Love Beyond the Mask by Adelaide Sinclair

Chapter 386

Elaine had vanished from the hospital, a clear sign that something was off...

Ludwik roared at Felix, "Scour the whole city for Elaine, check all the properties owned by the Bartels family in Banyan City. We must track her down."

"Parker, rally the police force, get them to the hospital ASAP!"

Ludwik gripped the woman's wrist tightly, not allowing her to wriggle free, and looked down at Whitney, his gaze softening as if entangled with a myriad of thoughts. His voice was hoarse, "I didn't know before. Now that I do, I won't let anything happen to our child..." Whitney, her eyes red, pushed him away. "I hope so. Your mother is more important right now. Let's head to the hospital's security room."

Ludwik, with a cold look in his eyes, pulled her as they ran downstairs.

---

As night approached, Elaine, disguised, emerged from a villa in Banyan City.

Devin called her, saying the targets were about to be delivered to the predetermined location and asked for her instructions.

Elaine had perfectly covered up the 'hospital abduction' from the afternoon. Even if Ludwik became suspicious and had the police investigate, the surveillance footage from TriMed Hospital and the alibis would hold up.

Now, she had to deal with the old lady and the youngster in secret. Then, sneak back to the villa unnoticed, continuing to fabricate her alibi.

Driving an unfamiliar car, Elaine and her crew headed towards the outskirts of Banyan City.

By ten in the evening, before reaching her destination, Devin's call came through again. His tone had shifted dramatically, "Miss, we've got trouble. We just secured the old lady and the kid in a house halfway up the mountain, and we were ambushed. All our men are injured, myself included, got a stab wound. No clue about the condition of the old lady and the kid inside the house now..."

taken aback, caught off

---

bound and brought to this

sure to strip him of his smartwatch, GPS necklace, and any other suspicious items. He didn't cooperate and

just a three-and-a-half-year-old child, his strength limited. His eyes reddened from time to time, reminding his grandma, "Please don't fall asleep, okay?" Natalie, gentle yet struggling, blinked and softly touched his little hand, her eyes seeming

had barely spent time with his grandma, yet

these noises vanished. Sammy, puzzled, perked up his ears. Through the broken windows, a chilling picture formed with the drizzling night and the forest, devoid of any human figure. Where did everyone go? Gathering his bravery, hands

Natalie frowned in disapproval, watching her grandson's

outside, finding the area around the old house eerily empty. What was going on? Regardless, Sammy saw

grandma, there's nobody outside. We

little guy walked excitedly back to his grandma. However, his hands were tied with hemp rope, making it a waste of precious time to free himself and then assist his grandma. "Can

eyes, gasping for air, her breathing

absence of people, opened her mouth,

about her, pushing him away

slowly closed her eyes. No matter how

move her, and with this chance to escape slipping

floor, and then bit the pen to scribble a message on a torn piece of paper. He placed the note in his

impossible for Sammy to recognize any direction, his frail body darting through the forest, desperate and confused. He dared not shout for

slope ahead, holding a transparent umbrella, resembling a young girl's silhouette. At first, Sammy was startled but then gathered his courage, tentatively calling out, "Miss? Could you please help? My grandma has fainted inside!" The figure remained silent, twirling a fancy handkerchief, and gently coughed. She turned around, giving Sammy a glance,

girl turned, a flash of lightning illuminated her face, and Sammy looked up, his eyes wide. She bore a resemblance to his mommy. Was he seeing things?

we can find others to help," the girl said