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.

twinge of regret clenched

could have helped

wanted to see her stripped of her

her ID and send it to IF, James

Kristin kept her head

never buying stuff unless he had

be his

this one?” he

up at him briefly, then

here!” James took a deep

fearing his anger, edged

know how to

with the world.

she could find, a model

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

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

out.

wanted to

to get a hang of it first?”

Kristin stayed silent.

that… Mr. Bryce!”

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

a little starlet James had kept around in the past,

Chapter 56

prance around with her nose in the air, taking pride in

at Kristin, who looked back,

stay clear–headed that men like him were all the

them, a woman was just a fleeting plaything, nothing

realizing the faux pas, covered her

clothes,” James said irritably, massaging his temples and flipping through a magazine on the

He never brings anyone here willingly, and

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

in the fitting room, overhearing the gossip outside.

“What’s

Kristin said nothing.

confidence. Mr. Bryce likes girls with grace, like those who’ve

paused, still

ditches that

down on. What mattered was

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

Kristin for a

she had changed drastically.

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

a stranger to herself, unfamiliar and frightening.

James

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

Kristin asked, looking

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to be James‘ girlfriend, then Kristin would

going to destroy others‘