The Platonic Trap novel Chapter 51

Stepping out from backstage, Celia Stafford instantly spotted the man standing a short distance away.

Alistair Zucker had one hand tucked into his slacks, his head bowed as he checked his phone, a faint crease between his brows.

"Uncle Alistair!"

Celia approached him with a radiant, soft smile curving her lips.

Hearing her, Alistair lowered his phone and gave a curt nod. "You can handle Evelyn Morgan yourself. If you need legal counsel, coordinate with Ken."

She nodded dutifully. "Understood. Thank you."

Glancing at his watch, Alistair's tone remained even. "What time is your graduation performance?"

"Around three this afternoon," Celia answered truthfully. "Why? Is everything okay?"

"There's a situation at the company... that requires my attention," Alistair said, his dark gaze flickering to her. "It might take a few hours."

It was barely noon.

A few hours to handle the crisis, plus the commute back and forth.

Celia lifted an eyebrow, a fleeting calculation flashing through her eyes.

But on the surface, she remained the picture of sweet, compliant understanding. "You should hurry back and handle it. I'll be perfectly fine here."

The billionaire's lips pressed into a thin line, his striking brows drawing together.

"My apologies. It's a sudden emergency. I likely won't make it back in time for your stage performance."

Celia knew the reality. For a man as relentlessly busy as Alistair, carving out a single morning to attend a guest lecture at Capital University just to dispel nasty rumors about her was already a monumental favor.

He was only apologizing because he couldn't keep a promise; beyond that, she doubted he felt much guilt.

Celia shook her head with a gentle smile. "It's really okay. Besides, I might not even be on stage by the time you finish. Don't worry about me."

Alistair nodded. "If anything else happens, call Ken. I have to go."

Caught in such a humiliating brush-off, Zoe forced a stiff smile and turned to Celia. "Ms. Stafford, why was he in such a rush?"

Celia shook her head gracefully. "I have no idea."

Zoe chuckled awkwardly, her eyes narrowing as she sized Celia up.

Celia knew exactly what the woman was doing—weighing the pros and cons of networking with her.

Sure enough, Zoe put on a sycophantic smile. "Ms. Stafford, I must apologize for my behavior in the auditorium earlier. I had no idea Mr. Zucker had such a beautiful, young niece in his inner circle."

Celia offered a cryptic smile. "It's fine. Just make sure to open your eyes a little wider next time. Being a social climber isn't always a good look."

Zoe's smile strained. "Are you free for lunch, Ms. Stafford? I'd love to treat you to a meal as a formal apology."

"I'm afraid I have other plans. You'll have to save that apology for another time."

With a dismissive wave, Celia turned on her heel and walked away.