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?

together and a cold smile played on her lips. She refused flatly,

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

entered Elaine’s room, unlocking the door to

clothes.

with the landline then changed her mind, heading upstairs herself.

Whitney asked as she

“What are you doing here? Mr. Lippert has ordered me to keep

Chapter 196

the locked door. What

next move, the landline on the first

looked

answer the master’s calls,” Whitney said coolly. “Perhaps it’s Elaine calling

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

Whitney slipped into Elaine’s room.

used to be her and Ludwik’s master bedroom. The big bed was unchanged, now flanked

which contained medication for post–kidney removal surgery. Opening a drawer, she discovered an identical stash of medicine.

if the hospital could supply it at any

Something was off.

the cabinet. Both were

grew serious as she stashed samples of both medicines in

left carelessly open on the

half–ring looked eerily familiar.

on the stairs jolted her back

Whitney dashed out just as the maid returned, relieved to find her still standing at the door. The maid handed Whitney the items for Elaine, locking the room

villa in her own car, her mind racing. She compared the crushed pills–on one side, legitimate

tablet.

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

just a common vitamin

raced. Why would Elaine mix vitamins with kidney medication, pretending they were the same? And if she had just undergone a kidney donation surgery, she couldn’t possibly skip her

been taking her prescribed medicine

chilling realization dawned