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.

regret clenched James‘

he could have helped Kristin, but he

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

and send it to IF, James called his assistant,

were steep, Kristin kept

into shopping, never buying stuff unless

Kristin seemed to be

this one?” he asked

looking up at him briefly, then fell silent.

here!” James took a deep breath.

fearing his anger, edged

how

with the world.

her head, then pointed to the simplest phone she could find, a model typically used by seniors. “I can use this one.”

was prone to laughter, but Kristin had

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

out.

wanted to pull away.

to get a hang of it first?”

Kristin stayed silent.

isn’t that…

assistant lit up upon seeing James.

James had kept around in the past, known to everyone in the circle.

Chapter 56

the air,

at Kristin, who looked

like him were all

woman was just a

faux pas, covered her mouth in panic. “Mr.

irritably, massaging his temples and flipping through

today? He never brings anyone here willingly,

like a country bumpkin. Did Mr. Bryce change his taste?

changed in the fitting room, overhearing

and whispered, “What’s

Kristin said nothing.

Bryce likes girls with grace, like those who’ve

paused, still

been with Mr. Bryce for three years, and he ditches that haughty princess for a

care about being looked down on. What mattered was not interfering

the assistant had brought, Kristin emerged from

Kristin for a long silence.

she had changed drastically. The sparkle was gone.

mirror, she quickly lowered her gaze, not daring

to herself, unfamiliar and frightening.

do.” James nodded.

assistant went to find more clothes for Kristin, asking her to wait

Kristin asked, looking up.

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be James‘ girlfriend, then Kristin

to