Love Beyond the Mask

Chapter 65

Ludwik frowned and turned to look over.

Whitney stared into Elaine’s eyes, and now, Elaine gazed back with nothing but friendly warmth in her

smile. The provocative coquettishness of the afternoon was nowhere to be seen.

Whitney looked at the man with suspicion, “L, what exactly is your relationship with Elaine? Why is she

calling me Whitney?”

Elaine glanced at the man with a blink and a teasing smile.

Ludwik glanced at Elaine, and after a barely noticeable pause, he introduced her to Whitney, “She’s like Exclusive © content by N(ô)ve/l/Drama.Org.

a sister to me!”

“Like a sister?” Whitney raised an eyebrow, her expression inquisitive.

“Yeah,” the man said indifferently, “what did you think?”

Hearing his dispassionate introduction, a tightness formed in the back of Elaine’s eyes. Her fingers

curled slightly, yet she flashed a bright, broad smile, “Whitney, I’m sorry about this afternoon. I was just

playing along with Bro in a little act. It was all to help him out. I hope there are no hard feelings. Can

you forgive and forget?”

Elaine’s demeanor was playful and seemingly harmless.

Whitney’s eyes shifted, and she laughed off the awkwardness, “So, you’re like a sister, huh? Well,

Elaine, it’s nice to meet you! L has never mentioned you so I didn’t recognize.”

A sly glint crossed Elaine’s eyes, but she kept her tone light and smiling, “I guess I’m not worth

mentioning. His heart is all for you, a true example of placing love before friendship.”

“Nonsense,” Ludwik scolded with a frown, but his eyes smiled at Elaine as he said softly, “Elaine, thank

you for today.”

“It’s nothing, glad I could help you both,” Elaine said sweetly, then added, “Whitney, I was really worried

about your belly when you pushed me. Everything’s okay, right?”

Whitney, feeling a bit embarrassed by the concern, replied, “I’m really sorry about earlier.”

The man wrapped an arm around her waist and looked her over closely, “Elaine was only trying to

protect you. She was even falling to the ground, and there you were, pulling her hair out. Why you had

such fierce combat skills?”

Whitney’s face flushed with embarrassment.

Elaine smiled generously. The man knew that she was helping him out, that she was careful with

Whitney and his unborn child, seeing her as an understanding and harmless woman.

All of this was so good.

Elaine’s almond eyes curved playfully, “Alright, I’ll make my exit now. You two enjoy your time together!”

Just then, an assistant knocked on the door urgently, “Sir, the matriarch is back from the spa and is

having some difficulty breathing. You should come quickly!”

What?

Natalie was here too?

Ludwik quickly took Whitney’s hand. Noticing her concerned look, he reassured her with a smile, “I was

with my mother at the spa this afternoon, Elaine didn’t even go in. Are you relieved now?”

Whitney’s expression softened. She was feeling a bit more at ease indeed.

Following Ludwik out, they found that Natalie’s room was just next door. The room was so close that

nothing untoward could have happened between L and Elaine.

12:12

As Whitney entered the room, she saw the old lady leaning on a couch, clutching her chest and

gasping for breath. Her face was pale, her forehead was beaded with sweat, and her lips were tinged

with purple.

Whitney immediately went to her, checking Natalie’s wrist and recognizing the signs of oxygen

deprivation and cardiac distress in the old lady.

She turned to retrieve her medical bag from her room when she caught Ludwik’s eye and remembered

she had kept her knowledge of medication a secret from him.

After hesitating for just a moment, Elaine walked in briskly with a first–aid kit, “Step aside, everyone,”

Ludwik’s furrowed brow relaxed as he pulled Whitney away, “Elaine, check my mom carefully.”

“I’m more anxious than you are,” Elaine said with a smile, quickly kneeling down to check the old lady’s

eyes and lips. She then took out some medication and, with efficient grace, began administering

treatment.

Whitney watched Elaine work and was surprised that Elaine was also skilled in curing diseases.

The old lady’s breathing started to ease, and slowly her eyes fluttered open.

“Are you awake now?” Elaine asked, holding her hand with tender care, “I haven’t visited you in so

long. Although you are still looking young and beautiful, I should really start calling you ‘Auntie‘ now

with all the years we’ve shared!”

Natalie watched Elaine for a long moment before smiling, “Elaine, what brings you here?”

“I accompanied Bro on a business trip today. I am usually busy fulfilling my duties at the company,”

Elaine explained.

“Don’t ask so many questions. Elaine is saving your life,” Ludwik interjected gently; his brows were

knitted together as he reminded his mother.

Natalie pouted at her son but her demeanor towards Elaine was cool and polite, “Thank you, Elaine.”

“It’s the least I can do!” Elaine replied cheerfully while soothing the old lady’s hand.

Whitney noticed that Natalie withdrew her hand imperceptibly.

Natalie looked up. When she finally noticed Whitney, her face lit up with a smile, “Whitney! Are you

here at the spa resort too?”

“Yes, Mom, didn’t he tell you?” Whitney glanced at the man.

The old lady also shot her son a look before beckoning, “Whitney, come here. Has this rascal taken you

out for dinner yet?”

“Mom…” Whitney walked over with a laugh.

Natalie pulled her down onto the couch, chattering away.

And Elaine, who had been kneeling in front of the couch, began to pack up her kit with a smile after a

while.

She stayed, listening and occasionally chiming in, and though the old lady responded to her, she would

quickly. turn back to engage Whitney with a beaming smile.

Whitney sensed something subtle in the air.

Elaine was like L’s little sister and also calling Natalie ‘Auntie, suggesting they should be close. Yet, it

seemed Natalie preferred talking to her. There was a hint of estrangement mixed in her gentleness

when she faced Elaine.

Whitney’s peripheral vision took in Elaine. She was stunning, aristocratic, skilled in medicine, and also

a corporate manager. She was not a simple character. Whitney thought back and recalled her identity

as a fake lover this afternoon and L’s affectionate and kindhearted sister this evening. Whitney also

recalled Elaine’s earlier antagonism and her orders to fetch a lingerie; her blushing look seemed a bit

too real as a fake lover. “Auntie, you gotta take It easy tonight and don’t talk too much,” Elaine said

softly, concern lacing her voice.

“Alright, Elaine, Natalie replied with a nod.

“Bro, I’m gonna call it a night and head to the dinner party. I still have some things to hash out with Mr.

Lutz,

Elaine mentioned.

Ludwik felt a twinge of guilt mixed with gratitude, “You’ve been a real trooper today, Elaine. Thank god

for you when Mom had that sudden turn.”

Elaine patted her medical bag and smiled, “What can I say? I’ve got the healing touch. Just give me a

shout if there’s any change with Auntie, and I’ll be here in a jiffy!”

Ludwik asked his assistant to walk Elaine out.

Elaine could still hear the laughter of the old lady with Whitney while she was standing outside and

clutching the first aid kit. The old lady didn’t like her. She never had.

If it weren’t for that old bat, maybe Ludwik would’ve married her by now instead of having Whitney in

the picture.

But she’d never let him see that his mother didn’t like her, or the reasons why!

Soon enough, Ludwik had professional caregivers in. Natalie’s condition was stable after that.

Whitney’s stomach let out an ill–timed growl. She didn’t want Natalie to hear it so she quickly hid away

and pressed her hands against her belly.

Catching her expression, Ludwik chuckled, “Mom, mind if I take her out for a bite?”

“Oh, get out of here! The last thing I need is you two making googly eyes at each other in my room,

Natalie teased, though she secretly yearned for the young couple to grow closer.

Instead of heading out to dinner, Ludwik led Whitney downstairs but took a detour, guiding her into a

secluded hot springs garden.