Page 71 of King of Pride

“Are you sure she’s here?” Jessica asked, glancing toward the building. “Maybe she went home today.”

“She won’t be home.”

Ivan kept his eyes on the entrance.

“When we were together, she was either at her office or at her father’s house.”

His gaze shifted briefly toward the parking area.

“Her car isn’t at her father’s house, so she has to be here.”

Jessica nodded, though uncertainty still lingered in her expression.

They waited.

Minutes passed.

Then more.

Ivan’s fingers remained tightly wrapped around the steering wheel, his shoulders rigid with tension as he watched every person leaving the building.

Nearly an hour later, Rose finally appeared through the main entrance.

Ivan’s expression immediately brightened.

“See?” he said, a hint of satisfaction entering his voice. “I told you. She’s here.”

He watched Rose descend the steps.

“She’s always been obsessed with work. This is exactly where she would be.”

Before Ivan could say anything else, Jessica opened her door and stepped out.

Ivan barely noticed.

He was already getting out of the car, his attention completely fixed on Rose.

Jessica hesitated for a second before following him. She rounded the car and walked toward him.

Rose saw the two of them standing side by side, and her steps immediately faltered. A look of displeasure crossed her face, but she quickly looked away and tried to walk past them without saying a word.

Ivan stepped directly into her path.

“Seriously?” he said, his voice already edged with irritation. “Can’t you see I’m standing right here?”

Rose stopped and looked at him, her patience clearly wearing thin. She drew in a slow, frustrated breath.

“What do you want?” she said flatly.

Before Ivan could answer, Jessica stepped forward with a bright, almost cheerful expression.

“Rose, are you still upset about everything? About that little slap Ivan gave you?” she asked, as though she were discussing something completely insignificant. “Come on. Things like that happen between couples. It’s not exactly unheard of. Sometimes, when you’re in a relationship, you have to put up with a slap or two.”

Rose slowly turned her head toward Jessica.

The look on her face was one of pure disgust, as though Jessica had just said something utterly repulsive.

Jessica’s smile faltered.