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.

of regret

he could have helped

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

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

steep, Kristin kept her head down,

never buying stuff

Kristin seemed to be his one exception.

you handle this one?” he asked in a low

stood far away, looking up at him briefly, then fell

James took a

fearing his anger, edged

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

the

simplest phone she could find, a

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

picked up a phone, grabbed Kristin’s wrist, and led

out.

wanted to pull

you want to get a hang of it first?”

Kristin stayed silent.

that…

display assistant lit up upon seeing James. “Mr. Bryce, why didn’t Linda come

around in the past, known to everyone in the

Chapter 56

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

his face and instinctively glanced at Kristin, who looked

clear–headed that men like him were all

was just a fleeting plaything,

faux pas, covered her mouth in panic.

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

brought today? He never brings anyone here willingly, and he even held her hand.”

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

in the fitting room, overhearing the gossip

whispered, “What’s your

Kristin said nothing.

girls with grace, like those who’ve danced since

paused, still

ditches that haughty

being looked down on. What

into a white dress the assistant had brought,

Kristin for a long

changed drastically. The sparkle was

she quickly lowered her gaze, not daring

was a stranger to

James

Kristin, asking her to

asked, looking

3/5

Chapter 56

out to be James‘ girlfriend, then

wasn’t going to destroy others‘ love.