The Villain Mom Awakens — Going Viral by Parenting on a Reality Show-Chapter 17: 2 Extremes

Jared Woods looked up in disbelief, his eyes filling with hurt as he stared at Chelsea Raines. "Mommy... I don’t want to! You promised I could have whatever I wanted!"

Chelsea Raines was seething with frustration, her only rational thought focused on protecting her public image. "I never said that. You’re the one being too willful."

Everyone’s gazes stabbed at her like needles. Chelsea Raines grew increasingly mortified, wishing she could find a hole to crawl into and escape the awful situation. "Hurry up, Jared! Apologize!"

It was the first time she had ever yelled at him so sternly and impatiently. Jared Woods’s eyes instantly welled up with tears. Forgetting what he had been so insistent about just a moment ago, he began to sob out an apology. "I-I’m sorry... I’m sorry..."

Hearing her son admit he was wrong, Chelsea Raines felt a sharp, needle-like pain in her heart. She usually doted on her boy and had never let him be wronged like this. Chelsea Raines gripped Jared Woods’s hand, her own eyes reddening. She led her son away in disgrace, her palm shielding the vicious expression on her face.

’Just you wait, Naomi Kenway!’

Renee Jennings watched Chelsea Raines’s retreating figure and wisely chose not to follow her.

’Impulsive, short-tempered, and brainless,’ Renee Jennings thought to herself.

The whole farce was finally over.

Margaret Jennings took Carina Sanders’s arm and asked with concern, "Carina, you weren’t hurt just now, were you?"

Carina Sanders shook her head. "I’m fine, Mom. Annie is so cool! He made that nasty Jared Woods cry!"

The girl’s voice was filled with adoration.

Margaret Jennings stroked Carina Sanders’s soft hair. "Is that so?" She glanced toward Naomi Kenway out of the corner of her eye.

’The internet is full of rumors about Naomi Kenway being neglectful and extremely irresponsible toward her own son. It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to call her a vicious mother. But then, the image of Naomi standing up for Annie just now resurfaced in her mind. That really didn’t seem like something an irresponsible mother would do.’

As if sensing her gaze, Naomi Kenway turned back and offered her a faint smile.

It was a beautiful smile, completely devoid of arrogance or hostility.

Margaret Jennings froze for a moment, then offered a small smile in return. ’Looks like you can’t judge a person based on what others say. There’s much more to Naomi Kenway waiting to be discovered.’

[How does Chelsea Raines even raise her son? Why is Jared Woods so rude? I know I shouldn’t be so harsh about a kid, but the things he was yelling were horrible!]

[OMG! I didn’t expect Annie to change like that. On the way to find ingredients, he didn’t fight back at all no matter how Jared Woods bullied him, he was so meek. But the second Jared insulted Naomi Kenway, Annie just snapped. His mom must be a really wonderful person in his eyes! Go, little warrior Annie!]

[Naomi Kenway is such a badass! This is the first time I’ve seen a good side to her. Even though her acting sucks and she’s a total drama queen, she genuinely protects her son. The way she shut down Chelsea Raines just now was so awesome!]

[Carina was protecting Annie the whole time. I’m crying! I love our spirited little princess of justice, Carina!]

[My opinion of Chelsea Raines just hit rock bottom. Her son bullies someone and she tries to shift the blame? Does she think we’re all blind?]

[Wait, to everyone praising Naomi Kenway, what if this is just another act? It’s not the first time she’s put on a show!]

...

Online discussion about the incident was mixed, but the majority of people were on Naomi Kenway’s side.

Soon, hashtags like #JaredWoodsAndIanShawClash, #ChelseaRainesShiftsBlame, and #NaomiKenwayBadassShowdown were trending.

Renee Jennings had no intention of getting involved in Chelsea Raines’s mess. She took the basket from Nathan Lynch, affectionately pulling out a handkerchief to wipe the sweat from his brow. "You’ve worked hard, Mona."

A smile spread across Nathan Lynch’s face. "I’m not tired, Mom! Quick, look! I found so many ingredients!"

Renee Jennings nodded, satisfied. "Oh? Let me see."

’I found the most ingredients out of everyone. Mom will definitely praise me!’

The basket was filled to the brim. Renee Jennings rummaged through it, her brow furrowing slightly. "Where’s the green pepper? Didn’t Mommy tell you to find ten different ingredients? Why are there only nine?"

’Of course, you didn’t need ten ingredients just to make steamed buns, but Renee Jennings also planned to make the knife-cut noodles that Naomi Kenway had drawn. When the time came, the comparison would show Naomi Kenway exactly what it meant to bite off more than she could chew!’

Nathan Lynch’s smile instantly vanished. He apologized instinctively, "I’m sorry, Mom. I forgot. I’ll be sure to remember next time."

He said it so quickly and fluently, as if reciting multiplication tables he had long since memorized.

"Nine will have to do. Mommy will see if she can borrow a green pepper from a neighbor."

Renee Jennings flashed a warm smile. "Let’s go, Mona. Let’s head home and get ready to cook!"

Staring at Renee Jennings’s familiar, gentle smile, Nathan Lynch found he couldn’t smile back. The moment she had shot him down, his own happiness had plummeted.

’I found more ingredients than any of the other kids, so why isn’t Mom satisfied? Am I still not good enough?’

Meanwhile, Naomi Kenway carefully held the bouquet of wildflowers in one hand. In the other, she carried the basket Ian Shaw had brought over; it felt a little light.

Ian Shaw kept his head slightly bowed, his tightly pressed lips betraying a hint of unease.

’I found so few ingredients. Is Mom going to be angry? I hate doing these tasks. I can’t do anything right.’

But then, a voice full of praise reached his ears. "Pork! And you even found flour and salt?" Naomi Kenway smiled. "Did Annie find all these ingredients in just this little bit of time? This is your first try, and Mommy believes you’ll do even better next time!"

Ian Shaw’s head shot up, a smile spreading across his face at the praise. "Annie will definitely try his best!"

He clenched his small fists, promising with newfound determination.

He no longer seemed to hate the idea of going out to do tasks as much as he had before.

As Renee Jennings led him past Naomi Kenway and her son, Nathan Lynch overheard Naomi’s praise and felt a pang of confusion.

’Why? Why did Ian Shaw get praise and encouragement for finding the fewest ingredients?’

He stopped walking, his gaze fixed on Naomi Kenway and her son, a look of envy and longing in his eyes.

Renee Jennings asked, confused, "Mona, what are you looking at? We need to hurry back. You still haven’t finished your math homework. You can’t afford to slack off, not even for a day."

Nathan Lynch turned his head, his expression distant. He looked at Renee Jennings and asked, "Mom, can you praise me, too?"

Renee Jennings looked completely baffled, then tried to soothe him. "Mona, what are you talking about? As long as you go home and do your homework well, you’re the best boy in the world!"

Nathan Lynch fell silent. He glanced back one more time in Naomi Kenway’s direction before letting Renee Jennings lead him away.

[They were both looking at the ingredients their kids brought back, but Renee Jennings’s and Naomi Kenway’s reactions were polar opposites!]