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 clenched James‘

have

he wanted to see her stripped

it to IF, James called

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

into shopping, never buying stuff unless

be his one exception.

one?” he asked in

looking up at him briefly, then fell silent.

took a

fearing his anger, edged closer.

the grid, she might not know how to

the world.

head, then pointed to the simplest phone she could find, a model typically used by seniors.

out a chuckle. He wasn’t typically someone who was prone to laughter,

up a phone, grabbed Kristin’s

out.

to pull away.

of it

Kristin stayed silent.

that… Mr.

into a high–end boutique, and the display assistant lit up upon seeing James. “Mr.

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

Chapter 56

with her nose in the air, taking pride

who looked back, withdrawing her wrist from his grasp.

that men like him

was just a

realizing the faux pas, covered her mouth

said irritably, massaging his temples and flipping through a

brings anyone here willingly, and he even

country bumpkin. Did Mr. Bryce change

in the fitting room, overhearing the

her and whispered, “What’s your relationship with

Kristin said nothing.

confidence. Mr. Bryce likes girls with grace, like those who’ve danced since

paused, still

ditches that haughty

respond and didn’t care about being looked down on. What mattered

had

Kristin for a long silence.

changed drastically. The sparkle was gone.

herself in the mirror, she quickly

a stranger to

do.” James

assistant went to find more clothes for Kristin,

Kristin asked,

3/5

Chapter 56

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

going to