The Villain Mom Awakens — Going Viral by Parenting on a Reality Show-Chapter 28: The Winner is Naomi Kenway

The group wandered for a while before finally finding another house, where the owner warmly welcomed them.

As they were leaving, the group thanked the owner. Suddenly, the elderly woman took Naomi Kenway by the hand. "Young lady, could you give me an autograph?"

Naomi Kenway was incredulous, pointing to herself. "Me?"

’My reputation is in the gutter. It’s a miracle I’m not being chased down by anti-fans. How could anyone possibly want my autograph?’

Chelsea Raines said, "Ma’am, I think you have the wrong person." She then eagerly clarified for the elderly woman, "This is the famous director, Ruby Preston. This is the award-winning actress, Margaret Jennings. This is the actress Renee Jennings, and I’m the host, Chelsea Raines..."

Ruby Preston and Margaret Jennings, whom she had just introduced, both looked awkward. Chelsea Raines’s actions were as good as a slap in Naomi Kenway’s face.

The elderly woman shook her head. "I want her autograph, Naomi Kenway’s."

The elderly woman smiled kindly. "My granddaughter loves that TV series you were in, *The Blue Scarf*. She’s a senior in high school this year, so she’s swamped with schoolwork. She’d be so excited if she knew I met you. I was wondering if you could possibly sign an autograph for me?"

As far as Naomi Kenway remembered, her performance in *The Blue Scarf* had been terrible. It was widely panned as soon as it aired. She never imagined someone would actually like her acting in it.

The feeling was exquisite, like being handed a piece of candy after a lifetime of drinking bitter medicine.

"Of course. Ma’am, where would you like me to sign?"

After they left the house, Chelsea Raines looked as if she were questioning her entire existence. "How could anyone li—"

Renee Jennings gave her a light pinch, and Chelsea Raines finally realized she shouldn’t be saying that in front of the cameras.

Back at the potato field, the guests said their goodbyes and returned to their own plots to continue digging.

Naomi Kenway walked ahead, holding her son’s hand. Suddenly, she felt something was off. She turned and, just as she’d suspected, saw Renee Jennings and her son.

"Why are you following us?"

"Nina, it took us so long to find lunch just now. I felt I should come over and thank you," Renee Jennings said, but her eyes kept darting to the potato plot behind Naomi Kenway.

She wanted to see how many potatoes Naomi had dug up.

"You give me too much credit. Finding lunch was a group effort."

Seeing the look in Renee’s eyes, Naomi instantly understood her goal. Naomi chuckled and teased, "You can’t see clearly from that far away. Why not get a little closer and try again?"

Renee Jennings’s face flashed with embarrassment at being called out. "Nina, I think you’ve misunderstood. It’s just that... Nathan’s Ultraman card fell somewhere around here. He really treasures those cards, so I have to come find it."

Naomi Kenway gave her a sidelong glance. "Suit yourself."

Renee Jennings’s plan had succeeded, but she felt a sourness in her heart. She couldn’t shake the feeling that Naomi had seen right through her, and it was an awful sensation.

Renee Jennings pretended to look down for the card, but she was actually sizing up Naomi’s potato plot.

’How does it look like... she’s dug up more potatoes than I have?’

Renee Jennings clenched her fists. She couldn’t stay a moment longer. Grabbing Nathan Lynch by the hand, she hurried back toward her own plot.

"Nina, I found the card! We’ll be heading off now!"

Naomi Kenway didn’t even bother to glance at her, simply continuing with her work.

*

Renee Jennings raced back, frantic. Nathan Lynch cried out, "Mommy, I can’t keep up! I’m so tired!"

Renee Jennings cursed inwardly before scooping him up and continuing to run. The sight was actually a bit comical.

Whether it was due to her anxiety, Renee Jennings’s digging grew slower and slower, and she gradually started running out of steam.

Renee Jennings pinched her arm hard, which jolted her back to her senses. Haste makes waste, as they say, and Renee damaged several potatoes with her shovel, but she couldn’t worry about that now.

Seeing Nathan Lynch playing in the shade, an idea struck Renee Jennings. She hurried over to him. "Nathan, can you come help Mommy? There are so many potatoes, I’ll never finish digging them all! If we don’t complete the task, we won’t be able to go home and see Daddy!"

Nathan Lynch was happy to help his mother. "Don’t worry, Mommy, Nathan will help you! I was with Nao—" Remembering what his mother had said, Nathan paused. "I already learned how to dig potatoes. I can definitely help you!"

Renee Jennings hugged Nathan and gave him a kiss on the cheek.

"You’re such a good boy."

For a fleeting moment, Renee Jennings felt guilty about making a child help her under the hot sun. ’But then again,’ she thought, ’the only reason Naomi could dig her potatoes so fast was probably because she had Ian Shaw’s help. So this... isn’t going too far...’

*

「At five in the afternoon.」

The potato-digging challenge was over. All the guests returned to the village entrance to await the results.

Margaret Jennings dusted the dirt from her hands, pressing a hand to her lower back. "I’m exhausted. I haven’t done this kind of hard labor in ages."

Carina Sanders reached out with her little hands to rub her mother’s back. "You worked so hard, Mommy! Carina will give you a massage!"

Margaret Jennings smiled and ruffled her hair. "You’re such a sweetheart. How did Mommy’s little Carina get to be so thoughtful?"

Carina Sanders giggled. "I’m going to learn how to give massages when we get home. That way, I can help you relax whenever you’re tired."

Ruby Preston looked exhausted, too. She glanced at Naomi Kenway beside her and was surprised to see that she still seemed to have plenty of energy.

’She probably didn’t dig many potatoes, did she? How is she going to get home, then?’

"Nicole, how did the potato digging go for you?"

Because her impression of Naomi had changed, Ruby Preston’s way of addressing her had also changed.

"I didn’t finish," Naomi said, a little dejected. But she had done her absolute best, so she had no regrets.

’Really, as long as I’m not riding in the donkey cart, any other outcome is fine.’

Renee Jennings was standing nearby, and her heart leaped with joy when she heard this. Naomi hadn’t finished, but she had.

To be on the safe side, Renee Jennings went and asked the other guests, and they all gave her the same answer as Naomi.

’Looks like first place is mine for the taking.’

"Renee, what about you?" Chelsea Raines asked.

Renee Jennings suppressed her delight. "I was a little luckier. I finished all of them."

Chelsea Raines looked astonished. "There were so many potatoes, and someone actually managed to dig them all? Renee, you’re incredible! Looks like the private car ride is definitely yours."

Renee Jennings gave a modest smile.

"You’ve all worked so hard, and the crew and the audience at home have all seen your effort. Is everyone tired?" the host asked with a smile.

The guests barely had enough energy to speak. "Exhausted."

"We’re exhausted after just one afternoon, but this is the villagers’ daily life, and it’s often even more grueling. It really makes you appreciate where every single meal comes from."

"And now, for the moment you’ve all been waiting for. I will now announce the winner of the private car service—"

"Naomi Kenway!"