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‘

years ago, he could have helped Kristin, but he didn’t.

to see her stripped

send it to IF,

the phones were steep, Kristin kept her head down, not

wasn’t into shopping, never buying stuff unless he

seemed to be his

he asked in a low

away, looking up at him briefly,

here!” James took a deep breath.

his anger, edged

might not know how to use

with the world.

she could find, a model typically used by

let out a chuckle. He wasn’t typically someone who was prone to laughter,

picked up a

out.

wanted to pull away.

get a hang of it first?” James asked,

Kristin stayed silent.

that…

high–end boutique, and the display assistant lit up upon seeing James. “Mr. Bryce, why

in the past, known to everyone in the

Chapter 56

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

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

clear–headed that men like him were all the

them, a woman was just a fleeting

her mouth in panic. “Mr.

irritably, massaging his temples and flipping through

the plain girl Mr. Bryce brought today? He never brings anyone here willingly, and he even held

looks so timid like a country bumpkin. Did Mr. Bryce change his taste? He’s over those

room,

her and whispered, “What’s your relationship with Mr.

Kristin said nothing.

likes girls with grace, like those who’ve danced since childhood,” the

still silent.

with Mr. Bryce for three years, and he ditches that haughty princess for a

didn’t respond and didn’t care about being looked down

dress the assistant had brought, Kristin emerged from the

watched Kristin for

told, she had changed drastically. The sparkle was gone.

in the mirror, she quickly lowered

a stranger to herself, unfamiliar

James

for Kristin,

Linda?” Kristin asked, looking up.

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turned out to be James‘ girlfriend, then

wasn’t going to destroy others‘