The Platonic Trap novel Chapter 69

Celia's brow furrowed slightly at the sight of the name.

Ever since Talbot had barged into her private booth and gotten himself unceremoniously thrown out by Alistair, they hadn't spoken.

Why on earth was he calling her now?

A flash of irritation crossed her face, but mindful of Ken standing nearby, she quickly masked her annoyance.

Ken had caught a glimpse of the caller ID. Taking the hint, he tactfully excused himself. "Ms. Stafford, I'll go warm up the car."

Celia nodded. She waited until Ken was securely inside the vehicle before answering the call.

The second the line connected, Talbot's furious, explosive voice blasted through the speaker. "Celia, what the hell did you do?!"

He was screaming so loudly she reflexively pulled the phone away from her ear.

When she didn't answer immediately, Talbot kept raging. "I already gave you the shares! So why the hell is Evelyn sitting in a jail cell?!"

Celia blinked, momentarily thrown off.

She had fully intended to press charges against Evelyn Morgan for destroying her dress, but she simply hadn't gotten around to it yet. How had Evelyn gotten arrested so fast?

The night breeze swept past, rustling the lightweight fabric of Celia's long dress.

She had changed into a fresh outfit from the guest bedroom before coming outside.

Standing under the night sky, the cool air carried the faint scent of flowers. She looked incredibly delicate, her slender frame bathed in the warm amber glow of the estate lights, as if draped in a veil of golden silk.

Through the phone, Talbot was still snarling like a cornered animal. "I don't care how you do it, but you better figure out a way to get Evelyn released right now!"

"Otherwise, don't blame me when I tell your grandfather exactly what you've been up to these past few days!"

Threatening her with her grandfather again.

A lethal coldness flashed in Celia's eyes, her knuckles turning white as she gripped the phone.

She was so infuriated by his pathetic threats that she completely failed to hear the steady footsteps approaching from behind.

He already held her phone to his ear.

He had clearly heard Talbot's unhinged screaming. His gaze was icy, fixed straight ahead into the night.

"Slander and defamation carry severe legal consequences," Alistair said, his voice entirely calm, radiating an untouchable, chilling authority. "Talbot, is the Forrester Group that desperate for talent? To employ an intern with such deplorable character."

Silence fell over the line.

The instant Alistair spoke, Talbot's hysterical rage was instantly extinguished.

—Even without seeing his face, the sheer, crushing dominance in the man's tone told Talbot exactly who he was dealing with.

Every word he had prepared died in his throat.

"As Celia's fiancé, protecting an intern is already crossing a line. But to give her free rein to publicly slander and defame your own fiancée?"

Alistair was only five years older than Talbot, but in terms of experience, status, and sheer presence, he was entirely out of his league, an untouchable authority figure.