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."

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

turned to the bystanders. "Everyone, take a good look. Snap a picture if

up, murmuring among themselves and pulling out their phones to snap photos

across his face. "Bullshit! Making up lies like that! I'll

do you think you're doing?" One of the men in

person stepping up, others followed suit

he is that guy from

"Somebody call the cops!"

but hearing "call the cops" was enough to spook him. Then he pointed a shaky

Audrey turned to Miles, about to speak when she felt him tug

Miles asked,

would a stranger do something like that for me?' Miles thought, still nursing the sting 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

Audrey could

panic and confusion. His whole face changed, a mix of fear and dread flashing in his eyes. Miles shook Audrey off hastily,

Audrey grabbed his arm and asked, "Wait! What

Let go of

him

still worried. "I don't know where you're headed, but at this rate, you're going to wear yourself out before you