😊Hi Mitch, clever title!!! :)))
While it is true there are speed readers among us, the algorithm also checks for engagement via highlights, claps and the coveted comment.
You are right about read time and adding superfluous content at the end.
From an SEO perspective, if your story states 4 minutes, keeping your reader there for the full 4 minutes also factors into the algorithm. People cutting out much earlier affects the page rank:(
Add photos and graphics to slow down a reader and remove any info or shorten to improve your read time score. It all matters collectively :))