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

ago, he could have helped Kristin, but

see her

it to IF, James called his assistant, leading Kristin into

the phones were steep, Kristin kept her head down, not daring to look.

never buying

seemed to be his

handle this one?” he asked in

at

here!” James took a deep breath.

fearing his anger, edged

the grid, she might not know how to

with the

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

wasn’t typically someone who was prone to

He picked up a phone, grabbed Kristin’s wrist,

out.

wanted to

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

Kristin stayed silent.

that…

into a high–end boutique, and the display assistant lit up upon seeing James. “Mr. Bryce, why didn’t Linda

in the past, known to everyone in the

Chapter 56

used to prance around with her nose in the air, taking pride

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

that men like him were all the

just a fleeting plaything, nothing

pas, covered her mouth in panic. “Mr. Bryce, I

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

brings anyone

like a country bumpkin. Did Mr. Bryce change his taste? He’s

the fitting room,

and whispered, “What’s

Kristin said nothing.

girls with

paused, still

Bryce for three years, and he ditches that haughty princess for a

and didn’t care about being looked down on.

assistant had brought, Kristin

Kristin for

had changed drastically. The sparkle was

mirror, she quickly lowered her gaze, not daring to recognize the

a stranger to herself, unfamiliar and

James nodded.

more clothes for Kristin, asking her to wait on

Linda?” Kristin asked,

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Chapter 56

to be James‘ girlfriend, then Kristin would

to destroy others‘