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

ago, he could have helped Kristin, but he

see her stripped

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

steep, Kristin kept her head down, not daring

into shopping, never buying stuff unless he had to.

be his

handle this one?” he asked in

stood far away, looking up at

here!” James took

anger,

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

with the

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

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

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

out.

to pull

hang of it first?” James asked, looking

Kristin stayed silent.

that…

lit up upon seeing James. “Mr. Bryce, why didn’t

a little starlet James had kept around in

Chapter 56

prance around with her nose in the

glanced at Kristin, who looked back, withdrawing her

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

woman was just

the faux pas, covered her mouth in panic. “Mr. Bryce, I didn’t

said irritably, massaging his temples and flipping through a magazine

brings anyone here willingly, and he even held

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

fitting room, overhearing the gossip

whispered, “What’s

Kristin said nothing.

girls with grace, like those who’ve danced

still silent.

he ditches that haughty princess for a maid?” The

being looked down on. What mattered was not

a white dress the assistant had brought, Kristin emerged from

for a

be told, she had changed drastically.

looked at herself in the mirror, she quickly lowered her gaze, not daring

to

do.” James

Kristin, asking her to wait on the side.

Kristin asked,

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Chapter 56

then Kristin would have to turn down his

wasn’t going to destroy