Filed to story: The Billionaire’s Replacement Wife (River & Noah) Novel Online Free
At 1:00 a.m., the bodyguards narrowed the search area to a forest, and Noah came rushing over after hearing the noises.
The bodyguards searched the forest with flashlights and soon found a house.
A bodyguard immediately shouted, “Mr. De Marco! There’s a house here!”
Noah walked in the direction of the voice, and his gaze dimmed visibly when he saw the metal chain used to lock the door. “Smash it!”
The bodyguards broke the metal chain in a few seconds with their tools.
When the door was opened, Noah saw River curling up on the ground right away.
His heart was racing, and he rushed into the house.
“River!” Noah’s voice sounded shaky.
River lay on the ground without moving, and her emaciated face was ghastly pale. She appeared to be on the verge of death.
Noah scooped River up into his arms, his eyes bloodshot.
He roared to the bodyguards harshly, “Get Scott to come quickly!”
River was aware of Noah’s actions and voice, but she didn’t have the strength to open her eyes. She was unusually exhausted from the stressful situation. She fell into a deep sleep after realizing that she was safe.
Two days later.
River woke up to find Noah lying next to her. She saw his well–defined facial features as soon as she opened her eyes.
There were dark circles under his eyes as if he hadn’t slept in days. His eyebrows were still tightly furrowed in his sleep. She wondered whether he looked like that because of her.
River felt warm and fuzzy in her heart.
Then, she looked at the intravenous fluid hanging next to her and a bowl of soup placed on the table. She couldn’t help but feel hungry for the soup, yet she didn’t want to wake Noah.
“You’re awake.” Noah’s hoarse voice sounded.
River was surprised that her small movement had awakened him. Before she could react, Noah propped himself up to check on her.
Sensing his familiar scent, River looked at him. She could see the relief in Noah’s eyes the moment their eyes locked.
River looked away in slight embarrassment and said, “I’m hungry.”
Noah nodded, got up from the bed, and picked up the bowl of soup. He helped River to sit up and then brought the spoon to her lips.
River accepted it and ate soup in small mouthfuls.
After River finished eating, she felt like she had some strength back. She looked at Noah’s messy hair and asked, “How long have you not slept?”
Noah put down the bowl. “Not long.”
River looked down. “Thank you for saving me again.”
“I don’t want your thanks. You can express your gratitude with real actions,” Noah said, his handsome face looking overbearing.
River’s heart was racing. “Let’s talk, Noah.”
Noah leaned back in the chair. “Go ahead.”
River clenched her fists in anxiety under the blanket. She took a deep breath and said, “If, I’m saying if I were to be pregnant with your-”
The door suddenly opened, and Paige rushed into the room, exclaiming, “River! You almost scared me to death!”
Noah’s expression changed. “That’s really bold of her to run into the room without permission!”
River quickly reminded Paige, “Paige, Noah is here.”
Paige’s eyes widened in shock as she turned to look at Noah, who was sitting on the chair elegantly. “Mr. De Marco! I didn’t see you, and I got too emotional when I found River awake. I’m so sorry!”
Noah stood up with a solemn expression. “Both of you talk. I’ll be outside.”
He walked out of the room.
Paige patted her chest in fear. “You scared me to death.”
River was at a loss of whether to cry or laugh. She had finally mustered the courage to tell
Noah the truth, but Paige had interrupted her.
Paige sat down on the chair. “I’m sure of one thing now, River!”
“What is it?” River looked at her in puzzlement.
Paige said, “Mr. De Marco has feelings for you for sure. He didn’t sleep for days because of you. His subordinates had almost searched the whole of Novamere for you! I’ve never seen him being so out of composure! When he found you two days ago, I saw his eyes well up with tears. That nervousness can’t be feigned.”
River felt torn inside, having heard Noah’s desperate roars during her kidnapping.
“Ms. Smith also told me that Mr. De Marco barely ate for three days,” Paige shared, shaking her head.
“You’ve been talking to Ms. Smith a lot, haven’t you?” River asked.
“Yes, she took care of me when you were gone. I learned a lot from her, including the fact that Mr. De Marco threatened Daniella to find you.”
River’s eyes widened. “He wants her to have an abortion?”
Paige nodded. “I wish he would, for the sake of your babies.”
River pursed her lips. “I’ve been thinking about this a lot since I was kidnapped. I want my children to have their father’s protection. I can’t bear the thought of them being in danger again.”
“So you’re going to get back together with Noah?” Paige asked.
“No, I’m going to tell him the truth. I won’t be his mistress, but I will tell him about the pregnancy and my wishes. He can make the decision about everything else,” River replied.
“Are you worried that he’ll make you have an abortion?” Paige asked.
“I’m taking the risk,” River said. “I need to talk to him properly.”
Paige nodded. “I support you.”
Half an hour later, Noah arrived at Xander Residence with his men. He got out of the car and strode toward the villa, his presence commanding.
The bodyguards at the entrance tried to block him, but Noah simply glanced at Julian, who immediately ordered his men to step aside.
The service staff rushed to inform Grayson, who was sitting in the living room.
“Master, Mr. De Marco is demanding to see you.”
Grayson frowned. “Show him in.”
Noah entered the living room and stood before Grayson.
“I came here to demand an explanation,” he said coldly.
Grayson’s expression hardened. “It’s clear why you’re here, Noah. You want to know why I had your woman kidnapped.”
Noah sat down on the sofa. “I’m not going to waste my time with games,” he said. “Give me an explanation for your actions.”
Grayson’s eyes narrowed. “You’re demanding an explanation for a lowly woman? Do you think your father would approve of this behavior?”
“You don’t have to worry about my father,” Noah said. “I’m more interested in knowing why you interfered in my affairs.”
Grayson slammed his fist on the armrest of his chair. “You’re out of control, Noah! How dare you barge into my house and demand an explanation?”
Noah sneered. “Do you have any respect for the De Marcos?”
“Do you have any respect for the Xanders when you’re still involved with another woman after being engaged to Daniella?” Grayson shot back.
Noah smiled. “It seems you’re going to ignore this matter, Master Grayson.”
“Don’t even think about getting me to give a justification for a mistress!” Grayson was livid.
He thought, ‘He must have lost his mind! How dare he say this to me!‘
Noah stood up slowly and looked toward Grayson with his cold, narrowed eyes. “If that is the case, don’t blame me for not respecting our families‘ past relationship.”
“Noah! Do you think that you’re all–powerful in Novamere?” Grayson asked in rage.
Noah said nonchalantly, “I think you’re unaware of the situation due to your age, Master Xander. The Xanders probably won’t have a place in society anymore if not because of Neil.”
Noah walked away upon saying that, leaving Grayson glaring at him, shaking from anger.
After a long time, Grayson recovered from his surprise and grabbed his phone to call Draco.
MK had been attacking the Xander Group for the past three days.
Apart from the stock price plunges, two important projects of theirs were taken by MK.
Neil did nothing when all this was happening, and Grayson was so overwhelmed with anger that he fell sick.
Draco reached out to Noah on several occasions after learning about the situation, but Noah refused to take his call or meet him.
River soon learned about the situation and was astounded by Noah’s behavior.
Even though the Xanders had a firm hold in Novamere, they would suffer significant financial losses due to these incidents.
River found Neil’s lack of action incredible.
Rumors were spreading in the online community.
It was rumored that the Xanders and De Marcos were going hostile against each other.