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?

cold smile played on her lips. She refused flatly, “Since you’re her personal maid,

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

maid snorted, then turned and entered Elaine’s room, unlocking the

clothes.

swing open, Whitney’s eyes narrowed. She fiddled with the landline then changed her mind, heading

asked

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

pondered her next move, the landline on the first floor rang.

looked

calls,” Whitney said coolly. “Perhaps

was new and still getting the lay of

slipped into

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

which contained medication for post–kidney removal surgery.

much if the hospital could supply

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.

she stashed samples of both medicines in her

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

half–ring looked eerily

jolted her back to

time to inspect it further, 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 behind her. “Hurry up

one side, legitimate kidney medication, and on

tablet.

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

incredulous grin. “Miss, this is just a common vitamin tablet. You’ve

vitamin. Her thoughts raced. Why would Elaine mix vitamins with kidney medication, pretending they were the

Elaine not been taking her prescribed

a chilling