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.

twinge of regret clenched James‘ hands.

have

wanted to see her

her a SIM card with her ID and send it to IF, James called his assistant, leading Kristin into a phone store.

steep, Kristin kept

buying stuff unless

seemed to be his

one?” he asked in a

away, looking up at him briefly,

here!” James took a deep breath.

fearing his anger, edged

grid, she might not know how to use a

the

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

someone who was prone to laughter, but Kristin had always been

up a phone, grabbed Kristin’s

out.

wanted to pull away.

you want to get a hang of it first?” James asked, looking

Kristin stayed silent.

isn’t that… Mr. Bryce!”

up upon seeing James. “Mr. Bryce, why didn’t Linda come with

a little starlet James had kept around in the

Chapter 56

in the

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

that men like

woman was just a fleeting

pas, covered her mouth in panic.

irritably, massaging his

brings

bumpkin. Did Mr.

the fitting room, overhearing the

and whispered, “What’s your

Kristin said nothing.

stand tall with confidence. Mr. Bryce likes girls with grace, like those

still silent.

years, and he ditches that haughty princess

looked down on.

dress the assistant had brought, Kristin emerged

watched Kristin for a long silence.

she had changed drastically. The sparkle was gone.

mirror, she quickly lowered her gaze, not daring to recognize the reflection.

a stranger to herself, unfamiliar and frightening.

James

to find more clothes for Kristin, asking her to

Kristin asked, looking up.

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be James‘ girlfriend, then Kristin would have to turn down his

going to destroy