The Platonic Trap novel Chapter 75

The climate control in the car was set to a perfectly comfortable temperature.

Even so, Celia kept the tailored jacket wrapped tightly around her shoulders.

It was clearly brand new. Aside from the faint scent of premium detergent, all she could smell was his signature, intoxicating crisp cedarwood cologne.

She turned her head slightly, her doe-like eyes tracing the profile of the man beside her.

The bright city streetlamps washed over the interior, casting shifting shadows across his striking, angular face.

He had definitely heard her question, but he offered absolutely no response, keeping his full attention on the road.

Celia blinked, widening her eyes into a picture of absolute innocence, her voice dripping with guilt. "I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to be such a burden..."

At that, the man's elegant brow furrowed even deeper.

"I-I originally planned to call Ken and ask him to come pick me up. I had no idea you were going to be the one to answer the phone..."

Her voice trailed off into a miserable whisper, and she dropped her head. "I'm so sorry. Please don't be mad at me..."

"Celia, I'm not angry because you're a 'burden.'"

Alistair's voice was a low rumble. He didn't look at her, his eyes still locked on the asphalt ahead. "I'm angry because you were bleeding in an alleyway, and you had absolutely zero intention of telling me."

A muscle feathered in his jaw, his tone dropping to a glacial chill. "Does Ken really command that much more of your trust than I do?"

Alistair had assumed that given their dynamic and his position as a family friend, she would naturally gravitate toward him before seeking out his assistant.

"No, no, that's not it at all!" Celia practically tripped over her words, waving her uninjured hand frantically. "It's... it's because I didn't want you to worry. You and my grandfather are the most important people in my life. I would never tell my grandfather I got hurt, and I... I didn't want to tell you, either."

"I can handle things like this on my own. I don't want to constantly drag you into my messes or make you stress over me."

Silence fell over the plush cabin, thick and heavy.

Alistair didn't push the issue further. His sharp profile remained stoic and unreadable in the dim light.

A long time passed.

"Why were you walking through that neighborhood?" Alistair finally asked, shifting the subject.

Celia knew exactly what this meant. He wasn't angry anymore.

Taking her prescribed medication from her hands, he asked, "What did the doctor say?"

Celia smiled easily. "It's just a surface scrape. It looks a lot scarier than it is. As long as I change the dressings on time, I'll be perfectly fine."

Alistair gave a brief nod.

Glancing down at his watch, he spoke softly. "It's late. I'll take you home."

"No, no, please," Celia instantly refused. "If my grandfather sees me looking like this, he'll have a heart attack. I can't go back there tonight."

Alistair understood her reasoning entirely. He didn't argue. Pulling his phone back out, he tapped the screen a few times.

"I've booked you a suite at a hotel nearby. You'll stay there to recover for the next few days."

Celia nodded gratefully. "Uncle Alistair... I really need a phone charger."

Her battery was still completely dead.

Alistair nodded. "Write down a list of whatever you need. I'll have Ken—I'll have the secretary bring everything over."