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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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

have

see her

to IF, James called his assistant, leading Kristin into a phone

on the phones were steep, Kristin kept her head down,

into shopping, never buying stuff unless he had

be his one

this one?” he asked

away, looking up at

here!” James took a

fearing his anger, edged closer.

know how to

the world.

to the simplest phone she could find, a model typically used by seniors. “I can use

prone to laughter, but Kristin had always

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

out.

wanted to pull away.

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

Kristin stayed silent.

isn’t that…

and the display assistant lit up upon

around in the past,

Chapter 56

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

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

needed to stay clear–headed that men like him were all the same without

a woman was just a fleeting

assistant, realizing the faux pas, covered her mouth

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

girl Mr. Bryce brought today? He never brings anyone here

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

room, overhearing the gossip

“What’s your

Kristin said nothing.

with grace, like those who’ve danced since childhood,” the

paused, still

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

care about being looked down on. What mattered was not interfering with others‘ relationships.

the assistant had brought, Kristin emerged from

Kristin for a

told, she had changed drastically. The

herself in the mirror, she quickly lowered

a stranger to

James nodded.

assistant went to find more clothes for Kristin, asking

asked,

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Chapter 56

out to be James‘ girlfriend, then Kristin would have to turn down his

going to destroy