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.

of regret clenched James‘

years ago, he could have helped Kristin,

see her stripped of

her a SIM card with her ID and send it to IF, James called his assistant, leading Kristin

were steep, Kristin kept

never buying stuff unless he had

to be his

this one?” he asked in a low voice.

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

here!” James took a deep breath.

his anger,

the grid, she might not know how to use a modern smartphone. She was out of

the world.

simplest phone she could find, a model typically used

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

up a phone, grabbed Kristin’s wrist,

out.

to

to get a hang of it first?”

Kristin stayed silent.

isn’t that… Mr. Bryce!”

Kristin into a high–end boutique, and the display assistant lit up upon seeing

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

Chapter 56

the

glanced at Kristin, who looked back, withdrawing

like him were all the same without exceptions.

them, a woman was just a

realizing the faux pas, covered her mouth in

to try some clothes,” James said irritably, massaging his temples and flipping through a

Bryce brought today? He never brings anyone here willingly, and

looks so timid like a country bumpkin. Did Mr. Bryce change

fitting room, overhearing the

whispered, “What’s your relationship

Kristin said nothing.

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

still

years, and he ditches that

down on. What mattered was not interfering

into a white dress the assistant had brought,

Kristin for a long silence.

be told, she had changed drastically. The sparkle was

Kristin looked at herself in the mirror, she quickly lowered her

stranger to herself,

do.” James

Kristin, asking her to wait on the side.

Linda?” Kristin asked, looking up.

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then Kristin would have to turn

wasn’t going to