A SUBSTITUTE BRIDE

With that, she left. She didn’t want to waste any more time on Collin.

He was standing there alone, looking dejected. Thinking about Lyana’s words earlier, her mind became more and more confused.

– Brother Collin.

Seeing that he was alone, Ines approached.

– Shouldn’t we leave too?

Collin heard Ines’ voice and turned to her. His eyes met Ines’ innocent face. Immediately, he remembered Lyana’s words. He frowned and coughed.

– Okay.

Lyana must be lying to him. Ines was clearly so innocent and adorable. How could she be someone like that?

Collin looked up at Ines and hesitated.

– Did you know that your sister…

Ines shook her head, looking confused.

– Brother Collin, Sister did not grow up in the Dubois family when she was young. She didn’t come to the Dubois family until after she started college. She doesn’t come home often either, so…

At this, Ines’ brow furrowed deeper and deeper. She sighed and continued,

– Although I didn’t grow up with her, I’m still her blood-related sister, but she…

As she spoke, she looked more and more aggrieved and her eyes had turned red. Her voice was choked with emotion.

Collin immediately understood.

Lyana had never said anything.

Although Ines had said in front of him that Lyana loved him, she must have heard rumors from other students. That could be the only reason Ines would tell him these things.

He thought he knew her very well, but even now, he still didn’t know what kind of person Lyana was.

Collin’s gaze fell on Ines’ face. He had been with her for years and he knew her better than anyone else.

She must have mentioned Lyana because she had always felt that being with him betrayed Lyana.

Looking at the dejected Ines, Collin pulled her into his embrace and comforted her gently.

– It’ll be okay.

Ines was such a good person. In all this time, she had never spoken ill of Lyana in front of him.

– Did your sister really kill…

Collin didn’t finish his sentence.

Ines looked confused, as if she had just remembered something. She glanced around and said:

– Brother Collin, let’s not worry about the past. Sister is the principal now, so don’t bring up the past.

Collin looked at Ines’ anxious expression and understood instantly.

There was a fine line between genius and madness.

Maybe Lyana was a mad genius. She was smart and capable, but she wouldn’t know if she had done something wrong.

Collin looked at the sweet, charming Ines before him and looked down.

Ines was the best.

He should never have believed the words of a madman.

Collin pulled Ines into his embrace again, giving a soft whisper of assent.

– Brother Collin, you are the best.

Ines leaned into Collin’s embrace and breathed a sigh of relief.

She didn’t understand. How could Lyana, this wild girl who had returned from the country, be better than her?

She had to knock Lyana off her perch so everyone could see Lyana’s true colors.

Collin and Ines walked out side by side. Soon after, they saw Albert walking towards them.

Albert approached Collin and said calmly,

– Student Collin Perrot, the school has selected your doctoral thesis to represent An University in a competition. Come with me and we will discuss your thesis.

The gloom in Collin’s eyes disappeared in an instant. He felt that he would be able to boast for the school with his hard work.

– Congratulations, Brother Collin.Text property © Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org.

Ines looked at Collin happily, then at Albert. After some hesitation, she asked,

– Principal, may I come with you two?

Albert didn’t even bother to give Ines a glance as he said,

– Are you sure you can understand?

Ines’ face burned with embarrassment.

In the past, whenever Collin worked on projects with her mentor, she often followed suit as well. She really didn’t expect to be rejected this time. Her composure was shaken.

Albert’s gaze lingered on Collin’s face as he spoke coldly.

– Take care of your personal business. When you are done, come to the deputy director’s office to look for me.

With that, Albert left without looking back.

Collin’s face paled. This was the first time he had been reprimanded by Principal Albert, and his expression immediately darkened.

He turned to look at Ines, his eyes clouded with irritation. Ines was too clingy. That must be why she had grown too big for her panties.

Ines could tell that Collin was displeased and his little face paled with fear. Her tears began to fall uncontrollably.

– Brother Collin.

Ines lowered her head and sniffed.

– I’m sorry I caused you trouble!

Ines’ words managed to suppress Collin’s anger.

– Did someone say something to Principal Albert? Do we have to get their approval just to graduate? “m

Ines looked up at Collin with tears swirling in her eyes, looking completely pitiful.

He looked at her pitifully and remembered what she had said. He also remembered how Director Albert had treated him earlier. With these thoughts in mind, he formed a theory.

Lyana must have said something bad about him in front of Principal Albert. That was why Principal Albert had treated him so coldly.

Collin clenched his fists in rage. Gritting his teeth, he growled.

That must be Lyana Dubois.

– It can’t be a sister!

Ines shook her head. More and more tears fell and her voice was choked with emotion.

– Although Sister wants to be with you, she certainly won’t do anything to hurt you.

Collin snorted coldly when he heard Ines’ words.

He was now completely certain that Lyana was playing hard to get.

She must have seen that he hadn’t taken the initiative to pursue her. She must have set up a trap so that he would be forced to chase her.

Only if he loved Lyana would she allow him to graduate without a hitch!

She was truly despicable!

To possess him, she was unscrupulous.

– Ines, don’t cry.

Collin carefully wiped away her tears and said gently,

– I will certainly protect you. I will not let you suffer grievances.

– Brother Collin, you are the best,

Ines said, her eyes narrowed.

Collin leaned over and gently kissed Ines’ forehead, then straightened up.

– Okay, you can go first. I’m going to the director’s office.

– I’ll go to the principal’s office.

Ines nodded obediently.

Collin looked at Ines’ mannerisms and liked her even more. Surely there could be no one who didn’t like such a sweet and obedient girl!

After Collin left, Ines silently wiped away her tears. As she looked coldly at his retreating back, a smug smile appeared on her face.

Tonight, she would know who the owner of the jade pendant was. If that person had a higher status than Collin, and he was the guy she liked, she could openly tear him away from Lyana.

At that thought, she breathed a sigh of relief. There would come a time when she would win against Lyana.

Holding her bag, she walked elegantly out of the school in her four-inch high heels.

Ines went straight to the Sanchez family villa.

She parked her car at the entrance of the villa. As she looked at the majestic, imposing doors of the grand entrance, the idea that she would soon meet the person from five years ago struck her. Her heart began to beat faster and faster.

Ines had just made her way to the door when the butler greeted her.