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

11:39

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

years ago, he could have helped Kristin,

to see her stripped

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

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

into shopping, never buying stuff unless he had

Kristin seemed to be his

this one?” he asked in a

away, looking up at him briefly, then fell

James took

fearing his anger,

not know how to use

the

head, then pointed to the simplest phone she

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

you.” He picked up a phone,

out.

to pull away.

of it first?”

Kristin stayed silent.

isn’t that… Mr. Bryce!”

up upon seeing James. “Mr. Bryce, why didn’t Linda come with you?”

a little starlet James had kept around in the past, known to

Chapter 56

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

glanced at Kristin, who

men like him were all

a woman was just

her mouth in panic. “Mr. Bryce, I

his temples and

girl Mr. Bryce brought today? He never brings anyone here willingly, and he even

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

fitting room, overhearing the gossip

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

Kristin said nothing.

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

still

Mr. Bryce for three years, and he ditches that

care about being looked down on. What

had brought, Kristin emerged

for

she had changed drastically.

quickly lowered her gaze,

stranger to herself, unfamiliar and frightening.

do.” James nodded.

for Kristin, asking her

Linda?” Kristin asked, looking up.

3/5

Chapter 56

girlfriend, then Kristin would have to turn down his request.

wasn’t going to destroy others‘