Chapter 30 – The Billionaire’s Replacement Wife (River & Noah) Novel Online Free

Filed to story: The Billionaire’s Replacement Wife (River & Noah) Novel Online Free

Tears welled up in River’s eyes as she choked out, “Mom…”

“Don’t call me that!” Katie roared fiercely.

River’s entire body trembled, and she sobbed, trying to reason with her mother, “Mom, please don’t be angry. Let me explain, okay?”

Through tear–filled eyes, Katie pointed an accusing finger at River, her voice filled with hurt and disbelief, “Why would you do that? Why?”

River broke down in a torrent of tears, her voice choked with emotion. “Mom, it’s not what you. think. Please calm down. Let’s talk and sort things out, okay?”

“River! You… you!”

But before Katie could finish her sentence, she suddenly blacked out and collapsed to the floor.

“Mom!” River rushed forward, embracing Katie tightly. Then, she screamed from the ward, Nurse! Nurse! Help! My mother needs help!”

Within moments, a nurse hurriedly entered the room.

In less than two minutes, an anxious doctor arrived.

River was swiftly pushed out of the ward as the medical team urgently attended to Katie.

The commotion outside the ward had dispersed, leaving behind a vacant and silent corridor that seemed to suffocate those present with its eerie gloom.

River collapsed onto a nearby bench, her gaze vacant as she stared off into the distance.

‘If only I had realized something was wrong last night and rushed here, could I have prevented this from happening today? I should have noticed sooner that the person who wanted to harm me is still out there, likely with more schemes. But I was careless and allowed myself to be taken advantage of.

River hugged herself tightly, attempting to calm her racing thoughts, but it proved futile.

Soon, urgent footsteps echoed through the corridor, and a pair of black leather shoes came into view

“River, I’m sorry I’m late. Scott’s voice carried a deep sense of concern.

River looked up, her gaze distant. Her red and teary eyes caused Scott’s brows to furrow.

“Dr. Wilson…” Her voice quivered, nearly hoarse.

She reached out and tightly grasped Scott’s pants “Please, I’m begging you. Go in and save my mother, please.”

Don’t worry. I’ll do everything I can to save your mother. Promise me you’ll stop overthinking. okay?” Scott gently consoled her.

River nodded resolutely. “Okay…”

Scott turned around and entered the ward. When he opened the door, River heard the urgent sounds of the medical equipment.

Fear washed over her once again.

Half an hour later, the door of the ward was swung open.

Several doctors and nurses emerged from the room.

River hurriedly approached them. “Doctor, how is my mother?”

The lead doctor shook his head regretfully. “Go and see her one last time. We did everything we could.”

River stood frozen, as if her soul had left her body in an instant.

She raised a trembling hand to steady herself against the wall and slowly made her way into the ward.

At a glance, she saw her mother’s once vibrant face now worn and yellowed. A respirator covered

Katie’s mouth.

Scott sat by the bed, his expression filled with guilt as he watched River enter.

He stood up with his head lowered as he whispered, “I’m sorry, River.”

However, River remained silent.

She sat down by the bed and looked at her mother. The sight of Katie’s sunken checks caused her heart to ache so intensely it felt like it might shatter.

Suppressing the tears welling up in her eyes, River reached out and held Katie’s hand, which. was gradually losing its warmth. She leaned in close to her mother’s ear and whispered, “Mom, can you hear me?”

Katie’s brows twitched, and she struggled to open her eyes slightly. When she saw River, tears streamed down her cheeks. She tried to open her mouth, gesturing for River to remove the respirator.

River glanced at Scott, who nodded and gave his permission.

With trembling hands, River gently removed the respirator. Katie mustered all her strength to speak weakly, her voice barely audible, “River…”

River nodded firmly.

“River, don’t be a mistress. Reputation is very important for women…”

River’s lips quivered “Okay, Mom. I’ll listen to you.”

Katie closed her eyes and weakly pursed her lips. “Having you in my life is my great satisfaction.”

River bit her lips hard, but the tears couldn’t be held back.

“Mom, I’m begging you. You may be satisfied, but I’m not. I want you to stay with me. I have a plan. We’ll leave this place once you’re discharged from the hospital.”

“It’s too late… I won’t make it…” Katie’s breathing grew weaker. “River… Actually… You… You’re not… my…”

Katie’s lips moved slightly. River watch on as if in a trance, but no sound reached her ears.

The machine beside her emitted a long beep, plunging River’s heart into an overwhelming. sense of coldness.

In a rush, Noah arrived at the scene, guided by River’s desperate cries and screams that echoed from within the ward. His heart skipped a beat as he hastened his steps, eager to reach her side.

To his surprise, before he even entered the ward, he witnessed Scott tenderly patting River’s back, offering her comfort. A surge of anger replaced the initial ache in Noah’s heart, causing his fists to clench tightly at his sides.

With a tense expression on his handsome face, Noah turned to Reuben, who stood by his side, trembling with trepidation. “Shall we go in, Mr. De Marco? Reuben asked cautiously.

Noah’s face remained impassive as he pivoted, issuing a cold command “Investigate this. I want to know who’s responsible!” His voice held an icy edge.

Just as Reuben was about to depart, Noah added, “Also, send a few people to the funeral. Make sure everything goes well.”

Since Katie had no relatives or friends, River organized a simple funeral for her. Both Paige and Scott had taken leave to accompany River during this difficult time.

For three days, River barely ate or drank, and she only managed to steal a few hours of restless sleep.

Paige felt really sorry for her friend. She approached River, trying to offer solace. “River, please eat something and rest for a while. We’re here for you.”

However, River shook her head silently.

Paige sighed and was about to resume her seat when something caught her eye. She turned her head and noticed Daniella’s presence.

Daniella was here alone.

Instantly, Paige’s expression changed, and she moved to block Daniella’s path. “What are your doing here? If you’re here to cause trouble, leave now.”

Daniella raised an eyebrow. “Can’t I come on behalf of Noah?”

Paige instinctively glanced at River, who remained stoic, before redirecting her attention back to Daniella and issued a warning. “If you stir up trouble again, I’ll make you regret it!”

Daniella chuckled and pushed past Paige, stepping forward. She glanced at River briefly and then shifted her gaze to Scott, who stood beside her. After a momentary pause, she averted her eyes.

Approaching the area, Daniella offered flowers in tribute to the deceased before turning her attention to River. “Noah is busy, so he couldn’t make it. Don’t be mad at him,” she stated matter

-of–factly.

River lowered her head quietly, seemingly unaffected by Daniella’s presence and words.

Daniella snorted and squatted down, feigning comfort as she whispered, “River, there’s no pity in my heart for you. In fact, I believe you deserve every bit of this suffering. You attempt to steal my man, and every day you cling to him relentlessly. Even God Himself cannot bear witness to such audacity and is punishing you for it.”

She paused momentarily, a wicked smile dancing across her lips, before continuing. “Ah, but perhaps that wouldn’t be fitting. I should have accused you of being the one who murdered your own mothe. Wouldn’t that have been more appropriate, you little mistress?”

Upon hearing the last word out of Daniella’s mouth, River’s eyes widened in disbelief. Abruptly raising her head, she stared at Daniella with cold intensity. “What did you say?”

Daniella swiftly stood up, pretending to be panicked “River, what’s wrong with you?”

River’s eyes reddened as her anger surged. “Mistress?‘

She had been tormented by this question for days, unable to comprehend who would be so wicked as to desire her mother’s death and spread such rumors in the hospital, exposing her sick mother to unnecessary suffering.

Finally, the truth dawned on her, and there could be no one else but Daniella Daniella, who was consumed by envy, was the very person behind this atrocious act.

River stood up, her voice seething with rage. “What about me? How dare you come here! I know it was you, even if I don’t have any evidence! Daniella, you will face the consequences for everything you’ve done. Get out of here! Let my mother rest in peace! Leave! Now!”

Perceiving River’s distress, Paige sensed something was amiss and urgently inquired, “What’s – happening?”

Scott approached River and supported her by holding her arm, while casting a somber look at

Daniella. “Please leave,” he said firmly.

Infuriated, Daniella bit her lip and retorted, “How ungrateful you all are! River, you’ve lost your mind. Don’t falsely accuse me!”

River’s eyes burned with fierce coldness, bordering on a bloodthirsty glare. She angrily

Daniella hastily retreated, leaving River grinding her teeth, her face drained of color, Moments later, River collapsed to the ground, and the anxious cries of Paige and Scott gradually faded into the background.

The bodyguards stationed outside witnessed the ordeal and promptly reported the incident to

Noah. Upon receiving the news, Noah’s black eyes turned icy.

He ended the call and immediately dialed Daniella’s number. In a stern tone, he demanded, “Where are you now?”

Daniella sobbed, filled with grievance. “Noah, I haven’t done anything wrong. Why interrogate me over the phone? Don’t you trust me? Or are you starting to believe River’s accusations? Do you think I’m the one who killed her mother?”

Noah clenched his lips tightly, a frustrated expression taking hold. I’ll ask you one last time.

Where are you now?”

Daniella pleaded, “Noah, please trust me. I’ll prove my innocence.”

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