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?

two together and a cold smile played on

you’re nothing

then turned and entered Elaine’s room, unlocking the door to rummage for

clothes.

Whitney’s eyes narrowed. She fiddled with the landline then changed her

them?” Whitney asked as

on high alert, dashed out, blocking Whitney from entering Elaine’s room. “What are you doing here? Mr. Lippert has ordered me

Chapter 196

Whitney thought, noting the locked door. What

pondered her next move, the

looked down

master’s calls,” Whitney said coolly. “Perhaps it’s Elaine calling for you. Aren’t you going

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

slipped into Elaine’s

The big bed was unchanged, now flanked by medical

quickly examined the medicine cabinet, which contained medication for post–kidney removal surgery.

need so much if the hospital

Something was off.

to one from the cabinet. Both were labeled for kidney patients, but when crushed, their contents were starkly

serious as she stashed samples of both medicines in her

closed the drawer, she caught a glimpse of Elaine’s purse, left carelessly open on the hanger. Inside, a

half–ring

stairs jolted her back

returned, relieved to find her still standing at the door. The maid handed Whitney the items for Elaine, locking the room behind her. “Hurry

her mind racing. She compared the crushed pills–on one side, legitimate kidney medication, and on the other, something that seemed

tablet.

a pharmacy and presented the suspected vitamin to an experienced pharmacist with an apologetic smile. “I accidentally lost the bottle and can’t remember what this is. Could you identify it

just a

medication, pretending they were the same? And if she had just undergone a kidney donation surgery, she couldn’t possibly skip her recovery medication.

Elaine not been taking her prescribed

drove, a chilling realization dawned on