Love Beyond the Mask by Adelaide Sinclair

Chapter 196

Elaine’s lips curled into a sardonic smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes. “I’m a bit chilly,” she said

with feigned innocence. “Could you ask Ms. Valentine to fetch me some clothes, maybe a thermos too? Oh, and a pair of high heels.”

Felix, eavesdropping, realized that Elaine was treating the lady of the house like a servant.

Unfortunately, Mr. Lippert was too hot–headed at the moment to notice the subtlety.

“Why the high heels?” he inquired, puzzled.

“Ludwik, darling, it’s Valentine’s Day,” Elaine cooed, her expression softening into something resembling hope. “I was so looking forward to a date with you, but imagine my dismay at ending up in the hospital instead. Thankfully, I’m feeling better now. I’ve never actually been on a date with a gentleman.”

Her gaze lingered on the striking man before her, filled with longing.

Ludwik felt a twinge of guilt, recalling his indirect role in her condition the night before. How could he refuse her anything now?

After a brief pause, he said with restrained emotion, “Alright, once you’re feeling up to it, I’ll take you

out to dinner.”

Elaine’s eyes lit up as she clasped his hands. “And I’d love to see a movie.”

“Sure.”

“Ludwik, are you trying to sweet–talk me?” Elaine’s almond–shaped eyes crinkled with mirth.

She had managed to turn the tables. Now all she had to do was wait for Whitney’s arrival.

Inside the mansion, Whitney was about to prepare herself some dinner when a new maid, her voice dripping with authority, called out from the second floor. “Mr. Lippert called. Elaine’s in the hospital and he wants you to bring over some clothing, a thermos, and high heels, pronto!”

Whitney paused.

Why was Elaine in the hospital?

quickly put two and two together and a cold smile played on her lips. She

assistant insisted on you. Right now, you’re nothing but a servant. Dare

turned and entered Elaine’s

clothes.

fiddled with

Whitney asked as she stepped inside.

from entering Elaine’s room. “What are you doing here? Mr. Lippert has ordered me to keep an eye on you. You’re not

Chapter 196

Elaine’s orders, Whitney thought, noting the locked door. What

next move, the landline

looked down

have no right to answer the master’s calls,” Whitney said

new and still getting the lay of the land, and as she went to

slipped into Elaine’s

the layout well–it used to be her and Ludwik’s master bedroom. The big bed was unchanged, now flanked by medical equipment

post–kidney removal surgery. Opening a drawer, she discovered

would Elaine need so much if the hospital could supply

Something was off.

cabinet. Both were labeled for kidney patients, but

samples of both medicines

of Elaine’s purse, left carelessly open on the hanger. Inside, a red string tied to a broken

The half–ring looked eerily familiar.

jolted

standing at the door. The maid handed

compared the crushed pills–on one side, legitimate kidney medication,

tablet.

smile. “I accidentally lost the bottle and can’t remember what this is. Could you identify it and possibly give

pharmacist returned with an incredulous grin. “Miss, this is just a common vitamin tablet. You’ve probably been taking it as a supplement, right?”

vitamins with kidney medication, pretending they were the same? And if she had

taking her

she drove, a chilling realization dawned