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.

but she quickly came up with an

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

Dominic, and I didn't believe it at first

Audrey's expression stiffened.

her gossip.

a bit awkward, still

mean I got

had been walking ahead, suddenly stopped and turned back to look at her seriously. Under the dim streetlights,

authenticity in

gave a bright smile. "Eric, you knew that I'd ended things with

voice even raised in

"Yes," Audrey admitted.

sighed, "Looks like I'm always

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

understood that Eric's words didn't signify much affection for her but were

longer had the pure excitement of adolescence for her. Even his eyes

Eric was not entirely convinced, protesting, "I'm really curious about what kind of person could marry Castle Park's

to see what remarkable qualities the man who eloped

in front of Alistair,

for less. "Alright, but you can't refuse me

nodded with a smile. After all, she had personally asked him for help and couldn't possibly

chat with Audrey about some amusing anecdotes from organizing

of reminiscing were always engaging,

they arrived at

car stopped, Audrey was about to unbuckle