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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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.

could have helped Kristin, but he

fact… he wanted to see her stripped of her pride.

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

were steep, Kristin kept her head down, not

into shopping, never buying

seemed to be his

handle this one?” he asked in a

up at him briefly, then fell silent.

took a deep

his anger, edged closer.

know how to use a modern smartphone. She

with the

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

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

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

out.

wanted to

a hang of it first?”

Kristin stayed silent.

that… Mr. Bryce!”

a high–end boutique, and the display assistant lit up

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

Chapter 56

the air, taking pride in her three–year stint

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

stay clear–headed that men like him were

was just

assistant, realizing the faux pas, covered her mouth in panic. “Mr.

James said irritably, massaging his

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

country bumpkin. Did Mr. Bryce change

fitting room, overhearing the gossip outside.

and whispered, “What’s

Kristin said nothing.

with grace, like

still silent.

been with Mr. Bryce for three years, and he ditches that haughty princess for a maid?” The chatter outside continued.

care about being looked down on. What mattered

into a white dress the assistant had brought, Kristin emerged from the fitting

watched Kristin for a

be told, she had changed drastically.

quickly

to herself, unfamiliar and frightening.

do.” James nodded.

went to find more clothes for Kristin, asking her

Linda?” Kristin asked,

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she turned out to be James‘ girlfriend, then Kristin would have to

wasn’t going to destroy