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.

regret clenched

have helped

wanted to see her stripped of her pride.

send it to IF, James called

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

shopping, never buying stuff unless he had

Kristin seemed to be his one

you handle this one?” he

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

James took a

anger, edged

grid, she might not know how to

with the world.

pointed to the simplest phone she could find, a model typically used

who was prone to laughter, but Kristin had always been an exception

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

out.

to pull away.

of it first?” James asked, looking at her.

Kristin stayed silent.

isn’t that… Mr. Bryce!”

and the display assistant lit up upon seeing James. “Mr.

starlet James had kept around in the past, known

Chapter 56

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

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

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

them, a woman was just a fleeting plaything, nothing more.

faux pas, covered her mouth in panic.

said irritably, massaging his temples and flipping

brings

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

room,

her and whispered, “What’s your

Kristin said nothing.

with grace, like

paused, still

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

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

into a white dress the assistant had

Kristin for a long

had changed drastically. The sparkle was gone.

quickly lowered her gaze,

a stranger to herself, unfamiliar

do.” James

clothes for Kristin, asking her

Linda?” Kristin asked, looking up.

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Chapter 56

turned out to be James‘ girlfriend, then Kristin would have to

going to destroy others‘