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 | 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

cfrom 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 scheap stunt to extort a kid, you're even more pathetic

than | thought."

Then Audrey cast a glance up and down the man, her expression carefully shifting to one of apprehension.

"Actually, | 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 took a step

back.

Raising her voice, Audrey turned to the bystanders. "Everyone, take a good look. Snap a picture if you can.

Compare it with the guy in the news. Better to be safe than sorry."

The people who'd been watching in silence now perked up, murmuring among themselves and pulling out their

phones to snap photos of the man.

The man's eyes darted around in panic, fury etched across his face. "Bullshit! Making up lies like that! I'll tear

your mouth off!" he snarled, lunging toward Audrey.

"Hey, what do you think you're doing?" One of the men in the crowd stepped forward to block him.

With one person stepping up, others followed suit quickly.

"Wow, he's really losing it. Maybe he is that guy from the news."

"Somebody call the cops!"

The man may not have been an actual criminal, but hearing "call the cops" was enough to spook him. Then he

pointed a shaky finger at Audrey. "You better watch your back!" With that, the man dashed off quickly.

With the thug gone, Audrey turned to Miles, about to speak when she felt him tug free from her grip.

"Why'd you help me?" Miles asked, his voice wary.

'Why 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 skind of angle, too. Hearing this, Audrey didn't take offense. A little

caution was natural, and she was prepared to reveal the truth about her connection to him.

But before Audrey could explain, Miles's phone rang.

At the sound of the voice on the other end, Miles' guarded expression dissolved instantly, giving way to panic

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

hastily, turning to run.

Seeing his anxious face, Audrey grabbed his arm and asked, "Wait! What happened?"

"None of your business! Let go of me," Miles snapped.

Whatever Miles had just heard was enough to make him want to run as his life depended on it.

Audrey tightened her hold on him, still worried. "I don't know where you're headed, but at this rate, you're going

to wear yourself out before you even get there."

The street was bustling with traffic,

and Miles looked one step awa fiom

a EWN dashntofestreet

Leetilg im run in that frantic state

seemed like an invitation for disaster.

Miles's eyes were red-rimmed, his face etched with despair. 'What should | do? God, what should | do?’ he

thought.

"Cwith me," Audrey said firmly, guiding him to the curb where she hailed a cab.

Once they were in the car, Miles sat

rigidly, visibly To his band!

adios ot s he gave the

driver the hospital address. The

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Only now did Miles realize how panicked he'd been, almost forgetting that cabs existed.

But even if Miles had remembered, what difference would it make? He'd already burned through whatever

money they had for medical bills.

When Audrey heard "hospital," her expression shifted. "Is someone in your family sick?"

Miles swallowed hard, his knuckles

white as he pressed his fist to his

Afb ne)

mouth, foAcp pacKtears it smy

QV Fm res

morn... She's..." His voice cracked,

and he bit down on his lip, forcing

: : " ' : n

himself to continue. "She's dying.