Love Beyond the Mask novel Chapter 110

Whitney emerged from the restroom, rubbing her eyes as Hannah's familiar shriek echoed through the hallways of the grand estate. It was a sound uniquely hers, piercing and high-pitched, like an off-key violin screeching through the night.

She was about to ask what was going on when she caught Felix in mid-conversation with L. "Miss Hannah is causing a commotion," Felix explained. "All those involved in the soiree the other night, Mr. Wendt and Dante, they’ve already been..."

He made a slashing gesture across his throat, unaware that Whitney was within earshot.

Her heart skipped a beat. In the time they had been together, she had seen his ruthless side. That man harbored a devil inside, and she feared Dante and Mr. Wendt might have paid the ultimate price.

"Hannah masterminded the whole affair and instructed Mr. Wendt to kidnap Madam," Felix continued. "You've blacklisted her from the entire entertainment scene, and with her father's position at The Fuller Group now in jeopardy, she and her mother have come to plead their case. But Nolan won't give her the time of day."

"Show them out," Ludwik interjected with an icy brevity that sent shivers down Whitney’s spine.

She blinked, stunned. Had he discovered that it was Hannah who had set her up that night?

A mix of emotions churned within her. She had thought him indifferent during her days of confinement, but he had been investigating the gala, seeking vengeance on her behalf, punishing Hannah.

But was Hannah truly the mastermind?

...

Meanwhile, Elaine accompanied Natalie to Ludwik's hospital for a check-up, seizing the opportunity to access areas where Parker would otherwise bar her.

As the neurologist examined Natalie, Elaine overheard the commotion caused by Hannah outside Ludwik's room.

A flicker of concern crossed her eyes, but she quickly masked it with indifference. She had not orchestrated Hannah's actions and, thus, felt no worry.

But Hannah's presence reminded Elaine of the cold, piercing gaze Whitney had given her at the gala.

Whitney surely suspected her.

Now that Ludwik had pinned the blame on Hannah, Whitney would surely disagree. What would Whitney say to Ludwik?

A smug smile crept onto Elaine's lips. This was why she had spent the previous night 'caring' for Natalie at the mansion. Her 'all-night vigil' must have reached Ludwik's ears by now.

The neurologist expressed surprise at Natalie's recovery. "Madam Natalie is doing remarkably well. Was acupuncture administered during her episode?"

Elaine looked down at the still-confused elderly lady and smiled. "That was my doing. I have medical knowledge and tended to my Natalie all night."

The neurologist praised her. "You are quite attentive to Mr. Lippert's mother. Madam Natalie, do you remember how you fell ill?"

Natalie's gaze was hazy as she struggled to recollect.

Elaine's smile deepened. She had tampered with Natalie's memory with her needles the night before. How could she remember her phone call?

As expected, Natalie shook her head, bewildered. "I don't know. I just had a seizure out of nowhere."

The family doctor said, "The lady has had her share of ailments. It's likely a complication. It's my fault for taking a day off."

The neurologist nodded, gathering the medical records. "I'll brief Mr. Lippert on Madam Natalie’s condition later."

Elaine released the wheelchair and flashed a smile. "I'll accompany you. I was about to visit him myself."

"Don't change the subject," Whitney pressed on. "Do you know what she said to me before the gala? She bragged about taking care of you, about working closely with you. She tried to provoke me, wanted me to lash out at her in front of you. And I bet she played the victim afterward, telling you I was still angry and suggesting that you should come and appease me, right?"

Ludwik's eyes narrowed sharply, a cold gleam flickering as he regarded her. "How did you know?"

Whitney scoffed lightly. "Every time we argue, isn't that how she always tries to mediate? It's a classic case of 'retreat to advance.' I might not use that tactic, but I'm certainly familiar with it."

Monica often employed such low-tier strategies, much to Elaine's chagrin, though she managed to do so without leaving a trace.

Whitney's gaze turned frosty as she continued, "That night in the private room when Hannah appeared so unexpectedly, I had no idea she harbored feelings for you and targeted me. After all, even if she did have it out for me before, she never found me. Who could connect the dots? So, I have every reason to suspect that on the night of the banquet, Hannah was similarly coached by someone, leading her to concoct that malicious plot against me. Why don't you check if Hannah and Elaine had any private conversations during the event? That would tell us everything, wouldn’t it?"

Ludwik's eyes darkened to a deep, cold hue.

Indeed, his marriage to Whitney had been hasty and secretive, giving Hannah no chance to locate Whitney before.

But recently, she seemed to be showing up more at events Whitney attended.

Suddenly, a low sobbing sound came from outside the door.

Both turned their heads to see a doctor, looking rather sheepish, standing at the doorway, holding a medical chart. "Elaine brought your mother to the hospital today for a neurological checkup..."

Behind him stood Elaine, her eyes slightly reddened, brimming with a pitiful, damp sweetness.

She stepped forward, eyes on Whitney, and managed a bitter, disappointed smile, "I never expected Whitney to think so poorly of me. Maybe I've been too enthusiastic, overzealous even, and that's led to misunderstandings. Bro, it's fine. You should take Whitney's side and paint me as the villain. As long as you two make up, I can handle being misunderstood."

"Misunderstood?" Whitney rose to her feet, eyeing Elaine's perfect damsel-in-distress act, and could not help but snort, "Elaine, your timing could not be better. Care to explain why you insisted on taking your dear Bro to the out-of-the-way Lotus Clubhouse for dinner? Why did not you make it clear that it was L who asked you to recommend a female supplier for me?"