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‘ hands.

ago, he could have

he wanted to see her stripped of her pride.

her ID and send it to IF, James called his assistant, leading

the phones were steep, Kristin kept her head

into shopping, never buying stuff unless he

be his one

he

far away, looking up at him briefly, then fell silent.

James took a

anger, edged closer.

she might not know how to use a modern

the

simplest phone she could find, a model typically used by seniors. “I can use

a chuckle. He wasn’t typically someone who was prone to laughter, but

teach you.” He picked up

out.

wanted to pull

want to get a hang of it

Kristin stayed silent.

that…

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

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

Chapter 56

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

at Kristin, who looked back, withdrawing her wrist from his

men like him were all the same

was just

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

massaging his temples and flipping through a

Mr. Bryce brought today? He never brings anyone here

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

the fitting room,

“What’s your relationship with Mr.

Kristin said nothing.

tall with confidence. Mr. Bryce likes girls with grace, like those who’ve danced since childhood,”

paused, still

with Mr. Bryce for three years, and he ditches that

down on. What mattered was not interfering with

the assistant had brought,

watched Kristin for a long

told, she had changed

mirror, she quickly lowered her

was a stranger to herself, unfamiliar and frightening.

James

went to find more clothes for Kristin, asking

Linda?” Kristin asked,

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James‘ girlfriend, then Kristin would have

going to destroy others‘ love.