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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Chapter 56

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.

regret clenched James‘

years ago, he could have helped Kristin, but he

see her stripped

and send it to IF, James called his assistant, leading Kristin into a

phones were steep, Kristin kept her head

into shopping, never buying stuff unless he had

be his one

handle this one?” he asked in

away, looking up at

here!” James took a deep

anger, edged

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

with the

shaking her head, then pointed to the simplest phone she could find, a model typically used by seniors. “I can

let out a chuckle. He wasn’t typically someone who was prone to

you.” He picked up a phone, grabbed Kristin’s wrist,

out.

wanted to pull away.

a hang of it first?”

Kristin stayed silent.

isn’t that… Mr. Bryce!”

the display assistant lit up upon seeing James.

kept around in the past, known to everyone in the

Chapter 56

with her nose in the air,

instinctively glanced at Kristin, who looked back, withdrawing her wrist

like him were all

was just

realizing the faux pas, covered her mouth in panic. “Mr. Bryce, I didn’t

clothes,” James said irritably, massaging his temples and flipping through

Bryce brought today? He never brings anyone here willingly,

girl looks so timid like a country bumpkin. Did Mr. Bryce change his taste? He’s

fitting room, overhearing the gossip outside.

her and whispered, “What’s your relationship with Mr.

Kristin said nothing.

girls with grace, like those who’ve danced

paused, still

Bryce for three years, and he ditches that

care about being looked down on. What mattered

the assistant had brought, Kristin emerged from

Kristin for a

changed drastically. The

quickly lowered her gaze, not

was a stranger to herself,

do.” James

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

Linda?” Kristin asked,

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Chapter 56

James‘ girlfriend, then Kristin

going to destroy others‘