AMELIE
My heart jumped to my throat, but my newfound confidence urged me to keep pushing. "Your injury—" I insisted. "I can reverse it."
For a moment, the room was silent, but then, Logan burst into laughter, clearly not believing my words. "Mrs. Gilmore, do you know how many world-renowned doctors and healers I have already seen? Are you suggesting you know better than they do?"
Before I could say anything back, Jake chimed in, his voice dripping with mockery. "What are your qualifications for that, Mrs. Gilmore? I've searched your name online, you know? You haven't even graduated from the academy!"
I hesitated. It was true that I had never studied medicine or healing, but now, I feel like I'm bursting with knowledge. Or rather, with this unfamiliar power that claimed I could fix a lot.
"I... have no explanation for that."
"I thought so," Jake sneered, his brows furrowing. "But I recommend not making such loud claims in front of people like Mr. Grant. Many women tried impossible things to get on his good side, and all of them have failed."
His words stung me quite a bit, but I couldn't exactly blame him for saying that.
Right now, I must have looked pathetic—wolfless, homeless, abandoned, and now making outrageous claims to a wealthy, powerful man who'd saved me from the gutter.
But I couldn't help myself. The knowledge and power running through me were real. And I was itching to prove it.
"I understand how this sounds," I said carefully. "But I can prove it. I just need one single chance."
Another bout of pain shot through Logan––I watched him shift uncomfortably in his chair, wincing as the movements failed to bring him much-needed relief. I could see the red mass of the throbbing intensify, and it only amplified my concern.
"Your condition is not improving because all the doctors and healers couldn't see the real source of the problem at hand," I pointed out as his eyes locked onto mine. "If anything, every shift and physical strain are only making the pain worse. Judging from what I see right now, the painkillers barely work as well, because no medicine can reach the source of inflammation. There is poison eating at your joint."
Jake's eyes widened in disbelief, "What in the world are you even—"
"Let her speak," Logan interrupted sharply, his voice low, yet tinged with curiosity. His eyes met mine again, calculating and intense. "What exactly are you proposing, Mrs. Gilmore?"
I took a deep breath, trying to collect myself in order to sound as convincing as possible. "I see where the erosion is located, and I know how to make it disappear. My power will reach the source of inflammation, isolate it, and then gradually move it out of your body. It's not simple, but I can do it."
"What is it––some kind of witchcraft?" Jake scoffed again, clearly unimpressed with my attempts. "Mr. Grant, this woman has no idea what she's talking about!"
"I'm not so sure," Logan cut him off sternly, his gaze never leaving my face. "What would this treatment entail?"
I swallowed hard. He sounded calm and collected, yet the temperature in the room seemed to be dropping a degree with every word he said.
"I will need to channel my power through your skin, all the way to the source of inflammation."
Jake threw up his hands in frustration and exclaimed. "This is outrageous! I've heard a lot of wild things before, but this one takes the crown! Through the skin? Why don't you just come forward and tell us what your real intention is?!"
"Jake," Logan said coldly, and I could practically see his wolf taking over for a split second. "I want you to refrain from such crass words for now. In all fairness, no woman has ever tried to scam me into believing that she can take away my pain."
Jake frowned, his face darkening, but he still relented, taking a step back behind his boss's chair. Logan fixed me with a penetrating stare for a while before finally speaking again.
"Mrs. Gilmore, I don't know what game you're playing, but I'll make one thing clear: if you're attempting to take advantage of my condition or my generosity, you will regret it deeply. I am not as cruel as to dismiss people without giving them a chance, but I trust you to be wise enough to realize what awaits you if you deceive me."
I met his cold gaze, feeling a strange new confidence rising within me. I knew he could tear me apart in a second, yet somehow, I wasn't scared at all.
"I'm not playing any games. I believe I have a gift, and that means it is my job to share it with others. I can help you, Mr. Grant. You only need to let me do it."
He studied me for a long moment, and as I tried to break down the shield that hid his soul behind his intense eyes, I realized that while this man was not afraid of anything, this pain had made him vulnerable, and showing this side of him to others was the last thing he wanted to do.
"Very well," he finally said calmly. "I will let you try using your powers on me, but be warned––if you fail, you're going to regret it."
My heart raced as I realized he was actually agreeing. I stood from the bed, steadier than I expected, and moved toward him, feeling sparks pulsating in my fingertips.
"What do you need me to do?" Logan asked, watching my every move with caution.
I felt heat consume me from head to toe as I realized what came out of my mouth next. "I... I need you to take down your pants, Mr. Grant!"