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."

cast a glance up and down 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 he picks on kids walking alone. Are you...?" Audrey let the question hang in the air, then grabbed Miles's hand and took a

a good look. Snap a picture if you can. Compare

people who'd been watching in silence now perked up, murmuring among themselves and pulling out their phones to snap photos

man's eyes darted around in panic, fury etched across his face. "Bullshit! Making up lies like that! I'll tear your mouth off!" he

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

stepping up, others followed suit

really losing it. Maybe he is that

"Somebody call the cops!"

him. Then he pointed a shaky finger at Audrey. "You better watch your back!" With that, the man dashed off

turned to Miles, about to speak when she felt him tug free from her

me?" Miles asked,

from Eliza's rejection. He couldn't help but wonder if she had some kind of angle, too. Hearing this, Audrey didn't take offense. A little caution was natural, and she was prepared to reveal the truth about her

could

the other end, Miles' guarded expression dissolved instantly, giving way to panic and confusion. His whole face changed, a mix of fear and

his

Let go of me,"

just heard was enough to make him want to run as

but at this rate, you're