Love Beyond the Mask by Adelaide Sinclair

Chapter 206

Body and soul, a gift from mom and dad; she loved him, sure, but she

had to ask their blessing before making a sacrifice.

“You weren’t there when the kidney transplant happened, right?” Whitney prodded.

Ludwik shook his head.

Whitney snickered inside but took a roundabout approach, “To get the full picture of Mom’s condition,

maybe you should retrace her entire journey from kidney failure to transplant.”

“You still suspect Elaine?” Ludwik’s gaze was unreadable.

“If you believe I was saving Mom that night, then someone else caused her kidney failure!” Whitney

stated pointedly.

Ludwik pinched the bridge of his nose, considering her logic. There had to be a reason for his mother’s

sudden kidney failure.

If not Whitney, then perhaps Elaine was involved?

But he couldn’t investigate. To do so would mean doubting Elaine, who had sacrificed so much for him.

If she were innocent, it would break her

heart.

After a few seconds of contemplation, Ludwik instructed the maid, “Go to the front yard, wake Elaine. I

need to confront her and Ms. Valentine

face–to–face.”

Whitney looked up, startled. Did he believe her?

Otherwise, why would he want to confront Elaine? Although he hadn’t mentioned reopening the

investigation, Whitney was surprised! Her heart pounded with foolish hope.

Elaine, having just bribed a hospital doctor, stepped out to find her trusted maid on the phone.

pier

“Miss, something’s up. The Boss took Whitney to the main house early this morning to see his mother,

and I don’t know what they’ve discussed, but he suddenly asked me to wake you, said he needs to see

you in person! He doesn’t know you’re not in your room. What should I tell him?”

Elaine’s legs almost gave way.

Lyra furrowed her brows, “It must be that wretch Whitney. She’s convinced the Boss of something. He

might be suspecting the kidnapping incident!”

Elaine bit her lip, going pale.

Damn Parker for starting this. Ludwik’s softening towards Whitney, taking her to see the old lady.

Maybe Whitney replayed the facts, and this time, Ludwik might be listening!

Lyra grimaced, “Just say I’m at the hospital for suture removal. I’ll be

back soon.”

The maid hung up, but Elaine was rattled. Returning now, she’d face a confrontation with Whitney, and

although confident in her deceit, Whitney was no pushover, and Ludwik was shrewd. If he suggested

revisiting the transplant, she’d be in trouble.

Her arrangements were meticulous, but fear of oversight lingered.

Damn it, she needed a distraction for Ludwik, to bury any suspicion. Snatching her phone, she dialed

furiously, “Jaxon, why haven’t you found that video of Whitney and Bryce?”

“Miss, I haven’t got anything yet…” As Jaxon hesitated, Elaine’s phone pinged with a new email.

She opened the attachment, stunned by the contents.

Then, checking the sender’s details, found it anonymous.

Chapter

Who was this timely ally?

Elaine smirked, her panic subsiding as she slid into her car with a

cunning smile, instructing Lyra, “Get the media on the line, as many as possible!”

Whitney, you think you can expose me? You’ve just sealed your fate.

“Boss, Elaine’s suture removal was this morning. She’s at the hospital and will return soon,” the maid

informed Ludwik.

Frowning, Ludwik mused, “Why didn’t she tell me? Did she go alone?”

“I’m not sure,” the maid trembled.

Whitney glanced at the clock. Barely past seven, was Elaine that eager for suture removal?

The hospital for the removal was the same one for the surgery. Considering Ludwik’s recent

questioning, Whitney suspected Elaine was panicking.

“Wait outside for me,” Ludwik said, turning to his mother.

Whitney nodded and left the house.

Standing by his mother’s bedside, Ludwik sighed, “Mother, do you believe Whitney means no harm?”

Clasping her hand, his eyes showed pain, “To be honest, forgiving her feels like betraying you. But

without her, I’m hollow. What should I do?”

He seemed to have his answer.

“Damn it, I still want her. If she hasn’t hurt you or wronged me, can I keep her?”

He chuckled wryly, clenching his fist, then guiltily walked out.

Seeing her delicate form in the hallway, his lips curved involuntarily.

Could he begin to let go of his deep–seated hatred?

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“Let’s go,” he said, reaching for her hand.

Whitney stumbled, her heartbeat thundering, her hand trembling in his.

He felt her stiffness but said nothing as they walked together to the

main house.

Was she dreaming? His hand holding hers, could he be forgiving her?

His softened demeanor sent her heart racing, anxious and hopeful.

Back in the villa, Ludwik ordered breakfast.

He called a doctor to take her temperature, even placing the cold pack on her forehead himself.

Though silent, his gaze was no longer icy.

Whitney watched him, wishing time would stand still.

Breakfast arrived, and he teased her dazed stare, “Never seen a guy this handsome? You said you

skipped dinner. Eat.”

Blushing, Whitney bowed her head and ate, her hunger returning.

He watched her, deep in thought, then asked quietly, “Why didn’t you tell

me about rushing to South City to save Braxton?”

Whitney froze. He knew?

Thinking back, it must have been that day in the hospital when Braxton had let something slip.

She pursed her lips, swallowing the bitterness that threatened to rise, and cautiously met his handsome

gaze. “Back then, Uncle and I were in the same boat. I had to protect him. If you found out he was

involved in something that could hurt United Realty Corporation, you wouldn’t have let him off easy.”

“Is that the only reason?” Ludwik’s tone made it clear he wasn’t entirely satisfied with her answer.

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Chapter 206

Whitney’s face stiffened, and she averted her eyes. “I was also afraid something might happen to you.”

His lips curved slightly as he probed further, “What time did you treat Braxton? And why did you wait

until morning to come to the police station to see me? You made me misunderstand. Where were you

in

between?”

Whitney’s spoon clattered against her bowl’s edge.

She saw the concern etch into his brow and realized she couldn’t tell him about the incident in the hotel

where she had to save Bryce after he’d been drugged.

She lowered her head, her voice a whisper, “I didn’t go anywhere. I was with Braxton the whole time,

making sure he was out of danger. Only then did I leave the hospital to come see you.”

Ludwik’s eyebrows knotted together, but he remembered how her clothes were drenched that morning.

Was it raining that night?