The Platonic Trap novel Chapter 24

[Thanks for the help, Ms. Stafford.]

Celia stared at the chat log, her eyes turning frighteningly cold.

Opening Talbot's chat window, she realized she hadn't seen any of his messages since she put him on 'Do Not Disturb.'

Scrolling through, she found he had sent dozens of texts.

Demanding she return to Forrester Group to apologize to Norma Forrester.

Demanding she reply immediately.

Demanding she stop bullying Evelyn and fix her thesis right now.

The latest one had been sent just a few minutes ago.

[Celia, this is a warning. Stop bullying Evelyn.]

Gripping her phone, Celia's expression darkened, her eyes as frigid as ice.

He knew she had blocked Evelyn, so now he was stepping up to be her knight in shining armor?

He was using her grandfather's trust as leverage to threaten her.

—Talbot, you've really outdone yourself.

Celia wouldn't explain too much to Grandpa and risk worrying him, but she absolutely wasn't going to let this slide.

Narrowing her eyes, she fiddled with her phone, her gaze flickering with cold calculation.

"Ms. Stafford, is the master resting?"

Alfred stepped forward, asking softly.

Celia smiled and nodded. "He's already asleep."

Alfred let out a sigh of relief. Looking at Celia, he said in a comforting tone, "Don't take it to heart, Ms. Stafford. The master remembers fewer and fewer people these days, and Mr. Forrester is... well, he's one of the few outsiders he still recognizes."

Outsider?

What an interesting choice of words.

Even Grandpa assumed Talbot would officially join the family eventually, yet Alfred had deliberately called him an 'outsider.'

[Am I wrong? Your research is superficial and one-sided. It's more than enough to graduate, but it falls far short of an 'excellent' grade.]

[Don't you think you're being a bit condescending, Ms. Stafford? Yes, I don't have your background, and maybe I don't understand finance as thoroughly as you do, but that doesn't give you the right to insult me.]

Self-righteous and arrogant.

Half a month later, after finally wrapping up his overseas business trips, Alistair Zucker visited the Stafford Family again.

Celia hadn't been staying at the Stafford Villa recently. She still had to finalize her dance graduation project, so to avoid disturbing her grandfather's rest, she had been staying at one of her other properties.

When Alistair arrived, Celia wasn't there.

Sheridan was overjoyed to see him, immediately grabbing his hand and leading him to the study to chat.

Ken Linden unloaded the health supplements from the car as usual, with Alfred helping beside him.

Once they finished, Ken made small talk with Alfred. "Why haven't I seen Ms. Stafford today?"

Hearing this, Alfred lowered his head slightly and let out a heavy sigh.

"Ms. Stafford made a mistake, and she's currently in a fight with the master."