THE DISGRACED HUSBAND IS A HIDDEN PRINCE

Chapter Four

Chapter Four: The Dinner Setup

Alexander Petrov’s POV

Alexander stood in the warehouse, phone pressed to his ear.

“I need a favor from you, Anthony,” he said, his voice low.

“Well, that’s weird coming from you. You never need anyone’s help, but I guess today is my lucky day. What can I do for you though?”

Alexander’s jaw tightened. “I need access to your restaurant. Tonight.”

There was a pause on the other end. Anthony’s restaurant—Le Bernadin—was one of the most exclusive spots in the city. It catered to the Circle of Crowns. Politicians. Aristocrats. People who moved money and power like chess pieces.

“For what?”

“Surveillance. Someone’s having dinner there tonight and I need to watch.”

“Personal or business?”

“Both.”

Anthony chuckled. “Alright. But instead of a table, you want the security room, don’t you?”

“You know me too well.”

“Come in anytime. Anything for a Valdorian.”

Alexander ended the call and stared at the wall. Tonight, Viktor Romanov would be taking Isabella to dinner. Marcus had set it up at the gala, hadn’t even asked Alexander’s opinion. Just declared it like Alexander didn’t matter.

Because to them, he didn’t.

But Viktor wasn’t going to that dinner for romance. Alexander knew that fucker too well. Viktor wanted access to the Circle of Crowns, and Isabella was his ticket.

Alexander couldn’t let that happen.

“You’re really going to spy on your own wife’s date?” Dmitri’s voice came from behind him.

“It’s not a date. It’s reconnaissance.”

“Sure. Keep telling yourself that.”

Alexander shot him a look. “Viktor’s going to push her for information. About the family. About the Circle. I need to know what he says.”

“And if he tries something?”

“Then I’ll handle it.”

Dmitri raised an eyebrow. “You mean you’ll blow your cover and beat the shit out of him?”

“If necessary.”

“Alex—”

“I know what I’m doing, Dmitri.”

But even as he said it, Alexander knew it was a lie. He had no idea what he was doing. All he knew was that watching Isabella get manipulated by Viktor Romanov made his blood boil in a way that had nothing to do with strategy.

Later that evening, Le Bernadin

Alexander sat in the surveillance room, three monitors in front of him showing different angles of the restaurant. Anthony had given him full access. No questions asked.

The booth where Viktor and Isabella sat was perfectly framed on the center screen.

Isabella looked stunning. Emerald green dress that hugged her curves. Hair swept up. Diamond necklace catching the light. She looked every bit the aristocrat she was born to be.

And Viktor looked like a predator who’d just spotted his prey.

Alexander’s hands curled into fists watching them. The audio feed crackled to life.

“Well, aren’t you going to say anything?” Viktor broke the silence.

“I thought men made the first move most times. You should be the one doing the talking.” Isabella’s voice was cool. Controlled.

Good girl, Alexander thought. Don’t give him anything.

“If you say so, Miss Summers. By the way, you look very stunning. I can’t seem to take my eyes off you. You’re effortlessly beautiful.”

“Thank you. You look handsome too.”

Polite. Distant. Isabella was playing this perfectly.

But then Viktor leaned in slightly. “So, how’s the estate doing? I recently heard that a moment of transition is currently underway. I’ve been watching for some time and it seems you’re all doing well.”

Alexander’s eyes narrowed. There it is. Viktor was fishing for information.

The waitress interrupted, and Isabella looked relieved. But she was gone too quickly and Viktor was back to assessing her like she was some commodity he couldn’t wait to pluck.

“I’d really love to strengthen our family’s relationship through business. I realized that we don’t really have much business together. And the Summers family is really reputable. It feels like I’m even missing out right now.”

“Well, that’s doable. What kind of business are you looking at?”

Viktor smiled. “I have a number on my mind and I’m sure your family’s connection would really come in handy to make everything easy. I admire your family’s connection so much, it makes everything easy.”

“Yeah. I appreciate my father and grandfathers for that.”

Isabella was giving him nothing. Just polite responses. No real information.

But then Viktor’s expression shifted. “But your husband… Alexander, is it? He seems reserved.”

Alexander leaned closer to the screen. Here we go.

Isabella’s posture stiffened slightly. “He is.”

“I’ve been wondering how he has been able to keep up with the family’s business life then? Definitely, someone can’t be reserved and still be present in business. Or, isn’t he also included in the family’s business?”

Fuck you, Viktor.

“He copes.” That was all Isabella said.

“Oh, that’s good. But I thought I heard that he wasn’t so educated. It’s good to hear that the Summers family still gives him something to do.”

“He is educated.” Isabella’s voice had gone cold.

Alexander blinked. Was she… defending him?

“Really? I didn’t know that. Where did he study though?”

Isabella took one glance at the food between them. It was bound to go cold anytime soon. “I don’t think we’re here to discuss my husband, or are we?”

There she is.

Viktor sat up immediately. “That’s right. Apologies for drifting off like that. Let’s just dig in and eat. I got carried away by our conversation.”

Isabella nodded, but Alexander could see the tension in her shoulders. She was uncomfortable. And Viktor knew it.

The rest of the dinner passed in relative silence. Viktor tried a few more times to bring up the Circle, to ask about connections, but Isabella shut him down every time.

And when it was over, when they finally stood to leave, Alexander watched Isabella’s hand shake slightly as she reached for her purse.

She was rattled.

And Alexander hated that he cared.