The Villain Mom Awakens — Going Viral by Parenting on a Reality Show-Chapter 314: A Scheming Dad

Naomi Kenway paused when she heard the name. "...Caleb Bishop?"

"You know him?" Ethan Shaw asked, turning his head to the side.

The mention of that irritating name made Naomi’s expression darken slightly. "He’s Jeanette Kensington’s boyfriend. We saw them at the airport."

With these reminders, an image of the man began to form in Ethan’s mind.

Liam Sherman explained, "This Mr. Bishop is the representative sent by Helios. He’s been making a name for himself in the venture capital industry recently and is highly regarded by Helios’s President Dawson. He was promoted to Vice President in just two short years."

Naomi glanced at the contract. It only had the name "Caleb Bishop" with no other information. "Maybe it’s just someone with the same name. The Caleb Bishop I know is an artist."

As she spoke, Naomi continued to browse the trending topics on her phone. She swiped to refresh the page, a little surprised at how quickly Nathaniel Lynch had managed to get the topics about him removed.

Just a minute ago, the trending list was filled with posts about Nathaniel Lynch’s "male chauvinism." Now, they were completely gone. Searching for "Nathaniel Lynch" only brought up posts praising him. What was more interesting was that as soon as the topics about Nathaniel were taken down, a scandal involving Renee Jennings shot up the charts. The posts were about how Renee disrespected and distrusted Nathaniel. Some gossip accounts even compiled a "highlight reel of embarrassing moments" from her past show appearances.

With Nathaniel’s scandal gone and Renee’s inexplicably taking its place, it was hard not to wonder if Nathaniel had thrown Renee under the bus to shield himself.

A few minutes later, the scandal surrounding Renee escalated. Netizens on short-video platforms were relentlessly mocking and making fun of her. Naomi then knew that Renee’s scandal hitting the trending topics was almost certainly the result of Nathaniel’s careful manipulation.

A chill ran down Naomi’s spine, but she also found it laughable.

’Renee Jennings and Nathaniel Lynch couldn’t wait to be stuck to each other at all times, showing everyone just how in love they were. But now that trouble has struck, the image-conscious Nathaniel has pushed Renee out to face the public backlash.’

Ethan finished signing the contract. He asked, feigning nonchalance, "You seem to really hate that Caleb Bishop?"

"I do," Naomi admitted without hesitation, her eyes as cold as ice. "He and Jeanette Kensington are cut from the same cloth. Absolutely disgusting."

*

After dinner that evening, Naomi played with Ian and his Legos downstairs for a while.

A sound came from the doorway. It was Ethan, back home.

Ethan had gone to the office after coming home at noon and had only just returned.

"You’re back? Have you eaten?"

Ethan nodded, taking off his jacket and walking over. "Liam Sherman bought me dinner."

Ian Shaw let out two yawns in a row, his beautiful, big eyes looking misty.

Seeing he was sleepy, Naomi said, "Let’s put the toys away and go to sleep, okay?"

After they finished cleaning up and went upstairs, Ian tugged on Naomi’s sleeve. "Can I sleep with Mommy and Daddy? I’ll be very good. I won’t kick off the blankets."

Naomi paused, slightly taken aback. She asked, "Why don’t you want to sleep in your own room anymore, Ian?"

"I want to be with Mommy," Ian said. He still remembered his mother’s warm, fragrant embrace. As long as Mommy was there, he wouldn’t be scared even without his teddy bear, because Mommy would chase all the monsters away and protect Ian!

Ian Shaw blinked his big, earnest eyes and said in his sweet, childish voice, "I really won’t kick off the blankets. If monsters come, I’ll fight them off and protect Mommy. It’s so lonely in my room by myself..."

Naomi’s expression softened. ’Ian probably got used to sleeping in a big bed during our trip,’ she thought. ’Suddenly switching back to his own bedroom must be a difficult adjustment.’

Looking into Ian’s watery, pleading eyes, Naomi found herself unable to say no.

The next second, a stern voice answered for Naomi.

"No."

Ian’s head drooped in disappointment, but he continued to wheedle his mother. He knew who held the real power in this house.

Ethan strode over. He glanced down at Ian Shaw, who was trying his best to charm his mother, and felt a hint of exasperation.

’This kid is such a handful.’

"Ian, it’s normal to be scared for a little while. Once you get used to it, you’ll become braver," Ethan said.

"I don’t want to get used to it! I like being with Mommy..." Ian Shaw’s small hand tugged on Naomi’s sleeve, his voice thick with tears. He wasn’t crying, but his eyes were rimmed with red, making him look utterly pitiful.

This on-the-verge-of-tears look was devastatingly effective on Naomi. Just as she was about to give in, she heard Ethan say:

"Nina, I know you can’t bear to see him cry, but we have to teach him to be independent. Ian is a well-behaved boy, but that doesn’t mean all his requests are reasonable."

The memory of the three of them crammed into one bed last night was still fresh in his mind. He couldn’t even hold his wife properly.

Ethan’s gaze sharpened, and he said firmly, "We need to let him grow up and become independent. Being too dependent on his parents isn’t good for his development. I recall some popular terms these days, like ’mama’s boy’ and ’freeloader.’ Scientific studies show..."

As Ethan spoke, Naomi’s brows furrowed deeper and deeper.

Of course she didn’t want her son to grow up to be a weak, indecisive person!

Ethan’s words were a rude awakening, jolting her out of her stupor. He was right. This couldn’t continue. Over-indulgence was not conducive to Ian’s healthy physical and mental growth.

Ian Shaw, watching from the side, saw the change in Naomi’s expression. He sensed what was happening and whimpered pitifully in his childish voice, "Mommy..."

But Naomi wasn’t falling for it this time. She steeled herself and said earnestly, "Ian, your father is right. You have to slowly learn to be independent. Mommy believes in you. You’re such a brave boy, you’ll be fine sleeping by yourself, right?"

Dizzy with praise, Ian Shaw nodded.

*

「The next day」

Naomi was back on set, absorbed in filming. Her scenes were nearly finished. Occasionally, she had to work overtime for reshoots, but it wasn’t mandatory.

The assistant director came over and asked, "Ms. Kenway, I was wondering if you have some time? Julia Lynch, who was just in the scene with you, wasn’t in top form. We think it would be best to do one more take."

Naomi, still in her costume, thought for a moment. "I thought our booking for this location ends today?"

The assistant director nodded. "Yes, that’s right. If we try to reshoot tomorrow, it will probably be too late."

Naomi nodded. "Then let’s do one more take."

"Thank you for your hard work, Ms. Kenway." The assistant director repeatedly praised Naomi for being such a dedicated and professional actress.

Before the shoot, Naomi called home and told Nanny Warren she would be back a little late tonight, asking her to have dinner with Ian first.

Naomi wasn’t worried about Ian getting home from school. Ethan had said at noon that he would pick him up, and even if he couldn’t make it, the family driver would be there for him.