Page 28 of King of Pride

Oswald stared at him as though he still couldn't believe what he had heard.

“He hit her?”

Troy nodded.

“Yes. That's what I heard. He slapped her because she broke something in his house.”

Oswald's anger rose to the point where it was almost visible.

“Find out what she broke,” he ordered. “Whatever it was, send a dozen of it to his house. I don't want us to owe him anything.”

Troy immediately nodded.

“And call my secretary. Tell him to inform Ivan's family that their business and personal relationship with us is over. We will not give them any business in the future. Cancel all our business dealings with them immediately.”

He paused, his jaw tightening.

“And tell them that Ivan and Rose will have no relationship with each other going forward. Everything is finished.”

“Yes, sir.”

Troy nodded again.

The old man had seen firsthand how much Oswald cared about Rose. He had never allowed anyone to harm her if he could prevent it. She had been pampered from a young age, especially after losing her mother, and Oswald had always treated her as though she were something precious that he needed to protect.

It had always been the two of them against the world.

Yet Rose had never taken advantage of her father's love. Despite being pampered, she had never become arrogant or selfish. She had always been cheerful, caring, and deeply devoted to the people she loved. She had never allowed her father's wealth or influence to give her an ego when it came to her relationships with others.

And now, hearing that someone like Ivan had struck his daughter was enough to make Oswald decide that the relationship was beyond repair.

Troy turned and hurried away. He disappeared down the hallway, already reaching for his phone as he prepared to make the necessary calls.

A moment later, the main door opened.

Oswald looked up.

Maverick walked through the entrance carrying Rose in his arms.

Rose was still wrapped in the coat Maverick had placed around her shoulders, the heavy fabric completely enveloping her as he carried her inside.

Oswald stared at him.

A confused expression slowly appeared on his face.

His gaze moved from Maverick to Rose and then back to Maverick again.

“What is he doing here?” he muttered.

Maverick Bishop was a man who had always kept his personal life carefully hidden from the public eye. As far as Oswald knew, he was simply the older brother of Rose’s best friend.

But Oswald also knew exactly what kind of man Maverick was.

He was one of the most ruthless men in the business world—a man people feared yet desperately wanted to have a relationship with because the advantages of being connected to someone like him could be enough to turn a lifetime of hard work into a fortune. The Bishop Empire was enormous, and Oswald’s perfume company was one of several smaller businesses that regularly maintained close dealings with Maverick’s empire.

Yet despite their business connection, Oswald had never personally interacted with Maverick beyond the occasional business meeting or formal event. They had crossed paths several times, but they had never had a real conversation.

Until now.