Love Beyond the Mask by Adelaide Sinclair

Chapter 197

As the hospital’s surveillance mysteriously gone, Ludwik’s sharp gaze met Elaine’s. “You know, the

night I had that hysterical episode, you cured my insomnia. I slept like a log and was clear-headed the

next day. But last week in Amoria Country, you seemed to lose your touch. And there’s something odd-

next to Whitney, I always drift off without a hitch. Why is that?”

Elaine’s heart skipped a beat. That night, it was Whitney by his side. Was he suggesting that with

Whitney present, he could sleep again?

Damn it.

Perhaps it was because Whitney had once saved Ludwik four years ago, creating a dependency in him

for her presence to sleep.

Ludwik rubbed his brow. “I don’t mean anything by it, just that your treatments for me are hit or miss.”

“Ludwik!” Elaine’s hand tightened within her sleeve, feigning calmness with a pained expression.

“You’re being unfair. Insomnia is a global puzzle that remains unsolved. I’m glad I can sometimes help

you find rest. If not, it might be due to your mood that day. I’m looking into your insomnia, you

mentioned Whitney helps you sleep, right?”

His eyes shifted as he nodded. It was indeed peculiar, Whitney wasn’t the girl who had saved him four

years ago. Elaine was, yet he didn’t seem to have the same instinctual reliance on her.

Watching his eyes change, Elaine felt a chill. With veiled meaning, she said, “Remember, Ludwik,

Whitney came to you with a purpose. She’s got to find ways to endear herself to you, earn your trust.

What if she’s using some method to make you sleep?”

Ludwik froze on her words.

Elaine quickly added, “She claimed to be skilled in acupuncture, didn’t she? You don’t know, but there

are some dubious practices in traditional medicine-techniques I would never use on you. But her?

That’s not so certain.”

She insinuated, “I’m not speculating maliciously, but if she can stoop to taking photos to humiliate me,

think about it, is she really that innocent?”

She purposely brought up the photo incident, knowing Ludwik was aware of Whitney’s wrongdoing. His

expression darkened. “You said you wanted to observe my hysteria, but Whitney’s been medicating

me. Seems to help a bit,” he admitted.

Elaine’s heart clenched, but she maintained a composed, bitter smile. “If you find her medicine helpful,

that’s good to hear. Each person’s treatments differ. Maybe you can show it to me? I suspect it’s

something to boost vitality.”

She inwardly scorned, Whitney’s medicine was nothing but a supplement.

Ludwik, not versed in medicine, shook his head. “I’ve already taken today’s dose.”

Elaine cursed inwardly, knowing she needed to get her hands on Whitney’s formula soon.

Now, Ludwik seemed to doubt whether it was Elaine who had saved him that night, as she couldn’t

cure his insomnia.

She had to play her card. “Ludwik, I saved you four years ago. I am confident about your condition.

Whether Whitney stumbled upon something useful is up for debate.”

Remembering the past, Ludwik’s eyes softened. Elaine had saved his life; he shouldn’t doubt her.

Whitney’s medicine might just be a boost after all.

He changed the subject. “You should eat first.”

“Given the injustice you just accused me of, I’d like you to feed me.” Elaine’s relief was palpable as she

cooed shyly. Her wrist feigned weakness.

Understanding her frailty, Ludwik didn’t refuse. He scooped up a spoonful of porridge and passed it

gently to her.

Leaning in, Elaine’s lips parted invitingly. She intentionally let a drop spill on her lips, “Oops… I made a

mess.”

Ludwik turned to grab a wet wipe, but Elaine caught his thumb, drawing it to her lips in an intimate

gesture.

He stiffened.

Elaine stuck out her tongue innocently, “Sorry, Ludwik! Growing up by my mother’s side, I got used to

this. I forgot about your need for cleanliness.”

He assumed it wasn’t intentional, leaned in to clean her up, his voice low and cool, “It’s okay, I’ve got

it.”

Their bodies awkwardly close, and Ludwik’s towering presence almost enveloped her.

Breathing in his enticing scent, Elaine’s cheeks flushed.

Just then, the door to the room swung open.

Whitney, carrying a large bag, walked in on the scene.

1

Ludwik’s back to her, he seemed to be embracing Elaine, perhaps even kissing, his hand carefully

wiping her mouth.

Across Ludwik’s arm, Elaine’s mouth curled into a cold smile, her voice weak, “Ms. Valentine, you’ve

arrived.”

Ludwik turned, noticing Whitney, his hand instinctively retracting from Elaine’s mouth.

Seeing Whitney’s icy demeanor, he felt his actions were unnecessary.

“What did you want me for?” Whitney asked, trying to ignore the sting of jealousy from witnessing

their interaction.

Ludwik’s handsome face cooled as he continued to feed Elaine, recalling the photo incident and his

anger towards Whitney, his tone dropping colder, “You intentionally upset Elaine into the hospital. Why

take that kind of photo and sent to her? Apologize to her!”

Whitney had anticipated Elaine’s drama on her way over. But she didn’t expect such a performance,

Elaine lying in the hospital, commanding his full attention.

But why should she apologize?

Whitney, her fists clenched and face twisted in sarcasm, faced the biased man, “What wrong have I

213

14:48

Chapter 197

done? Last night, Elaine wouldn’t stop calling, so I just showed her the truth. Or are you claiming you

didn’t force me, Ludwik?”

“Don’t twist my words,” Ludwik shot back, finding her defiance infuriating yet alluring.

Tears streamed down Elaine’s face. Embarrassed, Ludwik stepped over to restrain Whitney, his voice a

low growl, “Do you really want to go into details? Have you no shame? Enough with your schemes;

she’s sick, stop provoking her!”

“Feeling all torn up about her, huh?” Whitney couldn’t help but lace her words with a touch of bitter

sarcasm, watching his worried expression like a splash of cold water to her face.

At the summit, he had been so heartless towards her, so merciless the night before, as he vented his

anger.

And today, Elaine was playing up her sickness, and he was all tenderness and care.

Whitney told herself that he hated her now, that his cold indifference was deliberate, and that she had

to endure it, to win back his affection. But sometimes it just cut too deep.

Unable to hold back her biting tone, she jeered, “Wasn’t it you, Mr. Lippert, who drove her to the

hospital with your mock illness? If apologies are in order, you should be the one giving them.

Elaine set me up at the summit, and last night, I just returned some favor, showing her what it feels like

to have the tables turned on her.”

Elaine panicked at the accusation of faking her illness and dragging the summit’s events into the light.

She leaned weakly towards Ludwik, “Ludwik, she isn’t here to apologize sincerely. She’s turning the

tables on me. I didn’t frame her; why is she slandering me?”

Whitney scoffed at Elaine’s act, knowing she couldn’t match her in deceit.

She could see the man’s gaze growing colder by the second.

Ludwik’s eyes swept towards Whitney with a chill, “Enough is enough. You keep saying she sabotaged

you at the summit. Do you have any proof?”