The Platonic Trap novel Chapter 15

Ken immediately felt like he had overstepped. After all, the most important lesson he had learned as Alistair's right-hand man was to measure his words carefully and observe in silence.

But Ms. Stafford was just... too obedient. She was so compliant that even Ken felt bad for her.

Even a cornered rabbit will bite, but Ms. Stafford just seemed like an obedient little doll, perfectly willing to endure abuse. How could she possibly agree to such a ridiculous demand from the Forrester family?

She must really be head over heels in love with the Forrester heir.

"Leave it," Alistair replied, his tone steady and calm. "That is her private matter."

"Understood, Mr. Zucker."

Ken didn't push the issue, and the car finally pulled forward.

In the back seat, Alistair brushed his thumb over the photograph, his gaze locked on Nolan's smiling face.

"Celia, this is Daddy's best friend. He is like a brother to me. You can call him 'Uncle Alistair'."

The little girl had hidden behind Nolan, peeking at him with large, timid, grape-like eyes. She hadn't quite understood why she needed to call a man who didn't look that old 'Uncle'. But placing her absolute trust in her father, the young girl fought a brief internal battle before popping her head out and saying in a clear, sweet voice: "U-Uncle Alistair..."

"Ken," Alistair said heavily, letting out a slow breath. Closing his eyes, he rubbed the corner of the photograph.

"Stop the car."

--

Looking through the glass windows of the lounge, Celia noticed the Maybach pull away, only to slowly come to a halt.

A faint smile curled on Celia's lips.

Now, it was time for her performance.

"And here I thought you had some backbone. Celia, so what if you have the Zucker family backing you? So what if Alistair Zucker is your 'Uncle'?"

People like that were the easiest to manipulate.

Celia mentally kept track of the time.

"Norma, are you only throwing this tantrum because you have feelings for my uncle Alistair, but he hasn't even looked your way once?"

"What the hell are you talking about?!" Norma shrieked. She stared at Celia, completely taken aback to find her perfectly composed, a lazy smile resting on her lips.

She had never seen Celia act like this before. Her eyes widened as she screamed at Celia. "So what if Alistair is your Uncle?! With the Zucker family's status, even if the Staffords threw themselves at him, he still wouldn't spare you a second glance! Celia, you've completely lost your mind! You dare speak to me like that? Aren't you terrified I'll tell my brother?!"

The only weapon Norma had was threatening that Talbot would break up with her.

The lounge wasn't far from the elevators, and Celia heard the quiet chime of an elevator arriving. Her lips curved upward as she took a few steps closer to Norma.

"Norma, did you know?" Celia tilted her head innocently and smiled. "Alistair Zucker will never, ever like you."