Chapter 3

3

The crowd parted as a tall woman in a sharp business suit marched toward us. She looked pale and exhausted, her eyes red from crying.

"Are you Elara Vance?" she asked, her voice trembling.

Before I could answer, she dropped to her knees right there in the dirt.

"Ms. Vance, please. I'm begging you to save my daughter!"

The crowd went silent. Alistair frowned as he recognized her. "Victoria Sterling? What are you doing here?"

Victoria didn't even look at him. "My daughter drowned this morning. Her heart stopped for ten minutes. The doctors told me there's no hope."

"But I heard about you. I heard you can bring back souls. Please, save her!" She pressed her forehead to the ground. "I will give you everything I own."

Alistair let out a sharp, mocking laugh. "Victoria, have you lost your mind? You're one of the most successful women in the country. How can you fall for this trash?"

Victoria stood up and glared at him. "Watch your mouth, Alistair. This woman is a healer. You have no right to insult her."

Alistair looked shocked. "You actually believe her? It's a scam, Victoria. She's a vulture who preys on grieving families."

"I believe her," Victoria said firmly. "Even if there's only a one-in-a-million chance, I'm taking it."

The crowd began to whisper. Alistair smirked. "Fine. Let's see what she's actually got."

Victoria tried to lead me to her car, but Misty signaled the angry mob. They blocked the way again.

"She's not going anywhere!" their leader shouted. "She owes us for our dead relatives!"

Victoria stepped in front of me, her presence commanding and fierce. "Move. Now."

The thugs hesitated for a second, but then they started shouting again, fueled by Misty's nods.

"She needs to pay in blood!" they yelled.

They tried to push Victoria aside, but she didn't budge. She looked like she was ready to go to war.

"If anyone touches her, I will spend every cent I have to make sure you never see the sun again!" Victoria roared.

Alistair chimed in from the side. "Impressive, Elara. You even managed to brainwash Victoria Sterling. She used to be such a rational woman."

I looked at him with pity. "You don't understand the heart of a mother. You wouldn't know what it means to actually love your child."

Victoria's eyes filled with tears at my words. Even the most powerful woman in the world is just a mother when her child is dying.

Alistair laughed. "Then let's make a bet. Let's see who's real. My Misty saved my son, and you claim you can save hers. Let's see the results."

"Alistair, a child's life isn't a gambling chip," I said, my voice dripping with contempt.

"But you wouldn't know that. You only know how to use people. You are going to regret this day for the rest of your life."

Alistair just shrugged. "We'll see who regrets what. If you fail to save her daughter, Victoria will destroy you before the police even get a chance."

I straightened my back and met his gaze. "Fine. What's the bet?"