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.

of regret clenched

he could have helped

he wanted to see her stripped of

card with her ID and send it to IF, James called his assistant, leading

prices on the phones were steep, Kristin kept

never buying stuff unless he had

seemed to be his one exception.

you handle this one?” he asked in a

far away, looking up at him briefly,

took

his anger, edged closer.

off the grid, she might not know how to use

with the world.

phone she

who was prone to laughter, but Kristin had always been

me, I’ll teach you.” He picked up a phone, grabbed Kristin’s wrist, and led

out.

wanted to

get a hang of it first?” James asked, looking at her.

Kristin stayed silent.

isn’t that… Mr.

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

kept around in the past, known to everyone in

Chapter 56

prance around with her nose in the air,

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

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

woman was just a fleeting plaything, nothing more.

her mouth in

his temples and flipping through a magazine

Bryce brought today? He never brings anyone

Mr. Bryce change his taste? He’s over those proud swans

fitting room, overhearing the gossip outside.

whispered, “What’s your

Kristin said nothing.

with grace, like those who’ve

still silent.

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

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

white dress the assistant had brought, Kristin emerged from

Kristin for a long

be told, she had changed drastically. The sparkle

quickly lowered her gaze, not daring to

stranger to herself, unfamiliar

do.” James

assistant went to find more clothes for Kristin, asking her to wait

Kristin asked, looking

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Chapter 56

James‘ girlfriend, then Kristin would have to turn down his request.

wasn’t going to destroy others‘