Filed to story: The Billionaire’s Replacement Wife (River & Noah) Novel Online Free
Alex pursed his lips. “Will you unblock my number then?” prs | | Lucas looked at Alex. ‘What’s with the subservient tone?” Paige said, “I’ve already unblocked you. Go back and update me about River’s condition if you get to see her.” Even though she did it for River, Alex was glad that he was no longer blocked. He knew that he would have the chance to regain Paige’s companionship.
Meanwhile, at Cheasia.
Scott rushed to the hospital soon after disembarking from the plane with | Reuben and Elvira.
Reuben felt his heart wrench in pain at the sight of Grand East Hospital’s sign : upon his arrival. He suppressed his emotions and walked behind Scott into the hospital.
They got into the elevator to head to the VIP floor before Reuben began to frown.
Reuben thought, “Who are we visiting?” The elevator door opened, and Reuben saw two bodyguards guarding the door of a ward.
The bodyguards greeted Scott respectfully, “Mr. Hendrix.” Scott ignored them and opened the door to River’s ward. His heart sank at the sight of River lying on the bed in silence, her face ghastly pale.
Soon afterward, he noticed River’s wrist wrapped in a thick bandage. i Scott pursed his lips and approached River.
Reuben and Elvira followed behind.
Reuben was stunned when he saw River. ‘Ms. Healy? Why is she here?” Reuben lowered his gaze when he saw River’s clearly sunken cheeks.
Reuben thought, ‘Mr. De Marco and Mr.
Xander’s matters have greatly affected Ms. Healy…” River opened her eyes slowly while Reuben was deep in thought.
Scott stared at River’s reaction.
| River’s eyes moved, probably noticing the people around, and she looked at the man in a black suit__ standing next to her.
Her chest tightened with anxiety when she saw him.
“Noah…” River opened her eyes wide to look at the face while she called out.
She held her breath when she noticed it was Scott. Her pupils shook twice before she smirked self-mockingly and looked away in disappointment.
Scott thought, ‘What is she thinking? Noah is dead! She is still so naive, thinking that dead people can come back to life?” Scott’s brown eyes turned cold. “How much does she look forward to seeing Evsan again? The disappointment and sarcasm became evident when she saw it was me.” ee Scott sat next to the bed and asked nonchalantly. “Why did you attempt suicide?” River did not speak. She just looked into the night outside the window.
Scott felt agitated for no apparent reason after failing to get a response from River.
“Doesn’t it hurt to harm yourself? It’s not worth it.” “What is worth it then?” River was unusually calm.
Scott said, “Being alive is worth Ea River blinked slowly and looked at | Scott. “Don’t you find your words | ironic?” Scott looked at River in silence—he : understood what she meant.
River’s gaze was still when she said, “You shouldn’t have gotten Daniella to shoot me. You should have commissioned a professional hitman.
This way, I wouldn’t need to face the pain of losing them, and I wouldn’t have even failed at committing suicide.”
Reuben was stunned upon hearing River’s remark. ‘Mr. De Marco was probably in a rush to come back after learning about the incident, huh?’ Reuben looked at Scott, thinking, ‘He has probably pre-arranged everything from the start! It’s terrifying how intricate Scott’s thoughts and planning are!’ Scott said, “Time will lessen your pain, River.” “Stop calling my name!” River’s eyes widened abruptly.
She glared at Scott and snarled as if she was mustering every ounce of strength she had, “You disgust me!” Scott’s hand that was placed on his thigh clenched ever so slightly.
Before he could speak, River said sarcastically, “You want me to die badly, right? If that is the case, why do you stop me then?” River smirked. “I know. You’re back to see if I’m properly dead, aren’t you? I’m very sorry for defying your wish to die successfully!” Scott stared at River nonchalantly.
She had already lost the spirited energy she once had.
After staring for a while, he turned his head and said, “Elvira, Reuben, go outside.” River only noticed the people behind Scott when he said that.
The resentment in River’s eyes faded ever so slightly when she saw Reuben. – The word ‘traitor’ came into her mind.
River clutched the blanket tightly and watched Reuben leave the room in anger.
Sensing River’s gaze, Reuben kept his lips pursed in silence.
The door was shut, and Scott adjusted his sitting posture. “River, do you still remember me telling you about my mother?” Scott sighed. “She engaged in self- harm behaviors just like this after the man left. It’s not worth harming one’s body for just a man.”
River thought, ‘Just a man?” River was so furious that her tears wet the pillow. She clenched her teeth and said, “A heartless man who resorts to dirty tricks isn’t worthy of saying this!” Scott looked at her. “So, in your perception, your children are not even worth one Noah?” River’s heart wrenched in pain upon hearing about the children.
She did not have the courage to find out what Scott had done to her children! She was worried that she would lose her mind if she were to find out about more bad news! Yet, River could not refrain from asking, “Where are… my children?” Scott said, “They have been staying in the next room all this time.” River felt slightly relieved to know they were fine. Yet, she was heartbroken upon thinking they were imprisoned just like her.
“If you want the children to be safe, don’t attempt suicide again,” Scott reminded River.
River wanted to say something, but she could not speak.
River thought, ‘Do I still have the ability to make requests to Scott when he has the power to take lives so easily?” River took a deep breath to suppress her longing for her children. “Are you going to keep me imprisoned and stop me from seeing my children?” Scott said, “You are well aware of their capabilities. Do you think I’d set you free?” “What is the point of keeping me imprisoned?” River calmed down gradually.
Scott raised an eyebrow. “Rest well, and let’s not talk about other things for the time being.” River sneered. “Do I still hold any utility value to you? You’ve already killed those you want to kill, and you have ruined me. What else do you want to do?” Scott stood up. “Rest well. Consider doing it for the children.” Scott walked out of the room with mixed feelings in his gaze.
Elvira approached and asked, “What’s going on with you, Mr. Hendrix?” Scott looked up again—his emotions seemed to have reverted to their previous state.
He ordered, “Free everyone else and send them to Xander Residence, except River. On the other hand, assign bodyguards to watch them at all times and update me immediately if there’s anything.” Elvira replied, “Yes, sir.” Reuben observed Scott from the side.
Reuben pondered, ‘I can’t figure out Scott’s goal of monitoring Ms. Healy and her children. Now that Mr. De Marco is gone and Mr. Xander is missing, is he still worried that someone might pose a threat to him?” An hour later, the children and Greta were sent back to Xander Residence. In fact, their phones were returned to them.
Greta wanted to send a text to Yuliana when she got her phone.
Axel stopped her and glanced at the bodyguard posted at the door and the surveillance cameras in the villa. He said, “Grandaunt Greta, don’t do it for now.” Greta was stunned. “I have to let your granduncle and Yu—” “Grandaunt Greta,” Tyler interrupted.
He approached Greta and tugged at her top, beckoning her to bend over.
She complied, and Tyler whispered, “Don’t mention Aunt Yulia at home. I think the devil hasn’t noticed her.” Greta looked at Tyler in astonishment, and Tyler nodded at her.
Greta breathed out and said, “Alright. I shall notify your Granduncle Tom then.” Greta texted Thomas: [I’m home.] Soon afterward, she put away her phone and summoned the service staff while asking the children for their meal requests.
Tyler and Axel were easygoing, but Liora sat on the sofa without responding when asked.
Greta frowned and sat next to Liora.
“Lia?” Liora was staring at a spot without blinking. — “Grandaunt Greta, I’m not picky. I’m fine with anything,” said Liora.
Tyler and Axel exchanged glances.
Liora would have already been making requests if this were an ordinary day.
On the other hand, she appeared to have changed, as if she had transformed into a different person.
She had lost her vitality and curled up on the sofa.
Tyler was distressed by her state. “How long are you going to keep being like this?” Axel frowned and tugged at Tyler. “Ty, give her some time to regain composure.”
“Regain composure? How long has she been at this? We have gone through the same things as her! If we can pull ourselves together forcefully, why can’t she?” Liora’s eyes glistened when she heard Tyler’s remark. Her arms that were wrapped around her knees tightened.
Tyler shoved away Axel’s hand and walked over to Liora. “Get up, Liora!” Liora kept her lips tightly pursed in silence.
Tyler clenched his teeth in rage.
“Liora! I’m not going to repeat myself again! Get up!” Liora suddenly looked up and shouted at Tyler, “I don’t want to! I don’t want to get up! I can’t do anything! I can’t save Uncle Neil or Uncle Kenny! I can’t stay with Mommy!” Sl Tears fell from her eyes as she spoke.
She sobbed and complained, “I’m not as capable as you and Axel when it comes to working on the computer. All I know is to eat and sleep. Even if I can sense something, there’s nothing I can do! I hate myself for being like this!” Liora jumped off the sofa, shoved Tyler away, and ran upstairs swiftly.
Tyler stood in the same spot in a daze.
Axel was worried and went after Liora hastily.
Greta sighed because she felt helpless at this point and looked at Tyler concerningly. “Ty…” | Tyler lowered his gaze and appeared dejected. x Greta felt her heart wrench in pain.
Ty, Lia…” “No need to say more, Grandaunt Greta. It’s my fault for not considering Liora’s feelings.”
It seemed as though River sought some reassuring information from Yuliana’s expression through her eager eyes.
Yuliana pursed her lips, appearing sorrowful. “River, we’ve already accepted the reality.” River’s lips trembled. “What reality? Are you asking me to accept the fact that my brother is dead? Where is his body then?” Yuliana looked away. “It’s not found yet, but you should know that surviving the crash in the river is challenging.” River loosened her grip on Yuliana’s hand, and her hand dropped to the mattress.
Yuliana remained quiet briefly. “Also, you should move on from Noah’s matter, too.” River’s face turned ghastly pale.
“Have…” River took a deep breath and said, “Have Noah’s remains been found?” Her lips and body trembled as she spoke.
Yuliana could see that River was controlling herself with great effort by how tightly she clutched the blanket until her knuckles turned white.
Yuliana shook her head. “I don’t know, but you can ask Alex and the others.
They might know.”
River shook her head. “I don’t have the chance to connect with them because Scott confiscated my phone.” Yuliana chuckled sarcastically. “Since you don’t know anything now, how dare you attempt suicide?” River kept her lips pursed in silence.
“I overestimated your tenacity previously. I never expected you to be someone who crumbles at the slightest setback,” Yuliana said.
River’s tears blurred her vision, but she kept quiet.
Yuliana was infuriated by River’s state. “Are you the only one who feels the pain? Aren’t we all suffering from losing Neil?”
She grabbed River’s bandaged wrist, squeezed it, and asked, “Does it hurt? Will your action yield any results? River, haven’t you thought about seeking revenge? Are you willing to accept that he caused the deaths of Neil and Noah, separated you from your children, and imprisoned you?” River’s eyes were glistening.
Yuliana let go of her wrist. “If you continue to behave like this, don’t call yourself a Xander anymore! You’re a disgrace to our family! This is all that I have to say. Think about what you want to do next!” Yuliana turned and left the room soon afterward.
River could not recover for a long time, with Yuliana’s words lingering in her mind.
River thought, ‘Yes, what the heck am I doing now? I opt for self- destructive behaviors despite being aware of the murderer’s identity. What right do I have to feel heartbroken when I don’t do anything?” River wiped away her tears, and her expression gradually became determined. ‘I won’t tolerate any leniency when it comes to Scott!’ Yuliana received Liora’s call when she walked out of the hospital.
“What’s going on, Lia?” Liora asked anxiously, “Did you get to see Mommy, Aunt Yulia? Is she alright?”
Yuliana felt relieved, “Don’t worry.
She’s going to become stronger.” Liora kept quiet. “Aunt Yulia, can you get me to meet Mommy?” “It won’t be easy. I don’t have the excuse to take you there,” Yuliana replied.
Liora’s eyes welled up with tears.
“Aunt Yulia, I would like to visit Mommy before I leave. Please help me n “”Leave? Where are you going?” Yuliana was stunned.
Liora said, “I’m going to start studying so I can learn to find Uncle Neil and Daddy!” Yuliana wished she could run back to the room and let River hear Liora’s words.
Yuliana thought, ‘If a five-year-old child can say that, what right do you have to commit suicide?”
Yuliana assured, “Understood. Give me some time to figure out how to get both of you to meet.” Liora replied, “Alright, I’ll wait.” Following the end of the call, Tyler and Axel fixed their gaze on Liora.
Axel asked with a frown, “Lia, have you really thought it through?” Liora nodded. “I’ve considered it. I want to contribute and help everyone, too.” Axel was concerned. “There’s no telling how long you’ll be away for your studies. Shouldn’t you give it more thought?” “Nah, Axel. I want to be capable, too.”
Liora sniffed and forced a smile.
“But—”” =; | “No need to say more, Axel!” Axel attempted to speak but was interrupted by Tyler.
Tyler kept his lips tightly pursed and looked away. “Let her go!” Axel was visibly angered and confronted Tyler. “She’s only five, Ty!” Tyler met Axel’s gaze. “She’ll be six soon! Moreover, we’ll both be six years old, too!” Axel said, “Ty, Lia is the youngest…” “All in all, isn’t it our fault for being useless? She wouldn’t need to leave us if we could do something!” Tyler :
clenched his fists tightly.
Axel lowered his gaze in guilt.
Taking a deep breath, Liora asserted, “Axel, I know you’re upset with my decision, but I want to grow on my own. Both of you are working so hard. I don’t want to hide behind you. I also want to protect Mommy… She is all we have…” Liora shed tears once again while speaking.
She did not wish to leave and desired to grow under her mother’s protection.
However, she was saddened that she could not help.