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‘

he could have

to see her stripped of her

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

kept her head down,

shopping, never buying

to be his

one?” he asked in a low

far away, looking up at him briefly, then fell

took a

his anger,

not know how to

the

to the simplest phone she could find, a model typically

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

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

out.

to pull

to get a hang of it first?” James

Kristin stayed silent.

isn’t that…

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

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

Chapter 56

around with her nose in the air, taking pride in her three–year stint

who

like him were

a woman was just a fleeting plaything,

display assistant, realizing the faux pas, covered her mouth in panic. “Mr. Bryce,

irritably, massaging his temples and flipping through a magazine

Mr. Bryce brought today? He never brings anyone

like a country bumpkin. Did Mr. Bryce change his

the fitting room, overhearing the gossip

tailor measured her and whispered, “What’s

Kristin said nothing.

Mr. Bryce likes girls with grace, like those

still silent.

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

being looked down on.

into a white dress the assistant had brought, Kristin emerged from the

Kristin for a long silence.

told, she had changed drastically. The sparkle was

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

was a stranger to herself, unfamiliar

do.” James

more clothes for Kristin, asking her to wait

Kristin asked, looking

3/5

Chapter 56

James‘ girlfriend, then Kristin would

to destroy