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.
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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
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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?”