Julian’s Stand-In Wife

The unmarried couples standing together, appearing as a perfect match.
Not far from Nina, about a hundred meters away, right in front of an upscale bridal store with clear glass windows, she could see
Vans accompanying Lina as the latter tried on wedding gowns.
Vans stood there, seemingly casual, but his gaze was fixated solely on Lina.
From his expression, it seemed like he was smiling, possibly praising Lina’s beauty.
At that moment, Nina couldn’t help but wonder who Vans truly loved deep down.
He had always claimed that his relationship with Lina was just an act, a facade for the Stanley family’s peace of mind and to
ensure his mother’s better treatment within the family.
But... Did he genuinely feel nothing for Lina?
Ignoring Lina’s whimsical nature, she was now, after all, the heiress of the Jennings family.
With her brother’s protection and immense wealth, her demeanor quickly refined overtime. Given recent events surrounding the
Jennings family, Lina had indeed changed significantly.
At least towards Vans, she seemed much gentler than before.
Lina was smiling back at Vans-a shy, affectionate smile, her face radiant with that unique glow of love.
It stung Nina’s eyes and heart, almost causing her tears to flow once again.
Trying to hold back her emotions, Nina tilted her head upwards, hoping to suppress her tears. But just as she did, her eyes met
Lina’s. Her expression instantly soured.
Lina’s expression fell instantly, and she said something to Vans.
Vans quickly descended the stairs. “Nina, why are you here?”
They hadn’t seen each other for almost half a month, and his first words upon seeing her were questioning her presence?
“Yes, I shouldn’t have come,” Nina retorted sarcastically.” Clearly, I’m interrupting your bridal gown fitting session.”

Vans gazed at her earnestly, promising, “Soon, I’ll see you in a wedding gown.
As for Lina and me, you know it’s just a show.”
If he acted otherwise, the Stanley family would suspect his ambitions, putting his mother in a more challenging position.
She yearned for her husband’s affection and care. Over the years, it was this hope that kept her going. Because she felt that her
husband valued her, it gave her the strength to move on from past traumas.
It was a classic case of Stockholm Syndrome. A woman, hurt by a man, might convince herself she’s fallen in love with him to
lessen the pain.
Nina pondered this, thinking that perhaps it wasn’t just Vans’ mother who was in a pitiful situation.
She found herself feeling similarly about Vans, even though he was clearly causing her pain. Yet, when he spoke, making
promises that she knew were unlikely to come true, she couldn’t help but soften and say, “Okay.”
Following Vans upstairs, Nina explained herself to Lina.
“I just happened to be passing by,” she said, looking disheveled in contrast to Lina’s radiant and refined appearance. “I didn’t
intend to disrupt anything. Vans and I have long since broken up. Rest assured, Ms. Jennings, he won’t do anything to hurt you.”
Now, Nina was complicit in Vans’s deception.
She pitied herself, but she also pitied Lina. Feeling a sudden urge to reveal the truth, Nina hesitated, but Lina beat her to it.
“Really?” Lina asked.
Deep down, Lina knew Nina was lying. If Nina truly had nothing to do with Vans, she wouldn’t have willingly come upstairs to
meet her.
However, the Jennings family’s influence had waned significantly due to recent events involving the Hughes family in Jacroaf.
If it weren’t for the pharmaceutical industry being so popular in recent years, and the Jennings family’s business was in
Richburgh, things might have been worse for them.
He mentioned that he could have gone to jail because of the incident with Anna, and the Jennings may fall again.

Enzo had struggled to salvage what he could, and any misstep could lead to their downfall. With this precarious situation in mind,
he cautioned Lina to not act too arrogantly.
Lina remembered Enzo’s words. She had become more covert in her actions and dealings, especially with men