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?

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.

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

clothes.

fiddled with the landline then

Whitney asked as

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

Chapter 196

the locked door. What did she have to

pondered her next move, the landline on the

maid looked down

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

getting the lay of the land, and as she

Whitney slipped into Elaine’s room.

to be her and Ludwik’s master bedroom. The

removal surgery. Opening a drawer, she

so much if the hospital could supply it at

Something was off.

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

samples of both

Elaine’s purse, left carelessly open on the hanger. Inside, a red

The half–ring

the stairs jolted her back

standing at the door. The maid handed Whitney the items for Elaine, locking

her own car, her mind racing. She compared the crushed pills–on one side, legitimate kidney medication, and

tablet.

vitamin to an experienced pharmacist with an apologetic smile. “I accidentally lost the bottle and can’t remember what this is.

quick test, the pharmacist returned with an incredulous grin. “Miss, this is just a common vitamin tablet. You’ve probably been taking

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

been taking her prescribed medicine at all?

she drove, a chilling realization