Page 70 of King of Pride

“Are you sure?”

Ivan didn't respond. He immediately called again.

The same thing happened.

The call was rejected almost instantly.

He tried a third time.

Then a fourth.

Each attempt ended the same way.

Terrence stared at Ivan in disbelief, clearly running out of patience with him.

“You’re really going to keep acting like this?” he asked. “Things have already gone this far, Ivan. Rose isn’t coming back to you, and you haven’t even contacted her since that night. How exactly are you planning to fix things if you refuse to even talk to her?”

Ivan’s jaw tightened.

“I told you, she’s just angry. She needs time to calm the fuck down.”

“Except the fact that she’s clearly not calming down.”

Terrence shook his head, unable to believe what he was hearing. Before he could say anything else, the office door opened.

Jessica stepped inside.

She had clearly overheard the last part of their conversation as she walked in, and her gaze immediately settled on Ivan.

“What’s wrong?” she asked. “Is Rose still upset with you?”

Ivan didn't answer.

He remained silent, his attention fixed somewhere in front of him.

Jessica didn't seem bothered by his lack of response. Instead, she moved closer and slipped her arm through his, pressing herself against his side.

“It’s okay. Don’t worry about it,” she said gently. “I think she’s probably still upset because of me. Why don’t I come with you and help you? I’m sure she’ll understand once we talk to her.”

She gave his arm a reassuring squeeze.

“Rose gets upset over little things sometimes. You might have to be a little patient with her, but I’m sure the two of you can work this out. We should just go and talk to her.”

Jessica smiled.

“Come on. Let’s go.”

Ivan remained silent for a moment, the tension still visible in his expression. Finally, he released a heavy breath, slipped his phone into his pocket, and nodded.

“All right.”

He stood and walked toward the door, with Jessica immediately falling into step beside him.

Chapter 10 Call Me Honey

Nearly an hour later, their car pulled up outside Monroe Industries.

Ivan remained behind the wheel while Jessica sat beside him, both of them watching the entrance of the building.