–eyed and asked, “Can you stop being so unreasonable?”
Noah found her reaction amusing and thought inwardly, “Lately, she has been showing her emotions openly in front of me. She’s more intriguing when she’s irritable rather than maintaining her distant facade.‘
Noah picked up a document on the desk and tossed it to her. “Instead of spouting nonsense, you better focus on this task.”
Her anger was abruptly interrupted, and she stared at the document for a moment before. reluctantly beginning to work on it.
At five o’clock in the evening, Daniella popped into Noah’s office.
Her face turned grim when she realized that River and Noah’s offices had been merged.
Coincidentally, Noah was absent. Always the opportunist, Daniella approached River.
*River, I must say, I’m impressed,” Daniella mocked.
River looked up at her icily. “You flatter me.”
Infuriated, Daniella’s face reddened. “Do you really believe you can win his heart? Don’t forget, he was the one who stayed by my side when I fell ill!”
River nodded thoughtfully. “Oh, if you were so affectionate with him, why did he rush to my aid when I needed help?”
Daniella’s anger flared up at the mention of that incident.
“Cut the act. What will it take for you to leave him?”
With a sneer, River stood up and approached Daniella. “Let’s get this straight. He’s the one who refuses to let me go. And why are you so proactive? Are you attracted to his handsome appearance or his high social status?”
With each sentence River spoke, she took a step closer to Daniella.
Daniella was forced to retreat, panic flickering across her delicate face. “Nonsense! I just have a crush on him.”
River laughed coldly. “Really? I’m quite curious how you always know exactly when he will appear at the company. And why do you always happen to be downstairs at the perfect time to meet him? Everything just seems a little too coincidental. I don’t mind if you want to pursue him, but please remember one thing: Don’t keep provoking me! You’re not even his wife yet. What right do you have to boss me around?”
Being retorted, Daniella’s charming face became hideous.
As Daniella prepared to respond, the door suddenly opened, causing her to stumble and end up sitting on the floor, tearfully and pitifully exclaiming, “Ms. Healy, I only want to repay Noah’s kindness. Why are you scolding me?”
When River saw Daniella’s pretentious pitiable state, she knew Noah had returned.
She stood calmly, observing the man as he entered the office.
Noah glanced at River before reaching out to help Daniella up. Frustration seeped into his voice, albeit subtly.
“You should go home first.”
Shock enveloped Daniella. “Noah, I…”
“Go home!” He didn’t give her a chance to refuse.
Daniella burst into tears and hastily fled the room.
Once the door closed, River inquired, “Why aren’t you blaming me for mistreating your first
Noah glared at her, then loosened his tie. “I know what you’re trying to do.”
Amused, River retorted, “And what, pray tell, am I trying to do?”
Noah narrowed his cold eyes and approached, pinching her chin. “You’re simply trying to disgust me so that I’ll drive you out of Villa Rosa. And then, you’ll be free to escape to distant lands with Doctor Wilson, am I right?”
River was at a loss for words.
‘Why is he entertaining such wild thoughts?”
She felt a dull pain in her chin, prompting her to pull away without denying his words.
“In that case, I’ll continue tormenting Daniella every time I see her, just as you suggested.”
“River!” Noah roared, his breath heavy.
His eyes burned with anger, as if he wanted to tear her apart. “How many times do you think you can bully her?”
River was taken aback. “What do you mean?”
Noah withdrew his hand. “She saved my life, so I’ll do everything in my power to repay her.
“If you wish to avoid severe consequences in the future, you’d better stop tormenting her.”
River’s expression twisted with disdain. “If that’s the case, then you better make sure to discipline her properly from now on. Tell her to stop finding fault with me all the time!”
With those words, River forcefully stormed out of the room, leaving Noah standing alone in his office, his brows furrowed in thought.
After a moment, he retrieved his phone and dialed Reuben’s number. “How’s the investigation progressing?”
Reuben’s voice came through the line. “Mr. De Marco, the deputy dean has passed away, so we couldn’t confirm anything. However, we did find the teacher who taught Ms. Love that year.”
He continued, “She explained that Ms. Love was bullied during that time, which caused her to suffer from some sort of trauma. But the orphanage covered it up.”
A dark cloud crossed Noah’s face.
“There’s another matter,” Reuben added.
“Go on,” Noah urged
“The dean informed me that the girl with the red mole on her earlobe went by the name Lyra. It’s possible that Ms. Love changed her name after being adopted.”
Deep lines etched across Noah’s forehead. “Did you manage to contact her adoptive parents?”
Reuben replied, “I had someone reach out to them, but by the time our contact went to their address, they had already moved without leaving any traces behind.”
“Keep investigating.” Noah commanded firmly.
Knock! Knock! Knock!
Suddenly, a knock interrupted their conversation. “Mr. De Marco! Please come to the fashion design. department immediately. Ms. Love has collapsed.”
When it was time to leave work, River realized she was the last one remaining in the office. To her surprise, Reuben was not waiting for her at the company entrance as usual.
Feeling a sense of relief, she made her way toward the road, intending to hail a taxi and visit her mother at the hospital. However, after waiting for over ten minutes, she grew impatient.
Just then, a Lamborghini stopping in front of heri.
The car window rolled down, revealing a gentle and vaguely familiar face. “Ms. Healy?” the man inquired.
River was momentarily taken aback, trying to recall where she had seen that face before. After a brief moment, she asked, “Mr. Xander?”
A smile crept onto Neil’s face as he spoke tenderly, “Where are you headed? Allow me to give you a ride.”
“It’s alright, I can find a taxi,” River tactfully declined.
Neil persisted, “It might take you at least an hour to find a taxi during this rush hour. Let me save you the trouble.”
River was struck speechless.
Reluctantly, she accepted the offer and got into the car, wanting to reach the hospital sooner.
After fastening her seatbelt, Neil turned to her with a smile, “Where are you going?”
River replied, “Novamere Private Hospital. Thank you, Mr. Xander.”
Neil chuckled. “It’s no trouble at all. I still owe you a sincere apology for my cousin’s behavior the other day.”
Awkwardness settled between them. “That wasn’t your fault. You don’t have to apologize to me.
Neil turned to look at her. “Are you sick? Why are you going to the hospital?”
River shook her head. “No, my mother is hospitalized.*
Stunned by her reaction, remorse flickered in Neil’s eyes. “I’m sorry to hear that,” he offered.
sincerely.
River responded with a casual smile before falling into silence. Meanwhile, Neil couldn’t help but steal glances at her, struck by the uncanny resemblance she bore to his mother.