My Stand-In Groom Is A Secret Tycoon (Audrey)

Audessa: [Stop calling her that! She's my wife!]

[Haha, look at the top supporter getting jealous!]

[She's everyone's wife, but since you're putting in so much effort to help her with this live battle, we'll make you a "Queen" for now. You can have her one day first, and we'll have her the next!] 'Everyone's wife? I have her one day?' Alistair thought. His face darkened as he typed another response swiftly.

Audessa: [Audie is really my wife. If you keep calling her that, I'll have my lawyer send a cease-and-desist!]

[Top supporter is hilarious-"lawyer warning"!]

[Shut up! Nobody messes with our top fan's wife!]

Clearly, the fans didn't take Alistair's words seriously.

Even Audrey, reading the chat, just laughed it off. 'My sweet husband is working late in his study. He'd never waste thousands on gifts like this,' she thought.

Seeing that they didn't believe him, Alistair didn't press further. Threatening a lawyer was just talk anyway, not something he'd actually pursue.

Frustrated, Alistair decided to drown out the competing comments by flooding the chat with gift after gift. That way, the chat would be full of his support for Audrey, and they'd stop claiming her. With that move, Audrey's battle score surged quickly, putting Eliza behind once again.

Watching Audrey's popularity soar on the screen, Eliza grew restless. Feeling the sting of jealousy, she turned to Fiona and said, "Maybe we should just give up, Mrs. Rhodes. That top supporter has too much money, and we can't keep up." Eliza's voice wavered with emotion, her expression heartbreakingly pitiful.

Hearing this, Fiona felt her heartache. She thought, 'She's my daughter! How can I let her lose over something so trivial? Especially when she's had a lifetime of hardship, thanks to the Rhodes family. This little victory should be hers.' Determined, Fiona opened her app to add more funds, but after she typed in her password, a "low balance" message popped up.

For a moment, Fiona's face froze in embarrassment. She'd never been short of money before, with Audrey always transferring funds for her living expenses on time every month.

Therefore, Fiona had grown so used to spending freely that her private savings had dwindled to the last 700 thousand dollars. And she'd just blown through in mere minutes.

In reality, Fiona had scoffed at people who poured money into online battles, but now? She was stunned by how the funds disappeared quickly, even compared to her own luxurious shopping trips. "Eliza, I'm really sorry, I..." Fiona began, about to confess her empty account.

But Eliza interrupted her preemptively, putting on a brave face. "It's alright, Mrs. Rhodes. I'm used to people looking down on me by now. Let's just let it go; we don't need to spend more."

As soon as Fiona heard this, her heart sank, as if pierced by a dagger. Then she said quickly, "Absolutely not, Eliza. I'm going to make this right for you!"

'I don't have any more money herself, but Audrey certainly does. All I have to do is ask, and Audrey will surely help,' Fiona thought. Filled with resolve, she picked up her phone and dialed Audrey's number. Audrey had been deep in thought about Fiona's recent spending when her phone started ringing. Seeing her mom's name on the screen, she froze for a moment.

Ever since Audrey had moved out, Fiona hadn't once reached out, not a single call or message. It was as though Fiona had forgotten about her entirely.

Now, with the phone lighting up with Fiona's call, a hopeful warmth spread through her as Audrey picked up. "Hi, Mom!"

Fiona's voice on the other end was brisk. "Audrey, can you transfer me some money? Quickly, please."

Audrey's hopeful smile vanished instantly. Fiona had just been throwing money at Eliza's livestream. That much was obvious. It wasn't hard to guess where this new "loan" would go. Clinging to a last shred of hope, Audrey asked carefully, "What do you need it for, Mom?"

"Oh, uh..." Fiona hesitated. She knew Audrey didn't like Eliza, so telling the truth would mean a definite "no."

Unable to come up with a convincing excuse, Fiona said finally, "Don't worry about it. Just send the money over."

Audrey let out a soft, incredulous laugh, and muttered, 'I should have known better. Guess I'm an idiot.'

Hearing Audrey's cold laugh, Fiona frowned. She snapped, "Audrey, I need this urgently!"

Neither Fiona nor Eliza noticed that Audrey's stream had gone dark, with a notification reading. [The streamer has stepped away for a moment.]

Audrey gathered what was left of her composure and said bluntly, "I don't have any money for you."

"What do you mean, you don't have money?" Fiona's voice rose in irritation. "You're a senior manager at the Rhodes Enterprises! Your salary alone is in the millions."

Fiona continued, "And with bonuses, holiday gifts, and perks, where could all that money be going? You live at home; it's not like you have any real expenses."

'She won't be deliberately refusing to use it for me, right? I've raised her for so many years; she can't possibly be ungrateful like that.' Fiona thought.

Audrey replied, her tone icy, "Have you forgotten? For years, I gave every cent I saved to you."

With disappointment piercing her voice, Audrey continued, "Did you think your facials, afternoon teas, gatherings, designer clothes, and all your little indulgences, came for free? "You wanted to keep up appearances as Mrs. Rhodes, but didn't want Mr. Rhodes to think you were overspending. So I covered for you. All!

"Over the years, apart from my fixed salary, I haven't taken a penny from the company. I've given it all to you. What more do you want?"noveldrama

Fiona was speechless. Audrey's words were like a cold slap, her tone distant and unfeeling. Fiona hardly recognized this daughter of hers, who had never spoken this way before.

After a stunned silence, Fiona softened. "Audrey, don't be mad. I know you've spent a lot of money on me. And you're always been my pride and joy. Can you help me out just this once?"

In the end, Fiona still didn't believe that Audrey was really broke.

Audrey's heart had hardened entirely. She said coldly, "I can't. And if you don't believe me, go ahead and check my bank records. I didn't take a penny from the company when I left, and I won't be sending you any more money." Hearing this, Fiona realized that Audrey was serious. She wanted to apologize, but before she could speak, Audrey hung up.

The way Fiona had just treated her left Audrey feeling drained. She thought, "Even though we aren't biological mother and daughter, we've lived together for over twenty years.

'Yet, Fiona always thought that I was the kind of person who embezzled money from the company.'

For a moment, Audrey lost interest in continuing the live battle with Eliza. Returning to her stream briefly, she thanked her fans and logged off.

Seeing the battle end abruptly, Eliza grew angrier. She kicked her desk, seething. "She's so full of herself, ending the battle like that."

Upon seeing Eliza's frustration, Fiona felt any lingering guilt for Audrey evaporate. 'This's all Audrey's fault! If she's just sent the money, Eliza won't have to endure this insult,' she murmured.

Hugging Eliza's shoulders in support, Fiona reassured her. "Don't be upset, honey. It's only a live battle, after all. I've already talked to Albert, and we're going to the city hall tomorrow to make it official."

Instantly, Eliza's eyes sparkled with excitement.

Fiona grinned, thrilled at her response. "Once you're officially added to the Rhodes family records, you'll be our daughter just like Audrey. Whatever she had, you'll have. Everyone will respect you, honey. No silly TikTok girl is worth getting angry over." Hearing this, Eliza felt a rush of warmth and threw her arms around Fiona. Becoming the Rhodes family's daughter meant she'd be worthy of marrying Dominic, and no one would be able to criticize her for it.

But thinking of Dominic's indifference toward her pregnancy, Eliza was frustrated. She thought, 'It's time to make a different move.'