My Stand-In Groom Is A Secret Tycoon by Lydia Pierce

After everyone else left, Audrey finally thanked Eric, "Eric, | really owe you a lot for today."

Once students at Castle Park High School in Riverdale, the two of them actually didn't share a particularly deep

bond.

This time, she had no other choice but to message him.

Before Eric could speak, Audrey added with a smile, "If you hadn't arrived in time, the surgery might have faced

unknown risks. Since you've spent so much time, lettreat you to dinner."

Eric's smile deepened at her words.

"Given our relationship, a thank you would be too much, but don't think you can skip the dinner. You didn't show

up for my graduation party back then, but you can't escape this time." As he spoke, he moved closer to Audrey

and put his arm around her shoulder naturally. Back then, he and Audrey were both in the student union and

were quite close because of frequent interactions.

Many people had mistaken them for dating. But at his graduation party, Audrey did not show up.

Years later, Eric didn't want to ask about the reason, but this time, he didn't want to let her go again.

Audrey subtly avoided his hand reaching for her shoulder, and she chuckled along. "What would you like to eat?"

Feeling the emptiness in his hand, Eric paused for a moment before regaining his composure. "To be honest, |

don't have much of an appetite. How about | take you hfirst?"

Audrey was slightly taken aback.

"I can see you're not in the best of spirits, probably too worried earlier. Now that the surgery was successful, you

can take it easy," Eric explained thoughtfully.

Audrey was left in a daze, wondering, 'Was it that obvious? Would the Harpers suspect something?"

Eric pushed up the glasses on his nose bridge, his tone more curious. "May | ask the relationship between you

and the patient today?"

During the surgery, Eric noticed the skeletal similarities between Jessica and Audrey. Recalling the rumors

recently, he couldn't help but speculate about their relationship.

Audrey's expression changed at his question, but she quickly cup with an excuse. "She's a relative."

She was not afraid to admit she was a Harper, but she was not sure if they wanted her as their daughter.

Eric instantly saw through her lie. But he didn't press the issue, instead tactfully changing the subject. "I heard

you ended things with Dominic, and | didn't believe it at first until | saw all this today... Audrey, are you sure he's

water under the bridge?" As things got so bad, he guessed Audrey wouldn't get back to Dominic in the future.

Audrey's expression stiffened.

She thought Eric's world was only about academics and reports, never expecting he'd be interested in her

gossip. 'And the incident had just happened a few days ago. Hadn't he been abroad before that?' she wondered.

When it cto personal matters, Audrey, though feeling a bit awkward, still nodded honestly. "Yes, we've

already parted ways."

"Does that mean | got a shot now?"

Eric, who had been walking ahead, suddenly stopped and turned back to look at her seriously. Under the dim

streetlights, a gentle breeze tousled his hair, revealing his deep, affectionate eyes.

His teasing remark was tinged with a hint of authenticity in his focused gaze that was hard to discern.

Startled for a moment, Audrey then gave a bright smile. "Eric, you knew that I'd ended things with Dominic, but

did you not know I'm already married?"

"You're married?" Eric was instantly stunned. His voice even raised in pitch, a stark contrast to his usual

composure.

"Yes," Audrey admitted.

Eric pursed his lips in annoyance and sighed, "Looks like I'm always a step too late!"

Back then, a moment of hesitation led to several missed years with her in college, and now she had gotten

married.

Seeing his gloomy expression, Audrey just smiled faintly. She understood that Eric's words didn't signify much

affection for her but were more about regret for unrequited yearning in youth.

He no longer had the pure excitement of adolescence for her. Even his eyes showed no trace of emotion,

something she could still sense.

But Eric was not entirely convinced, protesting, "I'm really curious about what kind of person could marry Castle

Park's campus belle. Why not introduce him totoday?"

He wanted to see what remarkable qualities the man who eloped with Audrey possessed.

Audrey hesitated. She was afraid Eric might say something misleading in front of Alistair, so she casually

brushed it off. "There will be opportunities later."

Eric couldn't force her and had to settle for less. "Alright, but you can't refusefrom driving you home."

Audrey nodded with a smile. After all, she had personally asked him for help and couldn't possibly say no all the

time.

In the car, Eric took the initiative to chat with Audrey about samusing anecdotes from organizing activities

together in high school.

Topics of reminiscing were always engaging, and Audrey laughed frequently.

Before long, they arrived at her apartment building.

As the car stopped, Audrey was about to unbuckle her seatbelt.

At that moment, Eric suddenly leaned in. The faint scent of disinfectant attacked her nose.

Before Audrey could react, she saw Alistair standing under a parasol tree outside the window and staring at her

through the transparent car window...

The moment she saw him, Audrey suddenly remembered the suggestive scene when he had buckled her

seatbelt last time.

Overwhelmed by a rush of emotions,

she abruptly pushed away Eric, who

was leaning in, quicKyhbtickled her

sEatBelh ui dashed out of the car.

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As Audrey fled from the car, Eric's outstretched hand froze in mid-air. He quickly steadied his expression and

smiled. "You're welcome."

It seemed that Audrey wouldn't give him any chance to get close... But then again, if she were the flirtatious

type, he wouldn't have been pining for her all these years.

Audrey was afraid Eric might pull another stunt. She quickly said, "You've had a tough day today. Go back and

have a good rest. Let's have a meal together another day."

Eric had originally planned to take the

chance to go upstairs for a cup of

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He felt a bit disappointed. However, being always modest and polite, he wouldn't make things difficult for others.

After exchanging a few polite words, he drove off.

Only after his white Mercedes disappeared in the distance did Audrey relax. Turning around, she saw Alistair

standing under the dim streetlight again.

He was dressed in casual hclothes, his hands casually in his pockets, looking at her from across the street.

Audrey suddenly felt a bit guilty. She reached up to touch her nose and slowly walked over.

Alistair's gaze followed her intently while he remained silent.

The atmosphere grew subtly tense.

The car window was tinted, and

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Audrey wasn't sure if he had seen

her. She wanted 10 QXRRINDE? m

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chapter there!