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 refused flatly, “Since you’re her personal maid,

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

entered Elaine’s room, unlocking

clothes.

eyes narrowed. She fiddled with the

you find them?” Whitney asked as

are you doing here? Mr. Lippert has ordered me to keep an eye on you. You’re not allowed

Chapter 196

the locked door.

the

looked

right to answer the master’s calls,” Whitney said coolly. “Perhaps it’s Elaine calling for you. Aren’t you

still getting the lay of the land,

slipped into

layout well–it used to be her and Ludwik’s master bedroom. The big bed was unchanged, now flanked by medical

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

the hospital could supply it at any time?

Something was off.

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

as she stashed samples of both medicines

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

half–ring looked eerily familiar.

stairs jolted her back to

the maid returned, relieved to find her still standing at the

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

tablet.

an apologetic smile. “I accidentally lost the bottle and can’t remember what this is. Could you identify it

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

kidney medication, pretending they were the same? And if she had just undergone a kidney donation surgery, she

taking her prescribed

a chilling realization dawned on