Chapter 387
Mirabella made her way next door once again.
Nikolai caught sight of her returning with an antiqued–looking iron box cradled in her arms. and couldn’t help his curiosity. “What’s in the box?” he inquired, wondering if it was yet another concoction of hers.
Mirabella set the iron box on a nearby table, her fingers deftly undoing the latch. The box opened with ease, revealing sheepskin–wrapped silver needles. “Acupuncture needles,” she responded to Nikolai’s question.
She unfurled the sheepskin to disclose an array of silver needles of varying lengths, at least a hundred in total.
Nikolai watched in amazement. His family, the Reeves, had a long lineage in alternative healing and did their fair share of acupuncture, but they never crafted such an extensive collection of needles. Once his initial shock subsided, Nikolai asked, “Are you planning on using these on James?”
Mirabella nodded, her mind busying itself with how to strategically place the needles to alleviate James‘ nerve pain while also addressing his chronic ailments.
“I’ve
just tried acupuncture on James, but it seemed to worsen his pain,” said Nikolai, a hint of concern in his voice.
“You can’t stick to the conventional methods,” Mirabella remarked, her finger gliding across the row of needles.
“Will you use unconventional methods? What might those be?” pondered Nikolai, stroking his long beard thoughtfully.
Mirabella picked up a needle and turned to Wyatt. “Strip James down, please.”
James, instinctively clutching at his shirt, blurted, “What the-”
Wyatt, understanding the directive, nodded briskly and moved to the bedside. When he caught the apprehension in James‘ actions, he chuckled slightly. “Boss, Ms. Mirabella is simply preparing you for the session,” Wyatt murmured. There was no need to act as if he were about to be defiled.
James shot him a look. Wyatt pretended not to noticeJames‘ glare and proceeded to help James out of his shirt. Turning back to Mirabella, he asked, “Should the trousers come off
as well?”
James was visibly irritated. That bloody scoundrel.
“Yeah,” Mirabella replied nonchalantly, acting as if there was nothing amiss.
With a touch of trepidation, Wyatt followed through with Mirabella’s instructions, sweat
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beading on his forehead. After placing the trousers on a nearby chair, he looked back at Mirabella, who appeared puzzled by his reaction–it was just clothing, after all.
Quickly. Mirabella selected a needle and turned her attention to James, pausing as her gaze swept over his body. Not bad, she thought. Everything was in rather good proportion
James, acutely aware of her scrutiny, felt a wave of discomfort wash over his handsome face and gave a cough to break the tension.
Mirabella gracefully averted her gaze, adding, “A doctor sees no gender, no need for embarrassment.”
“It might hurt a bit when I insert the needles, but it should be less painful than the nerve pain you’re experiencing. Just bear with it.”
No sooner had she finished speaking than the silver needle in her hand swiftly punctured a major point on his chest. Nikolai, observing her first placement, was taken aback once more. The spot she targeted was one of the most delicate in the human body, a place where the slightest misstep could cause unimaginable pain.
And as she continued with the second, the third needle… with each casual insertion, Nikolai’s heart skipped a beat. Her technique was unconventional, almost reckless. It was a nerve–wracking sight.
Before long. Mirabella’s needle placements grew faster, and in no time, James‘ body was adorned with silver needles at every major point.
