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

could have helped Kristin, but he didn’t.

he wanted to see her stripped

her a SIM card with her ID and send it to IF, James

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

buying stuff

seemed to be his one

one?” he asked

away, looking up at him briefly,

here!” James took a deep

fearing his anger, edged closer.

years off the grid, she might not know how to use

the world.

can’t,” she confessed, shaking her head, then pointed to the simplest phone she could find, a model

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

me, I’ll teach you.” He picked up

out.

to

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

Kristin stayed silent.

isn’t that… Mr. Bryce!”

boutique, and the display assistant lit up

a little starlet James had kept around in

Chapter 56

in the air, taking pride in her three–year

at Kristin, who looked

that men like him were all the same without

was just a fleeting

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

James said irritably, massaging his temples and flipping through a

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

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

changed in the fitting room, overhearing

“What’s your relationship with

Kristin said nothing.

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

still silent.

with Mr. Bryce for three years, and he ditches

looked down on. What mattered was not

a white dress the assistant had brought, Kristin emerged

watched Kristin for a long silence.

had changed drastically. The sparkle was

looked at herself in the mirror, she quickly lowered her gaze, not

a stranger to herself, unfamiliar

James nodded.

more clothes for Kristin, asking her to wait

Kristin asked, looking up.

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girlfriend, then Kristin would

going to destroy