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?

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

on you. Right now, you’re nothing

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

clothes.

narrowed. She fiddled with the landline then changed her mind, heading upstairs herself.

them?” Whitney asked as she

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

Chapter 196

the locked door. What did she have to

next move, the

maid looked down urgently.

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

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

opportunity, Whitney slipped into

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

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

the hospital could

Something was off.

pill from the drawer to one from the cabinet. Both were labeled for kidney patients, but when crushed, their

grew serious as she stashed samples of

on the

frowned. The half–ring looked eerily familiar.

stairs jolted her

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

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

tablet.

to an experienced pharmacist with an apologetic smile. “I accidentally lost the bottle and can’t remember what this is. Could you

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

gaze sharpened. It was indeed a vitamin. Her thoughts raced. Why would Elaine mix vitamins with kidney medication, pretending they were the same? And if she had just undergone a kidney

Elaine not been taking her prescribed medicine

a chilling realization dawned on