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.

of regret clenched

could have

wanted to see her stripped of her pride.

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

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

never buying stuff

be

this one?” he asked in a

looking up at him briefly, then

took a

his anger, edged

not know how to use

with the world.

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

was prone to laughter, but Kristin had

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

out.

to

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

Kristin stayed silent.

that…

assistant lit up upon seeing James.

was a little starlet James had kept around in the

Chapter 56

used to prance around with her nose in the air,

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

clear–headed that men like him were all

them, a woman was just

her mouth

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

brought today? He never brings anyone here willingly,

Did Mr. Bryce change his taste? He’s over those proud

the fitting room, overhearing

her and whispered, “What’s your relationship

Kristin said nothing.

stand tall with confidence. Mr. Bryce likes girls with grace,

still

he ditches that haughty princess for a maid?” The

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

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

Kristin for

told, she had changed

in the mirror, she quickly lowered

stranger to herself, unfamiliar

James nodded.

clothes for Kristin,

Linda?” Kristin asked,

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Chapter 56

then Kristin would have to turn down his request.

to destroy others‘

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