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.

of regret

he could have helped Kristin, but he

to see her stripped

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

Kristin kept her head down, not

wasn’t into shopping, never buying stuff unless he had to.

Kristin seemed to be

this one?” he asked in

up at him briefly,

James took a

fearing his anger, edged

the grid, she might not know how to use a modern smartphone. She was

the

then pointed to the simplest phone she could find, a model

who was prone to laughter, but Kristin had

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

out.

to pull

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

Kristin stayed silent.

isn’t that… Mr.

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

had kept around in the past, known

Chapter 56

used to 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

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

woman was just a fleeting plaything,

covered her

James said irritably, massaging his temples and flipping through

the plain girl Mr. Bryce brought today? He never brings

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

changed in the fitting room, overhearing the gossip

“What’s your relationship

Kristin said nothing.

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

paused, still

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

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

a white dress the assistant had brought, Kristin emerged from

Kristin for a

had changed drastically. The sparkle was gone.

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

stranger to herself, unfamiliar and

do.” James

assistant went to find more clothes for Kristin, asking her to wait on the side.

Kristin asked, looking up.

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

going to destroy