Substitute Wife for the Mafia King R18-Chapter 274: Going All Out

“Can you tell us more? Now you’ve really got everyone’s attention and we can’t wait to learn about this owner of the name,” another reporter quickly chimed in.

The prince seemed to hesitate a little as he continued smiling before he nodded his head. It felt like his impressive gray eyes were right in front of me and that our eyes met although he was just a figure displayed on the television screen.

“I’m thinking of naming this building after someone that I find very interesting and also impressive, but as I said, I think that I should get her permission first before any official naming,” the prince replied with his eyes staring straight into the camera.

“Can we take a wild guess, Your Highness? Is this lady that you’re referring to the one that you’re dating?” another reporter asked without missing a beat.

I felt my stomach churning into knots and I suddenly felt very restless. It seemed that Diana was quite excited by the sudden development because she began gripping my hand tighter than before.

“We’re not exactly dating. I think it’s more like I’m still trying to win her over, but it hasn’t been easy. I’m probably not doing a good enough job...” the prince replied before letting out a soft laugh.

Desmond surely looked and sounded so charismatic, and I wasn’t surprised when everyone laughed along with his little joke. By that time it had become plain obvious that he was talking about me.

“He’s obviously talking about you, right?” Diana said as she turned to stare at me with widened eyes.

“Can you believe this? The Crown Prince is about to name a building after our daughter!” My mother exclaimed to my father before turning to beam a wide smile at me that told me just how proud she was.

I couldn’t agree with her and I couldn’t see how this was any kind of achievement. If anything, I wondered what Desmond was trying to achieve by playing this wild card. Why did he have to go so far as to involve the public and even suggesting to name a building after me? It just felt so ridiculous and I couldn’t believe that something like this was happening.

“The prince is truly intelligent, I have to say. Dahlia, you’re very lucky that he is interested in you, and if I were you I would no longer act like a fool and appreciate the prince for what he has done for our family,” My father started lecturing me right away.

“What are you going on about?” I muttered darkly as I kept my eyes glued to the television screen where the prince was still addressing some questions.

“Can’t you see what the prince is doing? After closing that case against us, he is feeding the public with some exciting news so that they can move on and readily forget about it,” my father said with an approving nod of his head.

“Listen, the prince is still talking,” Diana pointed out as she hushed up everyone so that we could continue paying attention to what the prince was saying.

“I actually did something to anger her, so I guess I might be doing this as a way to make up with her,” the prince said before laughing lightly in response to one of the reporter’s questions.

I knew that he must be referring to that time when he had stolen a kiss from me so publicly at the event that we attended together. It was also true that I was no longer talking to him; however, he was wrong that doing something like this could make it up to me.

“That is so romantic and considerate of you, I am sure that she’ll be absolutely impressed,” the reporter said before the entire crowd started to applaud the prince as if his idea was one of pure genius. 𝘧𝓇ℯ𝑒𝓌𝑒𝑏𝓃𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘭.𝒸ℴ𝓂

My mother let out a squeal of delight as she also started to clap her hands. She looked like an overly excited little girl and that filled me with feelings of disgust. I glared at her in disbelief at how ridiculous she was acting.

“The official opening event for the school will take place in three days, so hopefully I will get a favorable answer before then so that the school will have a beautiful name,” the prince said before showing everyone a hopeful smile.

“Are you going to attend the official opening event together?” Another reporter asked a follow-up question.

“I sincerely hope so,” the prince replied with a warm smile.

It felt like I had seen and heard more than enough. Instead of talking to me directly, it seemed that Desmond had employed a mode of communication that I couldn’t possibly ignore.

“Enough of this,” I muttered as I reached for the remote controller and switched off the television.

“You’re right, enough of that!” My father exclaimed with pure satisfaction before he clapped his hands together as if he also thought that the prince’s actions were admirable.

They’re impressed reaction only added fuel to the fire of anger that had started burning inside of me. I narrowed my eyes as I continued staring at the now darkened television screen.

What is Desmond up to this time?

“This is unbelievably good news. It is such an honor to have a building named after you. I have never been more proud of you,” my mother said with her voice shaking with emotions.

“That’s right. I know that things must have been difficult for you, but I can see that you’re finally coming around, Dahlia. Now that you are in the good grace of His Highness, surely only good things will continue to come our way,” my father said with confidence.

The two of them went on and on to shower me with compliments that sounded so alien and unfamiliar to my ears. They’re sincere words of compliment sounded so poisonous to my ears that I hoped that they would be insincere instead. It was probably the first time in my life that my parents openly showered me with praise and words of love and appreciation. Although I should have been touched by their words, I couldn’t feel anything but hatred and deep disgust.

–To be continued...