Filed to story: The Billionaire’s Replacement Wife (River & Noah) Novel Online Free
However, she hadn’t anticipated that River was pregnant with Noah’s child.
Was that the reason Noah hadn’t insisted on River leaving? Had he learned of her pregnancy?
It seemed that she had to find a chance to sound him out.
If…
If she were to carry Noah’s child…
River’s child would not be as precious as hers.
Daniella pondered the idea for a while, then suddenly recalled something
She sent a text to Nic. [Nic, I miss you. When are you coming to see me?]
River received an email in the afternoon a few days later. She had passed the preliminary round of the online fashion competition.
However, the excitement she once felt about being selected had waned. In the past, she had pursued her dreams for the sake of her mother and children. Now, she did it for her children alone.
Glancing at the time for the second round of the competition, she closed the email without much enthusiasm.
Suddenly, her phone rang beside her.
Upon seeing that it was Paige calling, she answered.
“River, come down here immediately. Something’s wrong!” Paige’s voice was filled with nervousness.
River maintained her composure as she inquired, “What’s the matter?”
Paige explained in a hurried tone, “Your father is downstairs, just outside the company. Hurry up and make him leave before he causes a scene.”
Furrowing her brow, River thought, ‘It’s only the tenth, and they’ve already released him.”
“Got it. I’ll be there shortly.” With that, she ended the call and made her way downstairs.
Bradley stood outside the company with his hands in his pockets, his face covered in stubble as he gazed up at the skyscraper.
That b*tch dared to get me locked up! I suffered so much in there,‘ he seethed with anger. ‘I will make her pay for it today.’
Lost in his thoughts, he suddenly erupted, bellowing, “River, you come down now!”
The company’s security guards had already noticed Bradley, but they refrained from intervening as he was merely observing from a distance. However, his loud outburst threatened the company’s image, so a security guard swiftly approached him.
“Sir, please refrain from shouting outside the company’s premises,” the guard urged.
Bradley spat on the ground before retorting, “Don’t you dare stop me! I’m here to find my daughter.
It’s none of your business.”
The bodyguard frowned, insisting, “If you’re looking for a family member, please make a phone call.”
“My phone’s battery died. Help me get her down here,” Bradley requested.
The security guard inquired, “What is your daughter’s name?”
“River! Her name is River,” he replied.
Coincidentally, Daniella arrived just in time to hear their conversation as she stepped out of her car. Her body tensed, and a glimmer of cunning intent flashed in her eyes. Taking a few steps. forward, she approached Bradley and asked, “Sir, are you River’s father?”
Bradley turned around, looking at her with confusion. “Who are you?”
“I’m River’s colleague. Why are you looking for her?” Daniella asked, feigning a friendly smile.
Raising an eyebrow, Bradley responded, “I’m here to get even with her and ask for money. Can you believe she had me locked up in prison?”
Pretending to be shocked, Daniella asked, “River did that?”
Bradley cursed, “She’s fucking shameless!”
Daniella echoed his words, adding, “Indeed, that’s infuriating. Sir, how about this? I’ll give you the money you need. Just give me your contact number. If there’s anything, text me, and I’ll inform River. Making a scene here will only tarnish your reputation, don’t you think?”
Bradley’s eyes lit up at the mention of money, and he eagerly shared his contact number. Daniella.
After putting away her phone, Daniella said, “Sir, please don’t mention to River that we met. I prefer to keep my good deeds hidden from others.”
Bradley nodded firmly. “Okay, I won’t say anything.”
When River arrived downstairs, Bradley was sitting on a flower bed by the company entrance She walked up to him, her gaze cold as she questioned, “What are you doing here?”
Bradley glared at her. “I’m here to teach you a lesson!”
“Is that so?” River snorted. “Go ahead, as long as you’re not afraid of ending up in prison for a few years.
A flicker of fear crossed his face. “I won’t hit you, but I’ll make you suffer.”
River leaned slightly and extended her hand. “Feel free to try. Let’s see who ends up being thrown out–me or you.”
Her desperate behavior made Bradley yearn to hit her vigorously, but he knew that she always valued righteousness before her family, so he restrained himself.
“Give me money!” Bradley changed the subject.
River responded firmly, “I won’t give you a penny anymore. You want to exploit our relationship for money? I’ve given you enough over the years. I helped you repay your debts in the past because I didn’t want Mom to be disturbed at the hospital. But now that she’s passed away, I won’t continue paying off your debts.”
With those words, she turned away and left.
Bradley remained rooted to the spot, shocked. “Katie… is dead?”
After work, River went out for dinner with Paige. They chose a relatively quiet restaurant.
After placing their orders, Paige broached the topic. “River, haven’t you informed the boss about your pregnancy?”
River calmly sipped her tea. “Why do you ask?”
Paige explained, “That pretentious woman is so repugnant. She claims the boss gave her a bank card to spend freely.”
River’s heart skipped a beat. “He adores her so much.‘
Although bitterness lingered in her heart, it wasn’t as intense as before. River set her cup down and replied, “Hmm, it’s pretty good.”
Paige sighed. “By the way, you asked me to keep an eye on Daniella, to see if she takes her medication. Do you still remember?”
River responded with a question of her own “Did you find anything?”
Paige shook her head. “I had someone follow her for a while because of this. I even know which building she resides in. The person I hired informed me that a man entered Daniella’s house the night before yesterday.”
River was stunned. “A man?‘
Noah was occupied with work at Villa Rosa on that night. Who could have entered Daniella’s house?
“Could it be… her foster father?” River speculated.
She had heard that Daniella’s foster parents had come to Novamere City.
Paige pursed her lips. “He had blond hair. He looked like a gangster, but of course, he’s not her foster father.”River was at a loss for words.
Paige continued, “Let’s not cause a commotion just yet. I’ll investigate further.”
River agreed, knowing it was unwise to confront Daniella without sufficient evidence. Even though she desperately sought something to expose Daniella’s true nature, she wouldn’t alert
Daniella until she had concrete proof.
As they finished their dinner and prepared to settle the bill, River’s phone rang unexpectedly. It was Noah calling. Feeling a slight unease, she answered the call.
Noah’s voice sounded hoarse and tinged with anxiety. “Where are you?”
River glanced at Paige and told him the restaurant’s location.
“You didn’t bring along any of the bodyguards, did you?” he asked.
Suddenly, River became anxious. “Why? What’s happening?”
Check out the trending news online. And remember, don’t leave the restaurant until Reuben arrives,” he said in a cold tone.
River’s hands trembled as she checked her Facebook after ending the call. To her dismay, she came across a series of alarming trending topics that caught her attention:
“Heartless chief secretary of a famous company cruelly sends her father to jail!”
Her face turned pale upon reading the headline. Overwhelmed with anxiety, she clicked into the comment section, her finger shaking uncontrollably.
“Can you believe such a person exists? And she’s the secretary of that famous company?”
“I know someone who works there. Rumor has it she’s a mistress.”
“She’s not fit to be working at a prestigious listed company. This sets a terrible example for newcomers!”
“Trash! Bitch! Disgusting!”
Disturbing words flooded her vision, engulfing her in a sense of icy dread. She was well aware of the destructive power that words held, capable of tarnishing a person’s reputation.
Paige noticed her distress and quickly inquired, “What’s wrong? Are you feeling unwell?”
Panicking, River thrust her phone in front of Paige, revealing the distressing content on the screen.
Seeing what was on the screen, Paige was enraged. “Who the hell is responsible for spreading this.
nonsense?!”
River pinched her palm, trying to regain composure. As she had orchestrated her father’s arrest in front of numerous hospital patients, it seemed plausible that someone might have witnessed it. However, why had this news only surfaced now?
She checked her phone again, searching for any videos but found none. She instantly ruled out the patients and their families as potential culprits.
Looking up at Paige, she said, determination flickering in her eyes, “Paige, get someone to find out who posted this and when it was posted.”
Paige nodded, concern etched on her face. “Of course, but for now, you must return home. If someone wants to harm you, they might be watching you right now. If you don’t leave soon, they could escalate things.”
Just as Paige finished speaking, Reuben’s call came in.
River and Paige exited the building and spotted the familiar car waiting for them.