Filed to story: The Billionaire’s Replacement Wife (River & Noah) Novel Online Free
“If the Millers support Scott, won’t stand idly by!” Alex exclaimed, his anger evident.
Lucas sighed. “This is not for you to intervene.” “What do you mean?” Alex asked.
“How do you plan on intervening?” Lucas questioned.
“If they join forces with Scott, I’ll ruin the Millers’ reputation! Don’t forget, I haven’t exposed Azure’s dirty tactics to the media yet,” Alex declared.
“The Millers won’t be affected by that.” “Why not? Azure is a Miller!” Alex said anxiously. 4
“”Have you forgotten that Azure claimed to cut ties with the Millers before she was detained? Evert if you leak the story, do you think it’s enough to impact the Millers?” Lucas explained.
“How is Scott going to strengthen his position using the Millers?” Alex asked.
Lucas’ expression turned solemn. “Do you understand what it means to look at the big picture?” “”So you’re saying that some people will still show respect to Scott out of consideration for the Millers’ reputation, even if the Millers cut ties with Azure?” Alex clarified.
Lucas nodded. “Yes! After all, Azure is their favorite child! Blood is thicker than water! They understand that Scott will treat Azure well if they treat Scott well.” At that point, Lucas and Alex exchanged a sudden glance.
“Scott is trying to form a marriage alliance!” they exclaimed simultaneously.
Lucas shuddered. “In the worst-case | scenario, Azure might use Scott to make a move against you, Alex!” Alex fumed. “How dare she pick a fight with me first when I haven’t even confronted her yet?” “Why not? You were so merciless to Azure. Won’t she harbor resentment for you?” Lucas pointed out.
Alex felt suffocated.
“You may choose to tell Paige or not, but consider how you’re going to deal with Azure first. After all, your family will be the first to suffer if she works with Scott to strengthen his position,” Lucas admonished.
“How the hell does this have to do with my family? Did my parents not treat Azure well?” Alex said in exasperation.
Lucas rolled her eyes. “If Azure decides to go against you, won’t your parents support you?” Alex affirmed, “They will, of course!” Lucas sighed. “That’s it! Azure might retaliate and take out everyone in revenge once your parents intervene.” | | “Fuck! All I can do now is pray that Azure won’t be too merciless?” Alex punched the door in a rage.
“Not exactly. If Paige were to get involved in this, it might be different,” Lucas explained after a brief consideration.
Alex retorted, “Iwon’t push my woman into the crossfire!” “No, there might be a way to protect Paige if you take another approach,” Lucas suggested.
“If Paige exposes what Azure did to her via a trending post, then Azure will be scrutinized by the public as soon as she gets released. Paige can also apply for a protection order out of fear that Azure might harm her,” Lucas elaborated.
Alex considered it seriously. Then, he said, “Even if Scott has connections with the police and the Millers, he won’t dare to act rashly out of consideration for public opinion. On the contrary, Paige will receive public support if she wants to deal with Azure, as long as it’s within legal bounds.” “That’s the idea! However, Paige might feel wronged,” Lucas pointed out.
Alex scratched his head in agitation.
“Yes, everyone will know about Paige’s AIDS in this scenario!” Lucas concluded, “The path to revenge is never easy.”
Alex nodded and said, “Understood, I’ll talk to Paige.” “Hmm.” After returning to the apartment, Alex pondered the situation for a while before texting Paige.
Alex: [Are you busy?] Paige: [Not really. How can I help?] Alex: [Azure is going to be released soon. Scott facilitated it.] Paige was shocked upon reading the text. Overwhelmed with emotions, she found it challenging to continue texting and decided to call Alex.
Alex answered promptly, and Paige asked, “How do you know about this?” “River told me. How do you feel about this matter, Paige?” Alex replied.
“If Scott really is going to get Azure released, I won’t let them off!” Paige clenched her phone tightly.
Alex remained silent before sharing details of his conversation with Lucas.
“I can offer you my support, but I’m afraid I can’t fully protect you, Paige.
Public opinion seems to be the only thing that can safeguard you now,” Alex explained.
“I’ll do the expose then! I’m not afraid of how others perceive me anymore at this point! I want Azure to pay… Scott, as well!” Paige asserted.
Alex remarked, “Do you think I’m useless for not being able to help you resolve this?” “No. You got Azure arrested. I know that you did your best. Moreover, it was my fault for not being cautious enough,” Paige admitted.
Taking a deep breath, Alex added, “You should know that if Scott and Azure form a marriage alliance, Scott will definitely get involved when you deal with Azure.” “Is he going to kill me? If trouble comes my way, he’s not going to establish a firm foothold in Novamere!” Paige exclaimed.
Alex asked, “So you’re planning to return, right?” Paige replied, “I’ll be back, but not now. I need to carefully plan my revenge against Azure and wait for the right opportunity to execute it. Some things, especially revenge, can’t be rushed.” Alex was concerned. “Paige, we can’t break the law.” “Twon’t risk my life for Azure,” Paige assured.
Alex was relieved. “Alright then, I’ll wait for your return.” After a moment of silence, Paige asked, “Alex, do you still think about reconciling with me?” Recalling his father’s advice, Alex answered, “Paige, I won’t force you to come back, but I’ll wait. If you choose to return, I’ll be here.” Paige pursed her lips. “If you find someone you love, forget about me.” “I can’t do that! Let’s not discuss this further. It’s pointless,” Alex stated.
Paige noticed Alex’s determination and didn’t comment further.
“Please help me keep an eye on Azure,” she requested.
“Alright.” The next day.
After waking up, River went downstairs. Planning to borrow a phone from a bodyguard, she encountered Elvira conversing with a middle-aged woman at the door.
Turning to the commotion, they 1 looked at River.
Elvira approached River with the woman and introduced her. “This is the caregiver, Ms. Malon.” River observed Marie Malon’s sharp and sarcastic expression.
Marie greeted with a smile, “Hello, Ms.
Healy. I’ll handle your diet and daily needs.” River nodded, then coldly asked Elvira, “Where’s my phone?” “Just tell me what you want to do,” Elvira replied.
“I want to visit Kenny,” River stated.
Elvira said, “I’ll need to get Mi Hendrix’s permission.” After calling Scott, Elvira returned.
“Mr. Hendrix mentioned that Kenny’s body has been shipped abroad to his mother.”
River was stunned. ‘Yes, Kenny is not a Cheasian. Why would he be buried here?’ Feeling dejected about not being able to visit Kenny’s grave, River requested, “Please help me prepare some flowers.” Elvira frowned, confused by the flower request.
Marie understood the situation and explained, “In our Cheasian culture, we offer flowers for the deceased.” “This is really pointless!” Elvira complained in Spanish.
Although River didn’t understand Spanish, she could hear the contempt in Elvira’s tone, River added, “There’s something else.” “Can’t you just say everything all at once?” Elvira impatiently asked.
River requested, “Tell Scott that I’m returning to my company. Please return my phone to me.” Elvira stared at River for a moment before leaving to talk to Scott.
While Elvira was calling Scott, the sound of a car engine was heard from the yard.
Elvira ended the call upon seeing Scott’s car and headed outside. They entered the villa together soon.
River sat on the sofa, waiting.
Scott walked over and sat beside River, gently asking, “Do you want to return to work so soon when your body has yet to fully recover?” River stared at the pitch-black television without turning to look at Scott. “Yes.” Scott suggested, “It’s not too late to go back to work after a few days of rest.” River coldly asked, “The company’s VP is dead, and I haven’t shown up for along time. Are you going to take | responsibility if anything comes up?” Staring at River’s cold face Scott said, “I can connect you with a better partne—” “I don’t want that! Please do not interfere with my company matters!” River interrupted sternly.
“If you insist on going back, I won’t stop you. However, you must recuperate for two more days, and Elvira will accompany you.” River thought, ‘Elvira again!’ River exclaimed angrily, “How long will you keep watching me? Noah and my brother are both gone! Now that everything is under your control, is there any space left for me to cause trouble?” “I need to consider your safety. I’ve just taken on this role, and many might see me as a threat. They might make things difficult for you if they can’t target me.” River sneered. “If you’re concerned about me getting involved, then stay away!”
Scott deflected the conversation, saying, “You have two options, River.
Stay in the villa, or have Elvira accompany you.” River took two breaths and realized she couldn’t stay in the villa. Going outside with Elvira was better than isolation.
Forcing herself to accept it, she said, “Since you won’t let me return to work tomorrow, give me back my phone. I need it to manage my employees’ emotions and handle work negotiations!” Scott agreed and told Elvira, “Return the phone.” Elvira handed the phone to River, who rushed upstairs.
Elvira informed, “I’ve installed the virus, Mr. Hendrix. Her text messages and conversations will be shared with you in real-time.” hs Scott nodded, instructing her to take care of River and ensure three meals a day.
Back in River’s room.
River checked numerous unread messages, most from Josie and her work group chat.
Opening Josie’s messages, she found one from yesterday.
Josie: [Are you alright, Ms. Healy? Have you regained consciousness? Everyone is very concerned about your health.
Josie: [Don’t worry about the company.
We’re proceeding according to the plan. We’ll wait for you to personally review the quarterly report when you’re back.] Josie: [We’re very sorry for Mr. Hayes’ passing.] Josie sent a photo, and River tapped on it. It showed all the employees placing white lilies at Kenny’s office.
River’s eyes welled up with tears upon seeing the photo. Her tears dropped on the phone screen. She wiped them away and replied to Josie.
River: [Thank you all for waiting patiently. I’ll be back in a few days. ] She sent the same text message to the work chat group.
The employees boiled over with excitement right away.
Employee A: [Are you feeling better, Ms. Healy? We were almost scared to death when we saw the trending post!] Employee B: [We’re really glad that you’re back safely, Ms. Healy!] Employee C: [Sales hit a new high this month, Ms. Healy! We’re waiting for you to come back and celebrate together!) River felt warm and fuzzy in her heart upon reading their caring words.
There was no mention of her pain points as if it had been agreed upon. | River closed the work group chat and continued to scroll down. She found Paige’s numerous text messages, all sent a few days ago.
Paige had been messaging her every few hours to check on her mood and health.
River wanted to reply to Paige right away but knew her phone was surely bugged. She chose not to reply immediately out of caution.
She continued to scroll down and saw the words that made her heart bleed: ‘Noah De Marco’.
Holding her breath, she tapped on |
Noah’s text messages.
There weren’t many, but his few messages contained all the emotions and guilt toward her.
Noah: [River, I’m very sorry about the engagement party. I promise I’ll make it up to you when I return.) Noah: [River, I understand that your anger and disappointment will take some time to fade away. Please reply to me when you’re in a better mood. ] Noah: [Neil mentioned that you’re not feeling well. Don’t hurt yourself, and call me back when you see this!] The three messages were enough to make River break down in tears, which blurred her vision and landed on their chat interface.
She had never been angry at him and sulked because of this matter. She could imagine how anxious Noah must have been when he could not reach her.
He had been troubled by the pressing issues at the company but had also been waiting for her reply. The anxiety that had arisen because of her was something she could no longer soothe.
Five days later, in some unknown country.
A man was lying in an elegantly decorated room. His face was ghastly pale, with a three-centimeter-long wound on his left forehead. He had a thick cast on his left arm, and his chest was bound in bandages.
The heart rate monitor next to him showed that his heart was pumping at anormal rate.
Meanwhile, someone opened the door. { The man furrowed his brow subconsciously when he heard the commotion. He was preparing to look at the newcomer when he heard an unknown woman’s loud gasp.
“Oh my god! Dr. Ryder, he’s awake!” A white Rolls-Royce stopped at the entrance of TYC.
A bodyguard got out of the car and opened the door.
Wearing a white dress under her khaki windbreaker, River got out of the car.
Elvira got out from the other side and walked over to River. ) River ignored Elvira and looked up at the company’s signboard. After a while, she walked into the company.
The receptionists approached River in excitement as soon as they saw her.
“You’re finally back, Ms. Healy!” greeted the female receptionist as River returned.
River replied with a smile, “Yeah, I’m back.” Happily, the receptionist held a card and walked toward the elevator with River.
While waiting for the elevator, she looked at River and asked, “Are you feeling better, Ms. Healy?” “Thank you for your concern. I’m pretty much recovered.” River smiled elegantly.
“That’s good.” The elevator door opened, and the receptionist said, “Please go in, Ms.
Healy.” River nodded, entered the elevator | with Elvira, and pressed a button.
Josie rushed toward the elevator doors upstairs upon learning of River’s return.
] Nervously, she smoothed her clothes and watched the elevator ascend.
She took a deep breath and greeted, “Ms. Healy, welcome back…” Stupefied, Josie looked at the woman standing behind River.
River exited the elevator, smiling at Josie. “Didn’t I tell you not to come and receive me yesterday?” Josie averted her gaze and walked alongside River. “I couldn’t help Wy T’YBUNUS myself. It’s been a really long time since I last met you, Ms. Healy.” “Did you inform everyone that we’re | going to have a staff meeting later?” River asked.