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 up with an excuse. "She's a

was not afraid to admit she was a Harper, but she was not sure if they wanted her as their

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

Audrey's expression stiffened.

interested in her gossip. 'And the incident had just

to personal matters, Audrey, though feeling a bit awkward,

mean I

walking ahead, suddenly stopped and turned back to look at her seriously. Under the dim streetlights, a gentle breeze tousled his hair, revealing

was tinged with a hint of authenticity in his focused gaze that was hard

you knew that I'd ended things with

raised in pitch, a stark contrast

"Yes," Audrey admitted.

his lips in annoyance and sighed, "Looks like

of hesitation led to several missed years

Audrey just smiled faintly. She understood that Eric's words didn't signify much affection for her but were

no longer had the pure excitement of adolescence for her. Even his eyes showed no trace of emotion,

of person could marry Castle Park's campus belle. Why

to see what remarkable qualities the

say something misleading in front of Alistair, so she casually brushed it off.

her and had to settle for less. "Alright, but you can't refuse me

she had personally asked him for help and couldn't possibly say

initiative to chat with Audrey about some amusing anecdotes from organizing

were always engaging, and

they arrived

Audrey was about