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.

of regret

he could have

fact… he wanted to see

send it to IF, James

the phones were steep, Kristin kept her head down,

into shopping, never buying stuff unless he

be his one

he asked in a low voice.

far away, looking up at him briefly, then

here!” James took a deep breath.

his anger, edged

how to use a modern smartphone. She was out of

with the world.

the simplest phone she could find, a model typically used

who was prone to laughter, but Kristin had always been an exception

He picked up a phone, grabbed Kristin’s

out.

wanted to

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

Kristin stayed silent.

that… Mr.

boutique, and the display assistant lit up upon seeing James. “Mr. Bryce, why didn’t Linda come with you?”

in the past, known to

Chapter 56

to prance around with her nose in the air,

who looked back,

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

was just a fleeting plaything, nothing more.

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

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

brought today? He never brings anyone here willingly, and he even held

so timid like a country bumpkin. Did Mr. Bryce change his

changed in the fitting room, overhearing the gossip

tailor measured her and whispered, “What’s your relationship

Kristin said nothing.

Bryce likes girls with grace, like those

paused, still

with Mr. Bryce for three years, and he ditches that haughty princess for a maid?” The

being looked down on. What mattered was not interfering with others‘ relationships.

had brought, Kristin emerged from the fitting

for a long

changed drastically.

herself in the mirror, she quickly lowered

stranger to herself, unfamiliar and frightening.

do.” James nodded.

more clothes for Kristin, asking her to wait

Linda?” Kristin asked, looking up.

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she turned out to be James‘ girlfriend, then

wasn’t going to destroy others‘