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 and two together and a cold smile played on her lips. She refused flatly, “Since you’re her

assistant insisted on you. Right now, you’re nothing but

then turned and entered Elaine’s room,

clothes.

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

Whitney asked as she

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

Chapter 196

thought, noting the locked door.

next move, the landline on the first

looked down

have no right to answer the master’s calls,” Whitney said coolly. “Perhaps it’s Elaine calling for

still getting the lay of the land, and as

the opportunity, Whitney slipped into Elaine’s

and Ludwik’s master bedroom. The big bed was unchanged, now flanked by medical equipment and a nurse’s

medication for post–kidney removal surgery. Opening

so much if the hospital could

Something was off.

compared a pill from the drawer to one from the cabinet. Both were labeled for kidney patients, but

stashed samples of

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

The half–ring

jolted her back to

further, Whitney dashed out just as the maid returned, relieved to find her still standing at the door. The maid handed Whitney the items

She compared the crushed pills–on one side, legitimate kidney medication, and on the other, something that

tablet.

smile. “I accidentally

quick test, the pharmacist returned with an incredulous grin. “Miss, this is just

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

not been taking her prescribed medicine at all?

a chilling realization dawned on