Love Beyond the Mask by Adelaide Sinclair

Chapter 194

I indeed saw Miss Whitney! But I’m not certain if she ever stepped inside? That morning, Miss. Whitney

even picked up some cookies she wanted you to try, saying it was you who told her you had a

hankering for Natalie’s cookies.”

Ludwik’s gaze narrowed. Cookies were something his mother used to make, something unknown even

to Elaine. How could she know about them?

Could it be that she really visited the hospital room that night?

He remembered sleeping soundly in Elaine’s arms, and when he woke up the next day, Elaine claimed

to have cured him.

Yet Whitney scoffed and suggested he ask Elaine why he couldn’t fall asleep afterward.

Ludwik said, “Also, check the hospital’s surveillance footage from outside the room that night.”

After a full meal, Whitney returned to Everwood Villa Estate.

As soon as she opened the door, she heard a servant’s voice whisper, “She’s back.”

“Is she back?” Elaine immediately wheeled herself over, an IV drip in tow, her eyes brimming with tears,

a picture of aggrieved frailty, “Ludwik…”

When Whitney stepped in and saw her tear–streaked face, she couldn’t help but laugh.

“Waiting for someone, Elaine?”

Elaine stiffened at the sight of Whitney. Then, peering behind her and seeing no sign of Ludwik,

disappointment flashed across her face – he hadn’t returned! Anger surged within her, “What are you

doing back here? Where’s Ludwik!”

Whitney shrugged off her scarf, disinterested in engaging with her.

Elaine caught a glimpse of a scandalous mark on Whitney’s neck, her nails digging into her palm with

vexation, blocking Whitney’s path and rising to her feet to slap her, “You bitch, feeling proud, are you?

Flaunting that mark for me to see!”

Whitney glanced at her neck nonchalantly, whatever her true feelings were, she grabbed Elaine’s arm.

Her face twisted into a sneer, “Yes, I am proud. Your scheme at the conference backfired, pushing

Ludwik right into my arms.”

“What does it mean to weave your own trap? Have you experienced it yet?”

“How are you feeling, Elaine? I’ve come on Ludwik’s behalf to check on you. Aren’t you in such a state

you need an IV drip?”

Enraged, Elaine’s chest heaved, She almost spat blood at Whitney’s calm demeanor.

Forcing herself to remain composed, she swallowed the nasty feelings that surged at the sight of that

photograph.

Elaine let out a hollow laugh, looking Whitney up and down with a hint of pity, “I don’t know what you’re

so smug about, Whitney. Do you know what you look like? A fallen woman playing the mistress. He

sought you out for relief, that’s all. Men have their flings. Do you think I can’t handle a little sand in my

shoes? Ludwik and I are getting engaged soon. He will belong to me for the rest of

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his life! I will be the blissful Mrs. Lippert.”

Whitney clenched her fist subtly, the mention of engagement a thorn in her side.

Elaine’s words felt eerily familiar; not long ago, she too had claimed Ludwik’s lifetime was hers.

But how the tables had turned.

Seeing Whitney fall silent, Elaine felt a slight release of her pent–up frustration, raising her eyebrows,

“Lyra, the other maid is back. Put her to work on whatever needs doing!”

Whitney snapped out of her reverie, realizing Taryn was no longer here.

Instead, a new, unfamiliar girl was present.

Her brows furrowed, “Elaine, what have you done with Taryn?”

“She’s a confidant of Natalie, isn’t she? I told Ludwik it would be perfect for her to look after her. Ludwik

agreed without hesitation.” Elaine’s tone was that of the lady of the house, looking down on Whitney as

if she were a servant.

Whitney understood. Elaine had replaced Taryn to take control of the villa.

Taryn had helped her that morning, and Elaine held a grudge.

With Ludwik absent during the day and Taryn gone, it would be easier for Elaine to play dirty.

She pondered this quietly but realized it might not be entirely bad. After some thought, Whitney

suddenly said to her, “Ludwik promised to come see you today. Why didn’t he keep his word? Does

that mean your IV drip is for show, and all your pretense is for naught?”

Elaine wanted to tear her apart at her insinuating tone. She snapped back sarcastically, “There’s a

heap of trash in the kitchen. Get to it! And wash the dishes from my breakfast and lunch!”

Nonchalantly rolling up her sleeves, Whitney went about her chores.

Elaine watched her with a piercing gaze. This matter with the photo was far from over.

Malice flickered in her eyes. If Ludwik didn’t return, she would go to him herself. A man’s guilt had an

expiration date, after all.

She’d show Whitney how she would beat her.

As expected, Elaine left the house, Whitney had deliberately provoked her to do so.

Watching the car pull away from the gate, she stealthily sent a text to Taryn.

After disposing of the trash, she quietly moved to the back of the separate building.

Taryn rushed out, her face twisted with conflict, “I’m sorry, Madam. Mr. Lippert has this place locked

down tight, with more bodyguards and cameras than ever. Plus, he’s explicitly forbidden you from

visiting Natalie!”

Whitney pulled out the ultrasound report from her pocket, pleading, “Taryn, the baby’s six and a half

months along. I went for an ultrasound today. You know how much Natalie loves this grandchild. I want

to show her the baby. Ever since her accident, I haven’t been able to get close. I need to check on her

condition!”

“It’s impossible…”

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“Taryn, please. Elaine deliberately reassigned you. You must have made up your mind about Elaine’s

true color by now,”

“I trust you wouldn’t harm Natalie, but Mr. Lippert doesn’t… Oh dear.” Taryn saw the sincerity in

Whitney’s eyes, her longing for Natalie. Unable to bear it, she confided, “There’s surveillance

everywhere in the ward, but they turn it off when it’s time to bathe Natalie,”

Whitney, crouching low, hid behind the railing, “I’ll wait here for you.”

Taryn nodded, “I’ll get you a nurse’s uniform.”

Whitney quickly called Tiana, giving her the IP address, asking her to hack the cameras for that time

frame and make some adjustments.

Once the family doctor had left and it was bath time, Taryn brought out the uniform,

Whitney changed into it and, led by Taryn, snuck into the building through the back door.

Natalie’s room had been moved to the ground floor. It was spacious and constantly

temperature–controlled, filled with all sorts of Western medical equipment, while monitors kept a

vigilant watch over her.

The elderly woman lay there in silence, her frame much thinner, her breath barely audible.

Taryn sighed with sorrow, “Ma’am, to be honest, Mr. Lippert values Natalie’s life even more than his

own. Nearly every night he visits late into the hour. The doctors have said Natalie is a third brain–dead;

her organs are slowly failing as she remains in this vegetative state, and she may pass within three

years. Do you still have any doubts?”

Whitney didn’t go into detail, “I practice acupuncture, so I wanted to check on Natalie.”

As she spoke, she placed her hand on Natalie’s wrist to feel the pulse.

The pulse was faint; Natalie was indeed living yet not.

Taryn and Xandra began to gently wipe down the elderly woman’s body. Whitney helped out, and as

they turned Natalie to wipe her other side, she quickly pricked Natalie’s finger with a needle and

squeezed out a few drops of blood, catching them in a tiny vial.

After collecting five or six drops, Whitney wiped Natalie’s finger with a cotton ball.

After making sure no one would notice, She slipped the vial into her pocket unnoticed.

After staying for about ten minutes, Taryn urged her, “The doctor will be here soon to administer the IV

nutrients. Madam, you should probably head out now.”

Whitney bowed her head, placing an ultrasound beside Natalie, her eyes glistening with unshed tears,

“Natalie, this is your little bundle of joy. See? He’s a bit on the lean side, but he’s healthy. I’m going to

work hard to bring him into this world and show him to you. Regardless of whether Ludwik wants him or

not, he’s mine.”

Taryn choked up at the sentiment. Bending down, Whitney whispered, “If anyone has harmed you, I

swear I’ll uncover the truth. I won’t let you just lie here waiting for death!”