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.

regret clenched

have

fact… he wanted to see her stripped of her pride.

it to IF, James called his assistant, leading Kristin into a phone

Kristin kept her head down,

into shopping, never buying stuff unless he

seemed to be

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

looking up at him briefly, then

James took a

anger,

might not know how to use a modern smartphone. She was out

with the world.

simplest phone she could find, a model typically used by

was prone to laughter, but Kristin had

He picked up a phone, grabbed Kristin’s wrist, and

out.

wanted to pull away.

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

Kristin stayed silent.

that… Mr. Bryce!”

a high–end boutique, and the display assistant lit up upon seeing James. “Mr. Bryce, why didn’t Linda come with

starlet James had kept around in the past, known to everyone in the

Chapter 56

the air, taking pride in her three–year stint with James.

glanced at Kristin, who looked back, withdrawing her wrist

that men like

a woman was just a fleeting plaything, nothing more.

pas, covered her mouth in panic. “Mr. Bryce, I

massaging his

girl Mr. Bryce brought today? He never brings anyone here willingly,

bumpkin. Did Mr. Bryce change his taste? He’s over

the fitting room, overhearing the gossip

whispered, “What’s

Kristin said nothing.

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

still silent.

and he ditches that haughty princess for

looked down

white dress the assistant had brought, Kristin emerged from the fitting room.

Kristin for

told, she had changed drastically.

she quickly

a stranger to herself, unfamiliar and frightening.

do.” James

more clothes for Kristin, asking her to

Kristin asked,

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Chapter 56

girlfriend, then Kristin would

to destroy others‘