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?

played on

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

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

clothes.

with the

Whitney asked as she stepped inside.

entering Elaine’s room. “What are you doing here? Mr. Lippert

Chapter 196

thought, noting the locked door. What did she have

her next move, the landline on

looked down

just a servant; I have no right to answer the master’s calls,” Whitney said coolly. “Perhaps it’s Elaine

phone’s 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

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

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

if the

Something was off.

the drawer to one from the cabinet. Both were labeled for kidney

samples of

carelessly open on the hanger. Inside, a

half–ring

stairs jolted her

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 behind her. “Hurry

car, her mind racing. She compared the crushed pills–on one side,

tablet.

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

just a common vitamin tablet. You’ve probably been taking it as

they were the same? And if

not been taking her prescribed medicine at all?

chilling realization dawned on Whitney.