Page 59 of King of Pride

Ivan’s expression tightened.

“What else would it be?”

“What if it’s true?” Terrence asked. “What if she really got married?”

Ivan said nothing.

“And even if it isn’t true, you still slapped Rose,” Terrence continued. “You should be trying to make things right with her instead of sitting here acting like you did nothing wrong. Are you seriously not going to admit your mistake?”

Ivan looked frustrated, almost incredulous.

“No.”

He leaned back against the couch, his arrogance returning.

“Rose was the one who had a crush on me first. She’s the one who can’t live without me—not the other way around. She’ll come back once she realizes I’m not going to bow to her.”

Before anyone could respond, a figure appeared beyond the privacy surrounding their seating area.

Everyone turned toward the figure.

Jessica stepped inside.

She was dressed in a low-cut red dress that hugged her curves, her appearance clearly chosen for a night at the club. She walked toward them with a confident smile before taking a seat beside Ivan.

“Why is everyone so gloomy?” she asked lightly.

Adam, Brian, and Terrence exchanged uncomfortable glances. A heavy silence settled over the group.

Jessica seemed oblivious to it.

She slipped her arm through Ivan’s and leaned comfortably against him before looking around with a sweet smile.

“Where’s Rose? Hasn’t she come over yet?”

Terrence’s eyes dropped to Jessica’s arm wrapped around Ivan’s.

The sight clearly disgusted him.

He looked at Ivan, his expression hardening.

“Are you really going to keep acting like this?” he asked. “One day, you’re going to regret all these decisions when it’s too late. You don’t even seem to have any boundaries anymore.”

Anger flashed across his face.

Before Ivan could respond, Terrence turned and stormed away.

Jessica watched him leave, her eyebrows drawing together with quiet curiosity. She seemed to wonder what had gotten into him, but after a moment, she turned back toward Ivan.

He looked tense.

Jessica immediately brightened, putting on a cheerful smile as though nothing had happened.

“So, are we having a party for me tonight?” she asked, giving his arm a playful shake. “We haven’t had an all-night party since I came back.”

She tugged his arm again, this time more insistently.

Ivan didn’t smile.