[16]

“Mrs. Victoria.”

The voice made Victoria turn her head. Ben stood in the distance, far enough away not to arouse suspicion. Just as Victoria was about to get ready for Logan's therapy session, the call stopped her in her tracks.

“I have something to talk to you about,” Ben said.

Victoria's brow furrowed. “What do you want to talk about?”

Ben didn't answer right away. He simply gestured with his head toward a quieter corner. Victoria followed him, although questioningly. Once they were seated, Ben kept his distance, his demeanor cautious, as if he wanted to make sure this conversation didn't last long.

“I'm sorry if I interrupted your preparations,” Ben said, his tone low.

Victoria just gave a faint smile.

“You don't have to worry about doing anything in this house anymore,” Ben continued, this time in a confident tone. “I know you always behave yourself, especially when it comes to Mr. Logan.”

Victoria looked at him, confused. “I don't understand what you mean.”

Ben let out a short breath. “The people who were spies in this house have been removed by me. They will no longer report anything to Grace.”

Victoria's eyes widened. “You mean... the people who work for Grace?”

Ben nodded. “They won't be returning to this house. From now on, you can have more freedom, especially when it comes to therapy for Mr. Logan.”

“But, how did you do it?” Victoria asked, still incredulous. “Wouldn't this raise even more suspicion?”

Ben smiled faintly, but meaningfully. “You don't have to worry about that. Everything is under Mr. Logan's control.”

Victoria shook her head slowly, finding it difficult to understand this move. If such a course of action was possible, why wasn't it done in the first place?

“I know you may doubt the way I work,” Ben said in a calm tone, his gaze sharp. “However, I work only on Mr. Logan's orders. He is the only one I serve.”

Victoria could only nod, feeling she had no reason to argue further.

“Do what you have to do,” Ben continued. “Help Mr. Logan return to the way he was. If that happens, your desire to provide the best care for Abigail will be easier to fulfill.”

Victoria swallowed, sensing the pressure in his words. “Very well.”

“I have high hopes for your specialty.” Ben stood up, giving a slight smile of satisfaction. “Come, I'll take you to Mr. Logan's room. He's waiting.”

Victoria followed Ben into a room that was different from Logan's usual office. She even wondered, how many offices did he have?

“Please,” Ben opened the door and waited for Victoria to enter. "I'll ask Rosa to prepare your needs. Are there any special requests?”

Victoria shook her head.

“All right. I'll keep an eye out.”

But before Ben left, he said something that confused Victoria. “Thank you for coming to this house, Miss Victoria.”

***

“What took you so long?”

Logan's greeting immediately made Victoria take a deep breath, trying to hold her patience. Logan sat behind a file-filled desk, wearing glasses that made his face look more serious. His hair was a little messy, a far cry from when they had breakfast together earlier that morning.

“I spoke to Ben for a minute,” Victoria replied calmly.

“Oh.” Logan sighed, then looked at her sharply. “So you've got the house in order?”

Victoria nodded.

“Good,” Logan said, moving his wheelchair slowly. “Can we start the therapy session now?”

“Yes, Mr. Logan,” Victoria replied, her voice shaking slightly. She tried to calm herself down, reassuring herself that she could do her best.

As the therapy began, Victoria carefully set up the acupuncture equipment. Logan sat in his wheelchair, watching her every move with an intense gaze, a mixture of curiosity and doubt.

“Are you sure this will work?” asked Logan, his tone skeptical.

“I've done it to many patients before,” Victoria replied with a smile. “You just have to trust me.”

Logan sighed, but allowed Victoria to continue. “Hopefully it matches the medical records I gave you.”

“I know,” Victoria replied calmly, holding back a smile. “If you're afraid of needles, you can just close your eyes.”

“You think I'm a kid?” Logan snorted, annoyance evident in his tone. “I'm not afraid.”

Victoria gave him a small smile, then began to carefully insert the first needle. Amongst the hanging silence, she hoped one thing-this therapy would be a good first step for Logan.

Victoria carefully prepared for the therapy session. Her hands made sure the acupuncture needles were in perfect condition. Her feet approached Logan, who was seated in a wheelchair, while her gaze rested on his legs, which did not react to her touch. A small prayer slipped from her heart.

God, help me. I want to do my best for him, no matter how big the risk.

She began to place the first needle, then the second, and then several more, in carefully mapped spots. Logan turned his face away, seemingly not wanting to see the process. Victoria wanted to smile a little at the gesture, but she restrained herself. There was no point in teasing an irritable man like Logan.

“How do you feel?” asked Victoria after she had finished attaching all the needles.

“Nothing,” Logan replied in a flat tone. “Is it like this?”

“Yes, it's normal. This is just the first treatment. This technique opens up the circulatory pathways first. The effects may not be felt until next week.”

Logan nodded slowly. His face remained flat, but Victoria could tell he was trying to understand her explanation.

“How long will the needles be left in place?” she asked later.

“About fifteen minutes,” Victoria replied as she put down a clean towel. “Do you have a problem with that?”

“It feels strange to have my feet filled with needles.”

Victoria smiled slightly. “You'll get used to it.”

Logan sighed heavily. “What else can I do but start getting used to it?”

Their tranquility was interrupted by the sound of Logan's cell phone ringing constantly. It was lying on the desk, too far for Logan to reach.

“I'll get it,” Victoria offered.

“No need,” Logan refused coldly. “It's just a nuisance call. Just call Ben and let him take care of it.”

Victoria nodded obediently. She stepped out of the room, and just as she expected, Ben was standing outside on alert, guarding the door as if ready for anything.

“Mr. Logan needs you,” Victoria said simply.

Ben nodded silently, then entered the room. Victoria followed him at a slower pace, making room for business that was clearly not her own.

“Who's bothering me?” asked Logan in a furious tone as Ben picked up his cell phone from the table.

“Mr. Jackson,” Ben replied curtly. “I'll take care of it.”

Logan didn't seem to care. He seemed to be enjoying his free time by closing his eyes. It was as if he was taking a step away from the complexity of his workload. Is it possible for a company leader to be so busy? Oh, my gosh Victoria, what were you thinking? Isn't the answer obvious? They are very busy people. Not just thinking about working with clients, but also about the sustainability of the company they lead, right?

“Sir,” Ben said with an annoyed look on his face. I don't know what Ben was talking about on the phone but it didn't seem like a good thing.

The call made Logan open his eyes reluctantly as if disturbed by Ben's call. “What's wrong?”

“You'd better find out for yourself what happened today.” Ben handed over his master's cell phone immediately.

Logan talked on the phone for a while - at first his tone still sounded relaxed, but it got higher and higher until he was half shouting. Logan seemed to have lost his temper. “ARE YOU INCAPABLE OF CONTROLLING JAMES? AM I PAYING YOU TO BE COWARDS?”

His voice boomed like thunder. Victoria shook her head in shock. Logan's face was red with anger. And... the cell phone was thrown against the wall. Making a sickening, horrible sound. Ugh! What the hell is going on? The shattering sound was loud, making the atmosphere even more tense.

“That bastard James!” Logan rubbed his face in frustration. “He made a new policy without my approval? Did he forget who actually runs Dallas Corp?”

Ben remained calm. He took a water bottle from the refrigerator and handed it to Logan. “Calm yourself, Mr. Logan. You're still in a therapy session. I'm afraid your emotions will affect the results.”

Logan gave Ben a sharp look, then turned his gaze to Victoria standing nearby.

“It's about time you got these needles out, isn't it?” he asked in a sharp tone.

Victoria nodded, trying to remain calm despite her nerves. “Yes, Mr. Logan.”

She approached with cautious steps, beginning to pull out the needles one by one. Meanwhile, Ben resumed speaking.

“I'll contact the client Mr. James terminated the contract with,” Ben said. “You better focus on therapy.”

Logan snorted. “You think I can let James do whatever he wants? He's making this policy up as a deterrent, but I know it's bullshit. And why are the directors supporting him? Are they all stupid?”