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?

together and a cold smile played on her lips. She

now, you’re nothing but

then turned and entered Elaine’s room,

clothes.

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

them?” Whitney asked as she

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

Chapter 196

thought, noting the locked door. What

as Whitney pondered her next move, the landline on

looked

master’s calls,” Whitney said coolly. “Perhaps it’s

maid’s fears. She was new and still getting the lay

slipped into

master bedroom. The

quickly examined the medicine cabinet, which contained medication for post–kidney removal

the hospital could supply it at any time?

Something was off.

to one from the cabinet. Both were labeled

grew serious as she stashed samples of

glimpse of Elaine’s purse, left carelessly open on the hanger. Inside, a red string tied to a broken jade half–ring peeked

half–ring

on the stairs jolted her back to

her still standing at the door. The maid handed Whitney the items for Elaine, locking the room behind her. “Hurry up and

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

tablet.

to an experienced pharmacist with an apologetic smile. “I accidentally lost the bottle

with an incredulous grin. “Miss, this is just a common vitamin tablet. You’ve probably been taking it as a supplement, right?”

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

Elaine not been taking her prescribed medicine

drove, a chilling realization dawned