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

now, you’re nothing but a servant.

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

clothes.

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

Whitney asked as she

Whitney from entering Elaine’s room. “What are you doing here? Mr. Lippert has ordered me to keep an eye on you. You’re not allowed in the mistress’s room.”

Chapter 196

Elaine’s orders, Whitney thought, noting the locked door. What

move, the landline on the first

looked

a servant; I have no right to answer the master’s calls,” Whitney

to confirm the maid’s fears. She was new and still getting the lay of the land, and as she went to answer the

opportunity, Whitney slipped into Elaine’s room.

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

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

need so much if the hospital could supply

Something was off.

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

as she stashed samples of

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

The half–ring

on the stairs jolted

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 and don’t keep

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

tablet.

suspicions, she stopped at a pharmacy and presented the suspected vitamin to an experienced pharmacist with an apologetic smile. “I accidentally lost the bottle

“Miss, this is just a common vitamin tablet. You’ve probably been taking it

pretending they were the same? And if she had just

taking her prescribed

chilling realization dawned