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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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.

twinge of regret

ago, he could have helped Kristin, but

wanted to see her stripped of

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

prices on the phones were steep, Kristin kept

never buying

seemed to be

handle this one?” he asked

at him briefly, then fell

took a deep

anger, edged

how to use

with the world.

simplest phone she could find, a model typically used by seniors.

who was prone to laughter, but Kristin had always

me, I’ll teach you.” He picked up

out.

to pull away.

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

Kristin stayed silent.

isn’t that…

took Kristin into a high–end boutique, and the display assistant lit up

starlet James had kept around in the past, known to

Chapter 56

around with her nose in the air, taking pride in her

and instinctively glanced at Kristin, who looked back, withdrawing

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

them, a woman was just a fleeting plaything, nothing

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

try some clothes,” James said irritably, massaging his

brings

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

in the fitting room, overhearing the gossip

tailor measured her and whispered, “What’s

Kristin said nothing.

with grace, like those

paused, still silent.

Bryce for three years, and he ditches

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

a white dress the assistant had brought, Kristin

watched Kristin for a long

she had changed

she quickly lowered her gaze,

a stranger to herself, unfamiliar and

James

more clothes for Kristin, asking her to wait on the

Kristin asked, looking

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turned out to be James‘ girlfriend, then Kristin would

wasn’t going to