Page 36 of King of Pride

She tried to reassure him, but before she could say anything else, her phone began to ring.

Grateful for the distraction—and desperate to escape Maverick’s intimidating gaze—Rose immediately reached into her bag and pulled it out.

The moment she saw the name flashing across the screen, her stomach dropped.

Ivan.

She instinctively tried to hide the phone behind her back, but Maverick noticed the sudden panic on her face. Before she could reject the call, he reached out and snatched the phone from her hand.

“Maverick!” Rose lunged for it.

He easily kept it out of her reach, ignoring her attempt to take it back. Then, with maddening calm, he swiped his thumb across the screen and answered.

The call connected.

Ivan’s voice immediately filled the space through the speaker.

“Rose, where have you been since yesterday? There’s a gift I want you to bring with you to my aunt’s house. They’re having a housewarming party, and they want us to come.”

A deep frown settled over Rose’s face.

“Did you forget that I told you we’re over?” she asked, staring at the phone as though Ivan were standing right in front of her.

Ivan sighed, his impatience obvious. “Look, I don’t have time for this, all right? You can’t expect me to keep coming after you and trying to make you understand everything. You broke something, and I reacted in the moment. It’s not like it was that big of a deal.”

Rose’s fingers curled into fists.

“You need to understand that these things happen in relationships,” Ivan continued. “I’m human, not some god you’ve created in your head.”

Her anger simmered hotter with every word.

“And besides, have you forgotten that your family has business with us?” he went on. “You can’t just act out like a child every five minutes. Our business relationship matters too. No one has time to listen to you whine about everything—not your father, and certainly not me. So stop this foolishness and come to my apartment.”

Rose stared at the phone in disbelief.

“I’ve already asked someone to prepare a dress for you,” Ivan continued, as though he hadn’t noticed her silence. “And this time, make sure you wear it. I was embarrassed enough the last time when you showed up without wearing a designer dress. I don’t want a repeat of that. You’ll look much better in this one.”

His tone became firm.

“And don’t be late.”

Rose’s anger was already simmering. Ivan spoke about her as though her feelings and opinions were irrelevant, as though the only thing that mattered to him was the business relationship between their families. The realization only made her more furious.

“Have you lost your mind?” she snapped. “I have no desire to go to your aunt’s party, and I certainly don’t need you chasing after me and pretending you can pacify me. We both know you’re incapable of that. You were never much of a man to begin with, so what difference does it make whether you try now?”

Her voice rose with every word until she was practically shouting into the phone still held in Maverick’s hand.

“Stop calling me! I’m not getting back together with you. Whatever relationship we had ended the moment you raised your hand against me.”

Silence fell on the other end.

For several seconds, Rose heard nothing but faint movement before Ivan finally spoke again. When he did, his voice had turned noticeably colder.

“You can’t just destroy everything because you’re angry right now. I have a hundred things to deal with. I don’t have time to keep babying you, Rose. How many times do I have to explain that?”

His irritation sharpened with every word.

“I’ve already told you I don’t have time for this. Stop being so stubborn and childish. Sometimes I wish you were more mature for your age. You’re not a child anymore, yet you behave like some teenager who knows nothing about life.”