Page 109 of King of Pride

Albert's expression immediately changed.

Two officers approached Augustus and grabbed him, pulling him to his feet.

“What are you doing?” Albert shouted, stepping forward. “What the hell is going on?”

One of the officers stopped and looked at him calmly.

“Mr. Augustus Bishop, you are being arrested for the kidnapping of Mrs. Rose Bishop.”

***

Ivan stormed into the massive bridal store, his face drawn with exhaustion and anger. He hadn't slept much the previous night, and it showed.

The moment he stepped inside, one of the assistants recognized him and hurried over.

“Mr. Carrington, what a surprise. How can we help you today?”

Ivan barely acknowledged her. He walked straight toward the couches and dropped into one of them.

“Prepare a gown for my girlfriend,” he ordered. “We’re getting married. I need you to have her dress ready.”

The assistant hesitated, clearly unsure how to respond.

“Please wait here. I’ll be right back.”

She hurried away, and five minutes later, the manager appeared. He approached Ivan with a polite smile and bowed his head respectfully.

“Mr. Carrington, unfortunately, we don't have Miss Monroe's measurements. As you know, she never came in for her appointment, and she canceled the consultation where she was supposed to choose her dress. We don't have any of her measurements or preferences, so I'm afraid we can't prepare a gown for her.”

Ivan rubbed a hand over his face, his exhaustion obvious. His eyes were bloodshot, and the frustration in his expression made the manager straighten nervously.

“I'll choose the dress,” Ivan said flatly. “She'll wear whatever I choose. Just bring me the damn dresses, and I'll pick one for her.”

He paused before adding, “I'll also give you her measurements. Use them to make the gown and have it ready within a week.”

The manager's expression immediately brightened.

“Of course, Mr. Carrington. Absolutely.”

He hurried away and began instructing the assistants to bring out their best gowns.

Within minutes, several dresses were wheeled out on racks and displayed in front of Ivan.

He barely glanced at most of them before stopping at one.

“This one.”

He pointed toward an elegant gown with an open neckline that left the shoulders exposed.

“She likes dresses like this. She'll wear this one.”

The manager immediately nodded.

“Excellent choice, sir.”

“Have it ready within a week.”

“Of course.”