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,

fact… he wanted to see her stripped of her

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

kept her head down,

into shopping, never buying stuff unless he had to.

to be his

he asked in a low

looking up at

James took a

his anger,

how to

the

the simplest phone she could find, a model typically used

prone to laughter,

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

out.

to

hang of it first?” James asked, looking

Kristin stayed silent.

isn’t that…

high–end boutique, and the display assistant lit up upon seeing James. “Mr. Bryce, why didn’t Linda come with

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

Chapter 56

prance around with her nose in the

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

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

woman was just a fleeting plaything, nothing

covered her mouth in panic. “Mr. Bryce, I didn’t mean…”

said irritably, massaging his temples and flipping through a magazine on the

the plain girl Mr. Bryce brought today? He never brings anyone here willingly,

Mr. Bryce change his taste? He’s over those

changed in the fitting room,

“What’s your relationship

Kristin said nothing.

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

still

three years, and he ditches that haughty

being looked down on. What mattered was not

dress the assistant had brought,

for a long silence.

she had changed drastically. The sparkle

Kristin looked at herself in the mirror, she quickly lowered her

to herself, unfamiliar and

James

Kristin,

Kristin asked,

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be James‘ girlfriend, then Kristin would have to turn

wasn’t going to destroy others‘ love.