Filed to story: The Billionaire’s Replacement Wife (River & Noah) Novel Online Free
“This might harm your image, Mr. De Marco,” Reuben cautioned,
“Being cheated on?” Noah scoffed “Do you think the focus will be on Daniella or me?”
Reuben replied, “Understood, Mr. De Marco.”
Noah rose and headed to Axel’s room after ending the call. He found Axel engrossed in a book on the bed
Axel closed the book and greeted, “Daddy”
Noah hesitated briefly before sitting in front of Axel. He asked, “Axel, if you had a choice, would you pick River as your mother?”
Axel asked casually, “What are you trying to say. Daddy?”
Noah found himself at a loss for words. How might Axel react if Noah hastily revealed that he wasn’t Daniella’s biological child?
Before Noah could respond, Axel added, “Daddy, I don’t like Mommy, but I like Ty’s Mommy. She’s really nice and cares about me a lot. Unlike Mommy, who hits and scolds me all the time. Honestly, I’ve always wished Daniella wasn’t really my mom. I can’t feel any motherly love from her.”
Noah was taken aback. ‘Can a five–year–old actually express that?”
Yet, he realized it made sense. Axel’s exceptional hacking skills hinted at maturity in other aspects, too. It was a reassuring thought
Standing up. Noah said, “Axel, you can go to her place to play if you want. I’ll pick you up when you’re done. Or, you can stay there if you’d like.”
Axel remembered, “Didn’t you used to say she’s not good, Daddy?”
Noah’s expression turned serious. “Did 1? You shouldn’t lie, my child.”
Axel fell silent
Noah was about to leave Axel’s room when he heard an urgent beeping sound.
Turning back, he saw Axel quickly leaving the bed and sitting in his chair. With a solemn and anxious look, Axel powered up his laptop. His fingers danced over the keys, bringing up code- filled boxes on the screen.
The last box that appeared had “SOS‘ written in it.
Approaching, Noah asked, “What’s happening? Is someone asking for your help?”
Axel’s face went pale. Trembling, he told Noah, “Daddy, can you please save Ty?”
“Tyler? What’s wrong with him?” Noah inquired, his brow furrowing.
Axel said, “Ty and I put a safety app on our phones. If one of us is in danger, we’ll tap the screen with two long and two short taps to send a distress signal. I’m not sure what’s up with Ty. Daddy,
This was the first time Noah heard his son talk so much, and he grasped how serious things were.
Tyler was River’s son, so Noah couldn’t ignore him.
Noah inquired, “Where is he?”
Axel shared the location with Noah’s phone using a GPS tracking app.
Noah dialed Reuben immediately. “Get to the location I just sent. Bring more people and secure
River’s child. Also, dig into the person’s details-”
“Daddy.” It was the first time Axel interrupted Noah. Tll handle finding out about the person.”
Noah smiled at his son’s calm demeanor despite the situation. “Alright”
River got a call from her bodyguard on the way to the factory.
“Ms. Healy! Mr. Tyler and Ms. Liora have been abducted“” the bodyguard urgently said.
River turned pale and hit the brakes. “What did you just say?”
The bodyguard explained, “About 20 minutes after you left, over 30 people appeared! They attacked us and took Mr. Tyler and Ms. Liora forcefully. Ms. Smith got hurt badly and is in the hospital.”
“Where are the kids?” River’s whole body trembled. “Didn’t you follow them?”
“We tried, Ms. Healy, but they shock us off.”
“Call the police, now!” River’s voice shook.
“Yes, ma’am”
Thirty minutes later, River and Neil arrived at the hospital.
River and Neil anxiously waited for three hours in the corridor until Scott emerged from the operation theater. He looked at River, who was visibly frightened and sitting on a bench
“River..”
River raised her head, a bit dazed, and glanced toward the operation theater before asking, ‘ Where’s Ms. Smith?
Scott’s gaze dropped. “Ms. Smith was in shock when she arrived at the hospital. The surgery was successful, but she’s still in critical condition Prepare for the worst.”
River’s lips quivered, and she felt a cold shiver. “What do you mean?”
“She might end up in a coma, Scott said hoarsely.
River suddenly felt lightheaded, and she started leaning to the side involuntarily.
Neil caught her. “River?”
River snapped out of it, tears streaming down her face. Her eyes were full of guilt. “It’s all my fault”
Neil felt a pang in his heart. “It’s not your fault, River.”
River shook her head, sobbing with her hands covering her face. “I was so focused on revenge that
I didn’t prioritize the children and Ms. Smithr
“River, blaming yourself won’t help now. The children haven’t been found yet, so don’t give up.”
Neil said, looking concerned
“It’s been three hours!” River cried, her tears flowing. “The kidnappers haven’t made any demands, and the police have no leads. Ms. Smith is still in danger. What should I do?”
Suddenly, River received a message. She pulled her phone out of her pocket shakily.
The text was from an unknown number. [You have 30 minutes to publicly admit
Daniella Xander. If not, your children won’t survive.]
you framed
After reading the message, River’s eyes turned bloodshot. She tightly gripped her phone, standing upright as she said, “It’s Daniella! She’s the one who took the children! She’s using them
Neil rose and stopped her, his voice calming, “River, take a breath. Remember, Daniella only has my grandfather. There’s no need to panic. I’ll make a call-
“Will that even help?” River cut in, doubtful. If he cared about you, he wouldn’t hurt me. He’s heartless.”
Neil seemed weary, admitting. “I feel helpless, River.”
He contemplated shifting his assets, influence, and connections but now wasn’t the right moment.
“It’s not your fault. It’s my own limitations.” River wiped her tears, turning away.
Her gaze fell on Scott, his face grave. “Scott, please watch over Ms. Smith. I’m going
Scott nodded. “Of course.
River headed for the exit, but Neil stopped her urgently. “Wait, River. There might be someone who can assist.”
Pausing, River inquired, “Who?”
“Noah. However, you might need to reveal the children’s identity first.”
“I’m willing.” River affirmed promptly.
Shielding her children was her top priority.
River dialed a number after getting into the car with Neil. She could still remember Noah’s number by heart after five years.
Noah answered, and River’s voice reached him. It’s me. Noah.”
Noah sat in the apartment, where Tyler and Liora remained bound, their mouths covered with tape.
Noah was surprised to receive a call. He controlled his urge to smile and asked in a deep voice, What’s the matter?”
River pleaded, “Noah, I need your help to save my kids.”
Curious, Noah asked, “What happened to them?”
River recounted the day’s events to Noah “I’ll agree to your terms if you bring my children back safely,” she implored.
Noah’s expression and voice turned serious. “Give me a reason to help them”
River took a deep breath. “Let me tell you what happened when I had the children five years.
ago.”
“Are you negotiating with me, River?” Noah’s tone grew cold
He knew Tyler resembled him greatly, yet River chose to hide the truth at this point.
River responded. “No, Noah. This isn’t the time for that. Please, just consider my plea.”
“Call me when you’ve decided,” Noah promptly ended the call.
Setting down the phone, he looked directly at the children who were glaring at him
Noah signaled to Reuben, indicating for him to remove the tape from the children’s mouths.
Approaching carefully, Reuben gently removed the tape.
Liora burst into tears as soon as the tape was off her face. “I want Mommy! You’re mean! You know we’re here, but you won’t tell Mommy!”
Liora was furious and aggrieved. She wanted to run over and beat up Noah but was tied up.
Noah furrowed his eyebrow.
Reuben immediately sealed Liora’s mouth with tape again after noticing the situation
Liora howled under the tape with her eyes widened.
Noah gazed at Tyler. “If you don’t talk properly either, you can stay like this.”
He couldn’t believe he couldn’t manage the two kids. He thought about how River spoiled them until they turned unforgiving. He wanted to help them out of kindness, yet they accused him of being bad.