Page 68 of King of Pride

Something tightened painfully in Ivan’s chest.

His expression shifted from surprise to sadness, then hardened into anger.

“What the fuck is wrong with all of you?”

The woman jolted, nearly dropping the plant.

“Can’t you take care of one goddamn plant?” Ivan snapped. “What’s the point of having so many people on this floor if you can’t even keep one fucking plant alive?”

Her shoulders jerked beneath his anger.

“I’m sorry, Mr. Carrington. I’ll see if we can revive it. I’ll make sure it’s taken care of.”

She hurried out of the office with the plant in her hands.

The door closed behind her.

Ivan remained standing there.

He slowly placed both hands against his desk and lowered his head, releasing a sharp breath through his nose.

For some reason, the sight of that dead plant had affected him far more than it should have.

Ivan released a frustrated breath and planted both hands on his desk, his head spinning with everything that had happened over the past few days. He barely had time to gather his thoughts before the office door opened and Terrence walked in carrying a big cardboard box.

“Looks like you’ve received a package from Rose,” Terrence announced, a teasing smile spreading across his face. “Wow. Your girlfriend finally remembered that you exist.”

Ivan’s head immediately lifted.

The mention of Rose was enough to change his entire expression. The tension that had been weighing on his face disappeared, replaced by a sudden flicker of anticipation.

“What is it?” he asked, already turning toward the box.

Terrence walked over and placed it on the desk in front of him. He picked up a pair of scissors, cut through the tape, and opened the box.

“I guess you’ll have to see for yourself.”

He reached inside and pulled out an object wrapped in protective paper. As he removed the covering, a snow globe appeared in his hand.

“What is this?” Terrence murmured, turning it over.

Then a grin spread across his face.

“Looks like a romantic snow globe. There are even two figures inside.” He glanced at Ivan with an amused expression. “Is that supposed to be you and Rose?”

Ivan’s eyes fell on the snow globe.

For a second, he didn't move.

Then the recognition hit him.

It was the exact same snow globe—the same design as the one Jessica had given him, the one Rose had broken.

His expression changed instantly.

The color drained from his face as the memory of that night came rushing back with brutal clarity. He remembered Rose standing in front of him, the argument between them, and the moment his hand had struck her. More than anything, he remembered the look on her face afterward—the shock and hurt in her eyes as she stared at him.

His jaw tightened.