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.

twinge of regret

he could have helped Kristin,

see her stripped of her

to IF, James called

Kristin kept her

wasn’t into shopping, never buying stuff unless

to be his

this one?” he asked in

away, looking up at him briefly,

here!” James took a

fearing his anger,

off the grid, she might not know how to

the

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

prone to laughter, but Kristin had always been

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

out.

wanted to pull away.

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

Kristin stayed silent.

that… Mr.

the display assistant lit up upon seeing James. “Mr. Bryce, why didn’t Linda

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

Chapter 56

used to prance around with her nose in the air,

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

that men like

a woman was just a

pas, covered her mouth in

massaging his temples and flipping through a

He never brings anyone here willingly, and

Mr. Bryce change his taste? He’s

in the fitting room, overhearing the

tailor measured her and whispered, “What’s your

Kristin said nothing.

Bryce likes girls with grace, like those

paused, still silent.

Bryce for three years, and he ditches that haughty princess

respond and didn’t care about being looked down on. What mattered was not interfering with others‘ relationships.

assistant had brought, Kristin emerged

for a long silence.

she had changed drastically. The sparkle

quickly lowered her gaze, not daring to recognize the reflection.

was a stranger to

do.” James

clothes for Kristin, asking her to

asked,

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Chapter 56

then Kristin would have to turn down his

going to destroy