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

he could have helped Kristin,

wanted to see her stripped of her

send it to

the phones were steep, Kristin kept her

buying stuff

to be his one exception.

he asked in a

up at him briefly, then

here!” James took a deep

anger,

grid, she might not know how to use a

with the world.

pointed to the simplest phone she

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

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

out.

to pull away.

of

Kristin stayed silent.

that… Mr.

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

around in the past, known to

Chapter 56

to prance around with her nose in the air, taking pride in her three–year stint

his face and instinctively glanced at Kristin, who looked

men like him

them, a woman was just a fleeting plaything, nothing

display assistant, realizing the faux pas, covered her mouth in

James said irritably, massaging his temples and flipping through a magazine on

Mr. Bryce brought today? He never brings anyone here willingly, and he even held her

looks so timid like a country bumpkin. Did Mr. Bryce change his taste?

fitting room, overhearing the gossip

measured her and whispered, “What’s your relationship with Mr.

Kristin said nothing.

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

paused, still

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

down on. What mattered was

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

for a long silence.

changed drastically. The

in the mirror, she quickly lowered

stranger to

do.” James

clothes for Kristin,

Kristin asked, looking up.

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to be James‘ girlfriend, then Kristin would

to destroy others‘