When the Boss’ Lady Became His Sister-in-law

Chapter 56

James got the picture and leaned back in his seat with a chuckle. “Hop in, don’t make me say it a third time.”

Kristin’s fingers were nearly raw from her nervous picking. She glanced down to make sure her clothes were clean before carefully opening the back door.

“Sit up front,” James gestured.

Kristin pondered for a moment before settling into the front seat.

James didn’t say a word and drove Kristin to the mall.

“Get out,” he instructed as they arrived.

Kristin stayed put. After a long pause, Kristin finally spoke up. “I… I’ll go back.”

“Do you think I’ve had you around for three years to play nanny or maid?” James had to stifle a laugh.

Kristin remained silent.

“Come on, whether or not I go for a paternity test depends on if you can follow directions,” James resorted to a threat, as nothing else seemed to work.

Kristin was stubborn, only responding to this kind of talk.

She got out of the car and followed James inside.

Entering the elevator, Kristin instinctively tucked herself into the farthest corner, eyes fixed on the walls.

The elevator reached the ground floor, crowded with people entering the mall.

James reached out and pulled Kristin in front of him, frowning slightly.

Kristin stood rigid among the crowd with a trace of fear in her demeanor.

Crowds terrified her.

After years in prison, Kristin developed severe psychological issues.

Any person facing great trauma and change would inevitably show some stress response.

Kristin feared enclosed spaces, crowds, and being squeezed among people. Her breathing. became labored, sweat forming on her forehead.

James glanced down at Kristin. He towered over others, but Kristin was nearly swallowed by

the crowd.

“Let’s go.” he said.

Kristin had become much more docile than she was five years ago. She followed James

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obediently like a soulless marionette.

As they walked, James had an epiphany about what had changed in Kristin.

Her eyes once shimmered, bursting with life. Now, they were vacant, hollow. It was as though her spirit had been depleted, leaving only an empty shell behind.

twinge of regret clenched James‘

could have helped Kristin,

to see her stripped

ID and send it to IF, James

were steep, Kristin kept her

wasn’t into shopping, never buying stuff unless he

to be

this one?” he asked in a low

away, looking up at him briefly, then

James took a deep

anger, edged closer.

how to use a modern smartphone. She

the

to the simplest phone she could find, a model typically used

wasn’t typically someone who was prone to laughter, but Kristin had always

I’ll teach you.” He picked up a phone, grabbed Kristin’s wrist, and led

out.

to pull away.

to get a hang of it first?” James asked,

Kristin stayed silent.

that… Mr.

display assistant lit up upon seeing James. “Mr. Bryce, why didn’t Linda

was a little starlet James had kept around in the past, known to everyone in the

Chapter 56

used to prance around with her nose in the air, taking pride in her three–year stint with James.

instinctively glanced at Kristin, who looked

like

was just

pas, covered her mouth in

some clothes,” James said irritably, massaging his temples and

today? He never brings anyone here willingly, and

like a country bumpkin. Did Mr. Bryce change his

changed in the fitting room, overhearing the gossip outside.

“What’s

Kristin said nothing.

likes girls with grace, like those

paused, still silent.

ditches that haughty princess for a maid?” The chatter

down on. What mattered was not interfering with others‘ relationships.

white dress the assistant had brought, Kristin

watched Kristin for a long silence.

she had changed

Kristin looked at herself in the mirror, she quickly lowered her

a stranger to herself,

James nodded.

to find more clothes for Kristin, asking her to wait on the

Kristin asked, looking

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turned out to be James‘ girlfriend, then Kristin would have to turn down his request.

wasn’t going to destroy others‘