The Villain Mom Awakens — Going Viral by Parenting on a Reality Show-Chapter 107: This Is Definitely Synthesized

[I can’t believe Naomi Kenway’s acting is actually this good. She really was hiding her talent. Lindsay Woods is a real piece of work. She took such a promising actress and turned her into someone despised by the entire internet.]

[Good thing Naomi Kenway got away from her early, before that vampire Lindsay Woods could suck her dry. Looking forward to Nina’s new movie!]

[Lindsay Woods is the internet’s favorite scapegoat, huh? You people will really believe anything Ms. Kenway says? If Naomi Kenway was just pretending to be a bad actress all this time, then I think she deserves an Oscar... Audition videos can be edited. We’ll see what Naomi Kenway’s skills are really like when the movie comes out!]

[What’s the person above so salty about? Where’s even a single trace of editing in these three clips? Our Nina doesn’t stand for baseless hate!]

...

The phone rang. Naomi Kenway answered it. "Lily?"

Laura Grant’s voice was as steady as ever. "It’s been handled. You can log into your social media accounts now. I imagine what you see won’t ruin your mood anymore."

"Okay," Naomi Kenway said, then asked, "How was it handled? The netizens seemed pretty worked up."

"I discussed it with the production team for *Youth* and we decided to release the audition clips. There’s no more convincing evidence than that. We timed the release perfectly. We didn’t stop the paid marketing accounts when they were spreading rumors everywhere. We waited until the controversy was at its peak, then released the clips to clear your name and build hype for the new movie at the same time."

Naomi Kenway nodded and smiled. "With you around, I barely have to worry about a thing."

"Since I took you on as a client, it’s my responsibility to look out for you. It’s supposed to rain tomorrow, so remember to bring an umbrella for the show. Also, I heard there might be an off-site guest on this episode. The production team is being very secretive about it, so we don’t know who it is yet. Nothing to be especially worried about, just be safe tomorrow."

After saying all that, Laura Grant hung up.

Naomi Kenway glanced at her watch. She went downstairs, about to head out, but a maid informed her that Ethan Shaw had already gone to pick up Ian, and that she should just rest at home.

Naomi Kenway paused for a moment before nodding.

*

Renee Jennings was closely monitoring the situation online. She had just stepped away to give Nathan Lynch his homework, but when she returned, she found the tide of public opinion had completely turned.

"How could this happen..." Renee Jennings furrowed her brow, her finger swiping relentlessly across the screen, so forcefully it seemed she might poke a hole right through it.

After watching the audition clips released by the *Youth* production team, Renee Jennings couldn’t remain calm. Her eyes flickered with shock and disbelief.

"This has to be fake!"

She yelled with conviction, then stormed out and headed straight for Nathaniel Lynch’s study.

Nathaniel Lynch was an avid reader. Outside of his acting work, he spent most of his time holed up in his study.

The doorknob was twisted open roughly. Nathaniel Lynch frowned instinctively. ’Who could be so rude?’

The next moment, Renee Jennings walked in. She was wearing a pristine white dress, her eyes were slightly red, and her pitiful, vulnerable appearance made Nathaniel Lynch’s anger instantly vanish without a trace.

Nathaniel Lynch shot to his feet. "What’s wrong? Who bullied you, Rachel?"

Renee Jennings’s voice was thick with tears, her tear-streaked face a moving sight. "Nathaniel... Naomi Kenway is just too outrageous!"

Nathaniel Lynch felt a headache coming on at the mention of that name. For some reason, Renee Jennings seemed to have it out for Naomi Kenway lately.

But looking at the tears on Renee Jennings’s cheeks, Nathaniel Lynch felt his heart ache more than anything. He pulled a tissue from the box on his desk and carefully dabbed at her face. "Don’t cry, Rachel. How did Naomi Kenway bully you?"

"The role of H-Hugh Chandler was mine, but Naomi Kenway used some dirty trick to conspire with the director and snatch it away. I just can’t swallow this. Thankfully, a lot of kind netizens spoke up for me, but..." Renee Jennings clenched her fists, her immense frustration obvious.

"The public outcry is big enough that the production team might recast the role. Isn’t that a good thing, Rachel?"

"How is that a good thing?!" Renee Jennings huffed, pushing his hand off her shoulder. "The production team released the videos from the audition... I—Anyway, I don’t believe Naomi Kenway’s acting is that good. They have to be doctored..."

Renee Jennings grabbed Nathaniel Lynch’s hand like it was a piece of driftwood. "Nathaniel, I don’t have enough connections in the industry. You must know some expert video editors. Can you ask them to help me find the flaws in the video?"

Renee Jennings was always delicate and obedient, like a dodder vine that lived only by clinging to him. She had occasional tantrums, but that didn’t affect Nathaniel Lynch’s fondness for her.

Renee Jennings’s demure, pleading demeanor gave Nathaniel Lynch a profound sense of accomplishment.

"I do know a few people. Wait here, I’ll contact them for you."

Only then did Renee Jennings relax, though she was somewhat repulsed by Nathaniel Lynch’s lukewarm attitude. Nathaniel Lynch was always at his best to her in front of cameras or when other people were around. The rest of the time, he was quite neglectful, and Renee Jennings had to constantly feign weakness to evoke even a shred of pity from him.

What followed was an aimless wait. Renee Jennings sat in the study, feeling extremely agitated.

Nathaniel Lynch called out to her. "Rachel, I’m craving that corn porridge you made for me last time. Could you make me some more?"

Renee Jennings’s response was dismissive. "I already gave the recipe to the housekeeper. I’ll go tell her now."

Nathaniel Lynch stopped her. "No, I only want to eat what you make." His eyes were full of longing. "I often read in my books about this kind of idyllic life I dream of. Having a virtuous and gentle wife cook for you is simply the most wonderful thing in the world. How could anything a servant makes compare to what you make?"

Even from a distance, Renee Jennings could almost smell the foul, sour stench of feudal decay wafting from the depths of his soul.

Renee Jennings forced a smile. "I’m happy to cook for you, too."

With that, she went downstairs.

When she returned, Renee Jennings was carrying a bowl of porridge. She placed it in front of Nathaniel Lynch, thinking that enough time had passed. "What did your friends say? Did they find proof of editing?"

Nathaniel Lynch slowly shook his head, his gaze heavy as he looked at her. "He said the videos weren’t edited."

Renee Jennings’s eyes widened. "How is that possible? Nathaniel, is this friend of yours unreliable?" she urged. "Let’s ask someone else!"

"I sent the videos to all of them at the very beginning. But they all said there’s nothing wrong with them..."

Renee Jennings felt dizzy, her delicate body swaying as if it might collapse.

Nathaniel Lynch quickly wrapped his arms around her. "Rachel..."

"H-how... How could this be..."

’I had already planned to contact the marketing accounts as soon as the analysis confirmed the videos were edited. But who could have guessed there was nothing wrong with them?’

’How could there be nothing wrong with the videos? Did Ruby Preston leak the audition material to Naomi Kenway beforehand? How else could she have performed so well? As for the other director who suggested another audition, he was probably in on it, too, following a script they all agreed on in advance.’