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

ago, he could have

he wanted to see her stripped

to IF, James called his assistant, leading Kristin

Kristin kept

never buying stuff unless he had to.

seemed to be his one exception.

you handle this one?” he asked in

stood far away, looking up at him briefly, then fell

James took a deep

fearing his anger, edged

years off the grid, she might not know how to use a modern smartphone. She

the world.

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

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

picked up a phone, grabbed

out.

to pull away.

of

Kristin stayed silent.

isn’t that… Mr.

up

had kept around in the past, known to everyone in the circle.

Chapter 56

nose in the air, taking pride in

face and instinctively glanced at Kristin, who looked back, withdrawing her wrist from

like him were all

woman was just a

display assistant, realizing the faux pas, covered her mouth

to try some clothes,” James said irritably, massaging his temples and flipping through a magazine on

the plain girl Mr. Bryce brought today? He never brings anyone here willingly, and

looks so timid like a country bumpkin. Did Mr. Bryce change his

the fitting room, overhearing the

“What’s your

Kristin said nothing.

Bryce likes girls with grace, like those who’ve

paused, still

Mr. Bryce for three years, and he ditches that haughty princess for a maid?” The chatter outside

care about being looked down on. What mattered was not interfering

had brought,

for a long

she had changed drastically. The

the mirror, she quickly lowered her gaze, not

to herself,

James nodded.

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

Kristin asked, looking up.

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be James‘ girlfriend, then Kristin would have to

to destroy others‘