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

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

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.

expecting he'd be interested in her gossip. 'And the incident had just happened a few days ago. Hadn't he

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

mean I got

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

hint of authenticity in his focused gaze that was hard to

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

His voice even raised in pitch, a stark contrast to his

"Yes," Audrey admitted.

annoyance and sighed,

several missed years with

She understood that Eric's words didn't signify much affection for her but were more about regret for

pure excitement of adolescence for her. Even his eyes showed

entirely convinced, protesting, "I'm really curious about what kind of person could marry Castle Park's campus

see what remarkable qualities the man

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

and had to settle for less. "Alright, but

with a smile. After all, she had personally asked him for help and couldn't possibly say no

took the initiative to chat with Audrey about

of reminiscing were always

arrived at

the car stopped, Audrey was about to