Love Beyond the Mask by Adelaide Sinclair

Chapter 529

Jared's eyes crinkled with a smile. Ludwik's gentle demeanor towards Florence reassured him, sweeping away any doubts he previously harbored.

Rising to his feet alongside Mrs. Sheldon, he addressed Ludwik, "My dear, Mrs. Sheldon and I have some errands to run. Tonight, as you and Florence celebrate your engagement dinner, we'll excuse ourselves. Enjoy your meal and have a pleasant chat." Leaning on his cane, Jared and Emma exited the Sheldon family's living room, leaving it noticeably quieter as the staff's presence diminished.

Ludwik, unfazed, casually took his seat at the dinner table, beginning his meal with an air of detachment.

"Florence softly offered, "Ludwik, I made this dish myself. Please, have a taste."

"I don't eat chicken," he replied coldly, his demeanor changing instantly.

Florence realized then that his pleasant facade was merely for the sake of his grandfather, offering him a semblance of respect. Behind closed doors, his disdain was unmistakably clear. Her cheeks flushed with embarrassment.

Ryan, sitting awkwardly at the table, was taken aback by Ludwik's starkly different attitude towards Ms. Sheldon in private, struggling to hide his surprise.

The chilling atmosphere Ludwik exuded enveloped the table as he finally turned his attention to Ryan, "Is this Dr. Ryan?"

Noticing his undue focus on Ryan, Florence fidgeted nervously, absentmindedly nodding, "Dr. Ryan, Ludwik mentioned he's been feeling under the weather, would you mind checking on him?" Ludwik set down his fork, his gaze locked on it, revealing he hadn't touched his food. Florence realized her plan to slip something into his meal had failed.

Her eyes darted around anxiously as Ludwik approached Ryan, feigning illness to avoid eating, "I'm unwell, Dr. Ryan. Could you examine me now?"

Florence before agreeing, "Of course. It's our duty as doctors to aid those

conveniently close to the porch. Ludwik, his figure casting a

and flashlight. "You seem very fit, not the typical

don't appear

on the face. It's during an episode

Ludwik looked pale under the light, "My attacks are rare but severe. Without my

Ryan remained professional, asking

Ludwik produced a children's asthma inhaler, leading to a brief discussion about its appropriateness and

by Ryan's explanation that asthma isn't typically hereditary, Ludwik decided to leave, thanking Ryan for his

offered Ludwik

his sore

accepted, acknowledging he'd been neglecting a

due to his busy

en novelxo

his coat, his interaction with Florence limited to a brief, strained

on her face. "Ludwik, are you really leaving

done everything you asked

dripped with sarcasm as he fixed his gaze on Florence, his eyes

leukemia, the spinal tap procedures she endured, and