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

The next second, the guy felt his fist caught mid-air. Someone had grabbed hold with surprising force, twisting his arm skillfully and shoving him backward.

It was Audrey. She flung the man aside, turning to give Miles a quick once-over, her gaze filled with concern. "Are you alright?" she asked.

Miles, clutching his shoulder where it had nearly been dislocated, looked back at her with a wary expression.

When the man saw that his opponent was just a woman, his eyes flickered with disdain.

Then he tossed his cigarette, tilting his head to glare down at Audrey with a sneer. "Little girl, he stole my phone, then had the nerve to shove me. I'm well within my rights to settle this with him. You better mind your business, or you'll be sorry!" Audrey stared back at him coldly, positioning herself firmly between Miles and the man. "You say he stole your phone, but shouldn't you have proof?" she retorted.

The man's scowl deepened, and his eyes narrowed menacingly. "He was standing right next to me, and I say he's the thief. You're defending him, so maybe you're his accomplice, huh?"

Hearing this, Audrey snorted and said coldly, "He just walked out of that office building over there, while you came from the alley behind us.

"He never even touched you. What, do you think he's got magic powers that let him pickpocket from a distance?"

Audrey's sharp logic left the man momentarily speechless, his eyes burning with hostility as he glared at her.

Unfazed, Audrey pressed on. "If you're trying to pull some cheap stunt to extort a kid, you're even more pathetic than I thought."

the man, her expression carefully shifting to one of apprehension. "Actually, I just read a news report about a criminal targeting teens in this area. They say

to the bystanders. "Everyone, take a good look. Snap a picture if you can. Compare it with the guy in the news.

in silence now perked up, murmuring among themselves and pulling

around in panic, fury etched across his face. "Bullshit! Making up lies like that! I'll tear your

you're doing?" One of the men in the crowd stepped forward to block

up,

he's really losing it. Maybe he is that

"Somebody call the cops!"

to spook him. Then he pointed a shaky finger at Audrey. "You better watch

turned to Miles, about to speak when she felt

help me?" Miles asked, his

she had some kind of angle, too. Hearing this, Audrey didn't take offense. A little caution was natural, and she was

before Audrey could

to panic and confusion. His whole face changed, a mix of fear

his

your business! Let go of me," Miles

was enough to make him want to run as

"I don't know where you're headed, but at this rate, you're