Love Beyond the Mask by Adelaide Sinclair

Chapter 380

Tiana watched Whitney return empty-handed, her heart aching uncontrollably. "Whitney, all this effort you're putting in for that jerk Ludwik, it's just not worth it! You've been busting your gut trying to heal his mom, and what does he do? Doubts you, even forbids you from treating the old lady!"

ago did a number on him, so he's lumped me in with the bad guys."

Whitney clasped her chest, a bitter smile on her lips. "He misunderstands me, and it really gets under my skin. He doesn't trust me one bit. But I guess I can see where he's coming from. He's too wound up about Natalie. That kidnapping incident with his uncle three years "But the thing is, with Natalie waking up, how could Elaine not catch wind of it? Ludwik, that scumbag, is he blind to the real threat here? Once Elaine finds out Natalie's awake, feeling guilty as sin, she'll make her move. The real danger isn't you, it's her..." Tiana was so angry she could spit blood.

Whitney looked at her sharply, sighing. "You're frantic, I'm even more so. Natalie being able to speak is key, that's why I'm desperate to get her treatment, afraid of a relapse."

"But that damn Ludwik is blocking you..." Tiana was beyond words.

"I'll find a way," Whitney said, her brows furrowing.

---

After a spell of rain.

In a high-end hotel with European flair, a young woman took off her lace hat, revealing a stunning profile. The woman beside her timely handed her ginger tea, replacing the handkerchief too. With fingers like white jade, she scrolled through her phone.

A hot news item flashed up: Photos circulating online show Mr. Lippert, post his jilted wedding, still entangled with his almost-bride Elaine. Elaine hospitalized with injuries, Mr. Lippert by her side all night. Speculation is rife that Mr. Lippert and Elaine's wedding might just get a do-over.

The young woman's eyes narrowed on the news, her lips pressing into a thin line. "Elaine..." she murmured, eyes darkening, "he really does have a lot of women around him."

The woman glanced at the news, scoffing lightly. "This heiress of Bartels Pharmaceuticals got dumped at her own wedding, not a good match for him."

Meaning, she was hardly a concern.

"But how is she still making headlines?"

sip of her tea,

capable man. This meant Ms. Sheldon was about to dig into Elaine. Or rather, dig into all the women around Mr. Lippert,

on Myra's lips, understandingly saying, "I'll

middle-aged man walked in, respectfully

glancing at the clock, her lips curving slightly. "He should be finishing up at Skyfaith soon, I want to

her head. "Ms. Sheldon, Mr. Lippert hasn't been to work these past few days.

"Whitney turned his mother into

woman turned to Drew, tapping her cup lightly, her eyes narrowing thoughtfully. "Drew, go find out

her

---

At TriMed Hospital.

in cold

"What's the word, Lyra?

replied, "The old lady really woke up from her vegetative state, opened her eyes, and Mr. Lippert immediately had her transferred to a Skyfaith-owned hospital for various tests..." "Can the old woman talk now?" That was

she had intercepted Natalie on her way from Whitney's, driven by personal vendetta and disdain. She hadn't been kind to Natalie. Having suffered

done to her, once she was awake and could

not daring to think further. How could this have happened? It was supposed to

biting down hard. "Did you

by Whitney three years ago, given secretly to Taryn. Elaine, maybe Whitney has been plotting to expose you all along, step by step. I overheard the family doctor saying she discovered the neurotoxin that was administered to the old lady's body, first neutralizing the toxin, then treating

feeling a chill run through her.

so long, secretly treating Natalie. Who knows what powerful medicine she administered? Three years ago, she had brought several doctors to

her crew had managed to keep up their facade! Even Ludwik's family doctor didn't notice any improvement, and over three years, Elaine had let down her guard. Thinking, the old lady would surely die, and

Whitney had made her wake up! If Natalie speaks to Ludwik, her fake kidney donation would be exposed. All her efforts, everything,

it, Natalie

"What's her condition now? Does she recognize people, can she