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.

regret clenched James‘

he could have helped Kristin, but he

wanted to see her stripped

to IF, James

on the phones were steep, Kristin kept her

buying stuff unless he had to.

to be his one

you handle this one?” he

at him briefly, then fell silent.

here!” James took a deep breath.

anger, edged

the grid, she might not know how

with the

then pointed to the simplest phone she could find, a

someone who was prone to laughter, but Kristin had always been an exception to that rule.

up a

out.

wanted to pull

of it first?” James asked, looking at

Kristin stayed silent.

isn’t that… Mr.

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

had kept around in the past, known

Chapter 56

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

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

men like him were

them, a woman was just a fleeting plaything, nothing more.

pas, covered her mouth in panic. “Mr.

clothes,” James said irritably, massaging his temples and flipping through a

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

Did Mr. Bryce change

in the fitting room,

and whispered, “What’s

Kristin said nothing.

with confidence. Mr. Bryce likes girls with grace, like those who’ve danced

still silent.

for three years, and he ditches that haughty princess for a

didn’t care about being looked down on. What mattered was not interfering with

the assistant had brought, Kristin

for a

had changed drastically. The sparkle was gone.

mirror, she quickly lowered her gaze, not

stranger to herself, unfamiliar

do.” James nodded.

for Kristin, asking her to

Kristin asked, looking

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Chapter 56

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

to destroy