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

Audrey finally shoved her suitcase into the guest bedroom. She tucked it into the corner and was about to hunt down some pajamas for a shower when the phone rang. It was Emily Norris, her assistant.

"Hey, Ms. Rhodes! Happy wedding! I'm not interrupting anything, am I?" Emily's smooth voice came through the receiver, completely sincere since she didn't know about the chaos surrounding Audrey's wedding day. "Nope." Audrey let her gaze drop, sitting down on the edge of the bed. "What's up?" Emily never called at this hour unless it was important.

"Well, here's the thing, Ms. Rhodes. I thought you were tied up with wedding stuff, and I wasn't sure if this got you okay. Did you really agree to give Eliza the Vice Manager position?"

Audrey was taken aback, her mind going blank for a moment. "I had no idea about that."

Emily sounded firm, almost agitated. "Then it must have been Mr. Rhodes' idea. He personally called HR to appoint Eliza as Vice Manager, and he wants to take the resources for the Brightview Group project that you've been working on."

Emily felt a wave of sympathy for Audrey. Eliza didn't have a clue what she was doing and suddenly got such a big role. It was pretty obvious she was trying to push Audrey aside.

Audrey couldn't even describe how disappointed or hurt she felt. Truth was, she had kinda seen this coming. Albert Rhodes, her adoptive father, had always despised her. It was clear he was doing everything he could to pave the way for Eliza with the Brightview Group project.

But Audrey had poured her heart and soul into that project-countless dinners, so much trial and error, and it was finally about to be signed. She wasn't about to be used as a pawn.

thoughts, Audrey replied calmly, "I'll head into the office tomorrow. If anyone reaches out to you for project info, go ahead and give it

tough for Emily. The information could go out, but

*****

of Riverdale, the kind of neighborhood that practically screams

of the river boasted wealth, this area was on another level entirely. The Rhodes family across the water couldn't hold a candle to this elite gathering of the

car in front of a stunning cream-colored manor that screamed elegance, a young guy in a black jacket emerged. He had striking features, his light blonde hair styled

spotted Alistair, a smirk spread across his face. "Hey, look who's back! Mr. Hayes, back from his wedding and playing it poor? What's next? Are you going to tell me you got kicked

the snobs from Dominic's family. Seeing Alistair roll up in a car worth around dozens grand, they probably thought Alistair was a nobody now, just waiting to

Logan's teasing. He wore a relaxed smile, eyebrows

paused, surprised. 'Is Alistair really drowning his sorrows? Had he

drama, Alistair strolled into the manor, effortlessly grabbed a bottle of wine from the cabinet, and pulled out two highball

got something to celebrate. You're not getting too angry, are you?" Logan shot back

Dominic and his family?

don't even bother to acknowledge you? That's just cold. Honestly, if they keep