My Stand-In Groom Is A Secret Tycoon by Lydia Pierce

Chapter
42
Driven by sheer curiosity, within just a few minutes, the group of well-off guys was already itching to fly to Riverdale.
[You scare off my wife, and you're on your own.] Alistair's words made them all back off immediately.
Everyone knew how intimidating Alistair could be when crossed. Forget it, they'd rather not test their luck. Curiosity might kill the
cat, but they'd wait for another chance.
Surely, Alistair wouldn't keep his wife hidden in Riverdale forever. Eventually, he'd have to bring her to Willowdale, and they'd see
her then.
Seeing this, Logan chuckled to himself and called Alistair privately. "Dude, is it really necessary to be so protective? They just
want a quick look."
Alistair sighed with mild exasperation. "You wouldn't understand how exhausting it is having a wife who's so impressive and in
such high demand."
Logan shook his head, speechless. He was sure of it now, Alistair had totally fallen head over heels.
Not long after Alistair's Instagram announcement, the news spread to Dominic's parents through their network. They might not
have access to Alistair's Instagram, but word of this kind traveled fast. Handing a cup of tea to Kevin, Zephyra glanced at him
curiously. "What kind of woman could have caught Alistair's eye? She's probably from an influential family, right? Some powerful
alliance?"
Just thinking about it made Zephyra feel bitter. She couldn't help comparing it to Dominic's choice. Every time she thought of the
woman Dominic was seeing, anger bubbled up inside her.
Kevin wasn't particularly invested in the speculation, though his expression grew serious. He said calmly, "I only just heard about
it myself, and I don't know much yet."
Not even the woman's name had reached Kevin yet. After a few moments of silent contemplation, he looked over at Zephyra and

asked, "Where's Dominic? Tell him to come home. I need to speak with him." Zephyra didn't know where Dominic had been
running off to, and he was always disappearing lately.

Then Zephyra muttered under her breath, cursing Audrey as the cause of Dominic's troubles, but hurried to track him down.
Half an hour later, Dominic was escorted home, smelling heavily of alcohol and perfume. Clearly, he'd been dragged out of some
club.
Slumping onto the sofa, Dominic loosened his tie. "What's the urgency?" he muttered, sounding more than a little irritated.
"Is this how you present yourself?" Albert's voice was stern, his gaze disapproving.
"Oh, leave him be," Zephyra defended, feeling protective. "He's had a rough couple of days."
With that, Zephyra poured Dominic a glass of water quickly, her expression softening with concern.
Kevin heaved a deep sigh, shaking his head. "Overindulgent mothers make for unruly sons."
But Zephyra waved him off.
Dominic's face remained drawn. Uninterested in their lecture, he pushed himself up to leave. "If that's all, I'm going to bed.
"Hold it!" Kevin's voice stopped him in his tracks. "Alistair just arrived in Riverdale, and word is he got married. I want you to find
a chance to send him a wedding gift. It would be beneficial to get on good terms with him, and this could boost our standing
here." "I'm not going!" Dominic refused Kevin directly.
Kevin's face twisted in frustration. He shouted, "Do you even know what you're turning down? People would kill for the chance to
connect with
Alistair.
"You spend all your time partying, making friends who wouldn't hold a candle to him. Normally, I let you go your own way, but
this? This isn't optional," Kevin said firmly.
"If you care so much, why don't you go yourself?" Dominic retorted, his mood darker than before.
"Because you already know he wouldn't give you the time of day?" Dominic asked coldly.
Kevin's face went red with anger. He spat, "Watch your mouth! We're family, and he'd respect that." At that time, Dominic's
expression hardened.

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Chapter 42
Although Dominic had never met Alistair, he had heard the name since childhood from his parents.
Meanwhile, as the two of similar age within the large family, it was inevitable that their parents often compared Dominic to
Alistair.
Over time, resentment had brewed against this unseen relative, especially now when Dominic was being forced into a situation
he despised.
With the alcohol still in his system and his frustrations boiling over, Dominic didn't hold back. With a cold, mocking smile, he spat,
"Wake up!
"If he really respects you, he would have invited you to attend his wedding. Obviously, in his eyes, we're nothing. But sure, keep
groveling if that's your style."
Instantly, Kevin's face darkened, and Zephyra did too, but Kevin was angrier. Raising his hand, he looked ready to strike. "You're
such a disgrace! This is your way to speak with your father?"
'As if his bending over backward for this family has somehow wronged him? Kevin thought.
"Honey, don't be upset!" Zephyra interjected, restraining Kevin. She urged Dominic and said, "Apologies
But Dominic only huffed in response.
your
father, now."
Trying to regain his composure, Kevin sneered. "And you have the nerve to bring up your wedding."
Kevin continued, "Thank goodness Alistair didn't come. If he'd seen that spectacle, our entire family's reputation would have
been dragged through the mud in Willowdale, And we'd never show our faces there again." At that, Zephyra dropped her act and
sided with Kevin. "Exactly! Audrey, that bitch! Humiliated all of us!"

Dominic's expression darkened further."
Unaware of his reaction, Zephyra continued, "I knew it was a mistake letting her into this family. Someone like her will never be
respectable."
"Good thing the wedding was called off," Zephyra sniffed. "If she ever expects to set foot in this family again, she'll have to beg
for forgiveness on her knees, or I'll never let it happen!"
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