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.

he could have helped Kristin, but he

wanted to see her stripped

and send it to IF, James called

kept her head down, not daring

wasn’t into shopping, never buying stuff unless he

to be his one exception.

he asked

looking up at him

here!” James took a

fearing his anger, edged closer.

might not know how

the

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

chuckle. He wasn’t typically someone who was prone to laughter, but Kristin had always been an exception to that rule.

me, I’ll teach you.” He picked up a phone,

out.

wanted to pull away.

want to get a hang of

Kristin stayed silent.

that… Mr. Bryce!”

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

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

Chapter 56

nose in the air, taking pride in her three–year stint

glanced at Kristin, who looked back, withdrawing her wrist

to stay clear–headed that men like him

them, a woman was just a

pas, covered her mouth in

clothes,” James said irritably, massaging his temples and

Mr. Bryce brought today? He never brings anyone here

timid like a country bumpkin. Did Mr.

the fitting room, overhearing

“What’s your

Kristin said nothing.

Bryce likes girls with

still silent.

and he ditches that haughty princess for a

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

a white dress the assistant had

watched Kristin for a long

she had changed drastically.

looked at herself in the mirror, she quickly lowered her gaze, not daring to recognize the reflection.

to

do.” James nodded.

more clothes for Kristin, asking her to wait on the side.

Linda?” Kristin asked,

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James‘ girlfriend, then Kristin would have to turn down

wasn’t going to destroy