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 clenched

have helped Kristin, but

to see her stripped

with her ID and send it to

the phones were steep, Kristin kept her head down, not daring to look.

into shopping, never buying stuff unless he

seemed to be his one exception.

you handle this one?” he asked in a low voice.

away, looking up at him briefly,

James took a deep breath.

anger,

off the grid, she might not know how to use

the

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

typically someone who was prone to laughter, but Kristin had always been an exception

you.” He picked up

out.

to pull away.

you want to get a hang of it

Kristin stayed silent.

isn’t that… Mr.

assistant lit up upon seeing James. “Mr. Bryce, why didn’t Linda

kept around in the past, known to

Chapter 56

her nose in the air, taking

Kristin, who looked back,

like

just a

covered her

massaging his temples and flipping through a magazine on

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

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

the fitting room, overhearing the

whispered, “What’s your

Kristin said nothing.

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

paused, still

for three years, and he ditches

about being looked down on. What mattered was not interfering

dress the assistant had brought, Kristin emerged

watched Kristin for a long

changed drastically. The sparkle was gone.

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

stranger to

do.” James nodded.

clothes for Kristin, asking her to

asked, looking

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then Kristin would have

wasn’t going to destroy