Chapter 879 Scandal Protagonist
Nora couldn't understand the local language, so Aisha translated for her.
The gist was to thank Tomas and Mateo for coming.
They'd help boost the area's development and construction.
Mateo got a special mention; this event was his idea.
Having just recovered from a serious illness, Mateo wanted to do something meaningful for the poor.
The crowd cheered, looking at Mateo with admiration.
The camera zoomed in on Mateo's face, his handsome features lit up with a friendly smile.
"Looks like King Tomas plans to give Prince Mateo a big role," Aisha said.
Nora nodded.
Mateo had been playing it cool for years, and now that he was strong, it was his time to shine.
The event aired on TV for just twenty minutes, but it made a big splash.
All the major local news outlets covered it.
Mateo quickly won the public's favor with his good looks and kind heart.
Everyone started to see Mateo as the likely next ruler.
The buzz continued into the next day when some news broke online.
At Hugo's villa, Nora and Aisha were having dinner with Millie.
Millie was chatting about school, sounding a bit reluctant to go.
Nora figured she wasn't used to life here yet and tried to comfort her.
Then Aisha suddenly said, "Prince Mateo is caught in a scandal."
Everyone looked at her, and Hugo asked, "What scandal?"
Aisha slid her phone over. "The news broke this morning. They say he fell for a married woman. There are pictures and chat logs."
Hugo quickly grabbed Aisha's phone. The headline was eye-catching.
#Shocking Royal Scandal: Prince Mateo, Just Recovered from Illness, Falls for a Married Woman!#
Hugo skimmed the article, seeing the photos and chat logs, his brows furrowed.
"Dr. Smith, the woman in the photos looks like you!"
Nora was stunned, confused. She never expected to be part of a royal scandal.
She quickly took the phone and glanced at it, feeling speechless.
The news had several photos.
There were shots of her entering and leaving Florence's house when she was treating her.
There were also photos of her and Mateo walking at Whispering Woods Resort when Mateo was injured.
And the chat logs were from her conversation with Mateo the day before yesterday.
How could this be!
Turned out, gossip wasn't just a Chrisland thing. It was everywhere!
Nora looked at the comments, and everyone was speculating about the woman in the photos.
Someone posted a comment.
[I know, this person is a doctor from Chrisland. She cured Prince Mateo's illness, so he fell for her.]
This comment quickly got upvoted.
Everyone was asking who Nora was.
Nora frowned. The person who leaked the photos and info knew a lot.
She suspected that it must be someone from the royal family again.
They failed to kill her last time, so now they were using a scandal to smear her and Mateo.
This was way more effective than killing her.
It wasn't illegal, but it hit two birds with one stone.
It damaged her reputation and ruined the good name Mateo had just built up.
The royal family sure had a lot of tricks up their sleeves!
Meanwhile, in the royal palace...
Someone reported the news to Tomas.
Tomas was livid after reading it.
"Investigate this! Find out who spread the rumor!"
"Yes, sir."
"Bring Mateo to me!"
"Right away!"
Soon, Mateo was brought before Tomas.
Tomas asked with a stern face, "Did you see the news?"
"I did," Mateo replied.
"Do you remember what you promised me?"
"I do."
Mateo said, "I promised to be mindful and not do anything that would damage the royal family's honor."
Tomas threw an object at him.
"You remember your promise, but can't you keep it?"
The object hit him, but Mateo didn't dodge.
"Dad, if someone wants to frame me, they can fabricate things even without these messages and photos."
Tomas knew this too. He was just venting his anger on Mateo.
After venting, Tomas sighed, "So, what do you plan to do to restore your reputation?"
Mateo was silent for a moment and then said, "What about you taking Dr. Smith as a goddaughter?"
Tomas was stunned. "Take her as a goddaughter?"
Mateo said, "Yes. I'll explain to the public that I'm grateful to Dr. Smith for curing me. I lacked motherly love since childhood, and she gave me care. My affection for her is like that of a brother for a sister, without any other feelings."
Hearing this, Tomas's expression softened a lot.
"Well, that's a good idea. Let's do as you say."
"Yes," Mateo responded.
Tomas was silent for a moment. "Who do you think is behind this?"
Mateo lowered his eyes. "Dad, you know best."
Tomas glanced at him, displeased. "Just say it, don't flatter me."
Mateo said, "Without evidence, I dare not speak recklessly, but the person who exposed my scandal at this time must be someone who doesn't want me to be liked by the public. And the only ones who don't want this result are my two brothers."
Mateo's thoughts were the same as Tomas's.
Tomas didn't ask further, "You may leave."
"Yes."
After Mateo left, Tomas smashed a crystal glass on the ground, his face full of anger.
"Go, bring Rafael and Miguel to me!"
Soon, Rafael and Miguel were brought before Tomas.
"Dad, you called for us?"
Tomas looked at Rafael and Miguel and asked sternly, "Is the news related to you?"
Miguel spoke first, "No, Dad, I swear. The news has nothing to do with me."
He was still injured, and Tomas glanced at him before looking away.
Miguel was rough and simple-minded. He could fight, but he didn't have the brains to come up with such a scheme.
Tomas looked at Rafael. "So it's related to you?"
Rafael quickly said, "Dad, I would never do such a despicable thing."
Tomas stared at Rafael for a long time before saying, "Don't think you can hide it from me forever. You can fight in the dark, but don't let me catch you. If I catch you, I will punish you according to the law, no mercy!"
Rafael and Miguel said in unison, "Yes, Dad."
"Leave."
"Yes."
The two turned and left.
Tomas looked into the void ahead and sighed.
Being born in the royal family meant endless strife.
He had paved the way for Mateo, and now it was up to Mateo's own abilities.
If he could overcome all obstacles, Mateo would succeed.
If not, it would be Mateo's fate.
Log in with Google Account
Chapters
Favorite
Settings
