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?

smile played on her lips.

now, you’re nothing but

maid snorted, then turned and entered Elaine’s room, unlocking the door

clothes.

narrowed. She fiddled with the landline then changed her

them?” Whitney asked as she stepped

from entering Elaine’s room. “What are you doing here? Mr. Lippert has ordered me

Chapter 196

locked door. What

Whitney pondered her next move, the

looked down urgently.

have no right to answer the master’s calls,” Whitney said coolly. “Perhaps it’s Elaine calling for you. Aren’t

confirm the maid’s fears. She was new and still getting the lay of the land, and as she went to answer the

the opportunity, Whitney slipped into Elaine’s room.

and Ludwik’s master bedroom. The big bed was unchanged, now flanked by medical equipment

the medicine cabinet, which contained medication for post–kidney removal surgery. Opening a drawer, she discovered

need so much if the hospital

Something was off.

cabinet. Both were labeled for kidney patients, but when crushed, their contents were starkly different.

expression grew serious as she stashed samples of both medicines in her

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

half–ring looked eerily familiar.

the stairs jolted her

to inspect it further, Whitney dashed out just as the maid returned, relieved to find her still standing at the door. The maid handed

crushed pills–on one side, legitimate kidney medication, and on the other, something that seemed suspiciously

tablet.

with an apologetic smile. “I accidentally lost the bottle

grin. “Miss, this is just a common vitamin tablet. You’ve

was indeed a vitamin. Her thoughts raced. Why would Elaine mix vitamins with kidney medication, pretending they were

not been taking her prescribed

she drove, a chilling realization dawned on