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

After everyone else left, Audrey finally thanked Eric, "Eric, I 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, let me treat 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, I don't have much of an appetite. How about I take you home first?"

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 I 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.

at his question, but she quickly came

Harper, but she was

saw through her lie. But he didn't press the issue, instead tactfully changing the subject. "I heard you ended things with Dominic, and I didn't believe it at first until I 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

Audrey's expression stiffened.

reports, never expecting he'd be interested in her gossip. 'And the incident had

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

I got

stopped and turned back to look at her seriously. Under the dim streetlights, a

a hint of authenticity

then gave a bright smile. "Eric, you knew that I'd ended things with Dominic, but did you not know I'm

was instantly stunned. His voice even raised in pitch, a stark contrast to his

"Yes," Audrey admitted.

lips in annoyance and sighed, "Looks like I'm

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

words didn't signify much affection for her but were more about

of adolescence for her. Even his

was not entirely convinced, protesting, "I'm really curious about what kind of

wanted to see what remarkable qualities the man

something misleading in front of Alistair,

to settle for less.

asked him for

took the initiative to chat with Audrey about some amusing anecdotes from organizing

always engaging, and

long, they arrived at her

car stopped, Audrey was about to