The Platonic Trap novel Chapter 77

The delicate blue velvet box, topped with that crooked little ribbon, looked rather pathetic sitting there in the wreckage of the bag.

Alistair sat behind his heavy desk, his long legs elegantly crossed. He leaned back into the leather chair, his posture relaxed but commanding.

He didn't make a habit of prying into people's private belongings.

After a brief, sweeping glance, he looked away. "Tomorrow, I want you to—"

He paused, the words catching on his tongue before he smoothly pivoted. "Have the secretary drop this off at her hotel."

"Understood, Mr. Zucker," Ken replied, completely oblivious to the sudden change of plans. He simply assumed his boss was taking his grueling schedule into account. "I'll pack these up for now."

As Ken reached over to gather the damaged bag, his eyes naturally fell upon the velvet box.

"Wait, is this..." Ken blinked, a sudden memory from earlier that afternoon clicking into place.

"Mr. Zucker, I believe this is the gift Ms. Stafford got for you."

Alistair's eyes instantly lifted. His piercing gaze landed heavily on Ken for a fraction of a second before slowly drifting back down to the little blue box.

"A gift?"

"Yes. When Ms. Stafford came by the office to pick up the coffee today, she explicitly mentioned wanting to give you a thank-you gift," Ken practically mumbled to himself, the realization dawning on him. "I was wondering why on earth she would risk her life chasing those thugs when her phone wasn't even in the bag..."

Ken's voice seemed to fade into the background.

Alistair stared intensely at the blue box sitting amidst the torn leather, completely lost in thought.

"Sir? Would you like to open it?"

After what felt like an eternity, Ken softly broke the silence.

Alistair finally tore his eyes away, his expression returning to an unreadable mask. "That is her private property."

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