THE DISGRACED HUSBAND IS A HIDDEN PRINCE

Chapter Six

Chapter Six: The First Face-Slapping

Alexander Petrov’s POV

The Summers family hosted a small dinner party three days after the bank incident. Nothing major—just close family and a few business associates. Vivian had insisted Viktor attend.

“He’s such a charming young man,” she’d gushed to Isabella. “And after that terrible bank robbery, we should make sure he’s alright.”

Alexander had received the invitation like he always did—through a brief text from Isabella. No explanation. Just a time and a dress code.

He showed up exactly on time.

The dining room was already full. Vivian. Marcus. Isabella’s father. A few cousins. And Viktor, sitting next to Vivian like he owned the fucking place.

Until Alexander walked in.

Viktor’s wine glass trembled in his hand. His face went pale. His eyes tracked Alexander’s every movement like he was watching a predator circle.

Alexander said nothing. Just took his seat at the far end of the table—the spot they always gave him. The spot that made it clear he wasn’t really part of the family.

“Alexander!” Vivian’s voice was falsely bright. “We weren’t sure you’d come.”

“I was invited.”

“Of course, of course. We’re just so glad you could make it. Viktor was just telling us about that awful incident at the bank. Can you imagine? Armed robbers in broad daylight!”

Alexander’s eyes flicked to Viktor. Held his gaze.

Viktor looked away first. Sweat beaded on his forehead.

“Terrible,” Alexander said simply.

Marcus jumped in. “Yes, well, thankfully Viktor wasn’t hurt. Though I heard someone fought off the robbers? Some kind of hero?”

Viktor’s hand shook harder. Wine sloshed in his glass.

“I heard that too,” Isabella’s father said. “Security footage was all over the news. Couldn’t see the man’s face clearly, but whoever he was, he had serious training. Military, probably.”

Alexander cut his steak. Didn’t look up. “Strange. Most military men wouldn’t risk their lives for a random bank.”

Vivian laughed. “Unless they were hoping for a reward! You know how those types are.”

“What types?” Alexander’s voice was quiet. Controlled.

“Oh, you know. Heroes. Knights in shining armor. The kind of men who actually do something with their lives.”

The table went quiet. It was a jab at him. At his perceived worthlessness.

But Viktor wasn’t laughing.

Viktor was staring at Alexander like he was staring at a loaded gun.

Alexander set down his knife and fork. Looked directly at Viktor.

“Mr. Romanov. You were there, weren’t you? At the bank?”

Viktor’s throat bobbed. “Y-yes. I was.”

“Did you see the man who fought them off?”

“I—” Viktor’s voice cracked. “It happened so fast. I was on the ground, I didn’t—”

“But you must have seen something.” Alexander leaned forward slightly. His voice was still quiet. Still controlled. But there was steel underneath. “After all, you were right there. You had a perfect view.”

Vivian frowned. “Alexander, why are you interrogating Viktor? The poor man went through a trauma.”

“I’m not interrogating. I’m just… curious.” Alexander’s eyes never left Viktor’s face. “Because I heard the man who fought those robbers moved like he had royal guard training. Valdorian style, specifically.”

The table went dead silent.

Viktor’s face drained of all color.

Isabella’s eyes snapped to Alexander, sharp and assessing.

“Valdorian?” Marcus laughed nervously. “What would a Valdorian soldier be doing in our city?”

“I don’t know.” Alexander picked up his wine glass. Took a sip. “Maybe hiding. Maybe waiting for the right moment to surface.”

Viktor stood up so fast his chair scraped against the floor. “I—I need to use the restroom.”

“Of course.” Alexander’s smile didn’t reach his eyes. “Take your time.”

Viktor practically fled the room.

Vivian stared after him, confused. “That was strange. He seemed… rattled.”

“Maybe he’s still shaken from the robbery,” Isabella said quietly. Her eyes were still on Alexander.

“Or maybe,” Alexander said, setting down his glass, “he finally realized he’s been playing a game he doesn’t understand.”

Vivian frowned. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

Alexander stood. “Excuse me. I need some air.”

He walked out of the dining room, leaving a stunned silence behind him.

In the hallway, he found Viktor leaning against the wall, breathing hard. The man looked like he was about to have a panic attack.

Alexander stopped a few feet away.

Viktor’s head snapped up. His eyes went wide.

“You—”

“Careful, Mr. Romanov.” Alexander’s voice was low. Dangerous. “Royalty has long memories.”

Viktor pressed himself against the wall. “I didn’t know—”

“You didn’t need to know. You just needed to keep your fucking mouth shut and stay away from my wife.”

“Your uncle—”

“My uncle sent you to infiltrate this family. I know. You’ve been reporting back to him for months. Every dinner. Every conversation. Every detail about the Circle of Crowns.” Alexander took a step closer. “But here’s what you don’t know. I’ve been letting you. I’ve been feeding you information. And now? Now my uncle thinks he has the upper hand.”

Viktor’s breath came in short gasps. “What do you want?”

“I want you to go back to that dinner. I want you to smile. I want you to pretend everything is fine. And then I want you to leave this family alone. Permanently.”

“And if I don’t?”

Alexander leaned in close. Whispered in his ear. “Then everyone in that dining room learns that you’ve been working for a dictator who’s laundering money through their charity gala. And when they find out? They’ll bury you.”

Viktor’s knees buckled.

Alexander straightened. Adjusted his jacket. “We clear?”

“Y-yes.”

“Good.” Alexander turned to walk away. Paused. Looked back. “Oh, and Viktor? That bank robbery? I was the one who stopped it. So you know exactly what I’m capable of.”

He left Viktor trembling in the hallway.

When Alexander returned to the dining room, the entire table looked at him expectantly.

“Where’s Viktor?” Vivian asked.

“He left. Said he wasn’t feeling well.”

“But he didn’t even say goodbye—”

“He was in a hurry.” Alexander sat back down. Cut another piece of steak. “Something about urgent business.”

Vivian looked confused. Marcus frowned.

But Isabella was watching Alexander with a look he couldn’t quite read. Not suspicion. Not fear.

Recognition.