The Villain Mom Awakens — Going Viral by Parenting on a Reality Show-Chapter 377 - 376: Light at the End of the Tunnel

Laura Grant’s eyes narrowed slightly, as if she already anticipated something. The smile on her lips faded completely. "Director Grant, if you have something to say, just say it. There’s no need to beat around the bush."

Paul Grant sighed, his grip on the cup slowly tightening.

"I was hesitant to come here, unsure if it was the right thing to do. As for this collaboration, I am truly sorry..." Paul Grant’s face was filled with remorse as he lowered his head slightly. "I’m so sorry, but I have to go back on my word. I’ve already chosen someone else for the female lead, so I’m afraid I can’t honor our agreement."

Naomi Kenway’s gaze grew cold, but she kept a smile on her face. "May I ask why?"

"I’m sorry." Paul Grant was clearly unwilling to answer.

Laura Grant was seething. Her voice turned cold. "My artist turned down a lot of other work to prepare for this film, and at the last minute, you just brush us off with a ’sorry’? You won’t even tell us the real reason. Aren’t you just playing us for fools?"

Paul Grant could only repeat his apologies. "I’ll come and make a formal apology in person some other day. But as for the female lead... I’m afraid..."

He changed tack. "Nicole is a very talented actress. I’m sure we’ll have opportunities to work together in the future."

"I don’t think so. We have no desire to repeat such a terrible experience." Laura Grant was clearly furious. She stood up and glanced at Naomi Kenway. "Nicole, let’s go."

Naomi Kenway picked up her bag and looked at Paul Grant. "Director Grant, would you mind telling me which actress you’ve decided on?"

Paul Grant’s gaze flickered. "Jeanette Kensington."

A flash of understanding and coldness crossed Naomi Kenway’s eyes.

*

Laura Grant stomped on the accelerator, her voice laced with anger. "Paul Grant was clearly just playing us for fools. It’s a shame it was only a verbal agreement, otherwise I’d make him pay for breach of contract!"

Naomi Kenway sat in the passenger seat, her gaze lowered, lost in thought.

"I remember now, that Jeanette Kensington... she’s your family’s illegitimate daughter, isn’t she?"

Naomi Kenway hummed softly. "That’s her." 𝐟𝐫𝕖𝗲𝘄𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝕧𝐞𝚕.𝕔𝕠𝐦

"Something about this doesn’t feel right. How did she manage to snatch such a great role? Paul Grant isn’t someone motivated by fame or money, so he wouldn’t be easy to bribe. What on earth did Jeanette Kensington do to get her hands on that part? And Paul Grant wouldn’t even say... It’s a real headache."

As she recalled Jeanette Kensington’s past actions, Naomi Kenway’s eyes grew darker. Suddenly, she took out her phone.

"What are you doing?" Laura Grant asked.

"Pulling some strings to have Jeanette Kensington replaced."

"But..." Laura Grant stopped the car. "I don’t think that’ll work. Like I said before, Paul Grant isn’t the kind of director who can be bribed."

"Then we’ll replace the director."

Laura Grant nodded in approval.

Before Naomi Kenway could send the message, her phone rang, interrupting her. It was an unknown number from Veridia.

"Hello?"

"May I ask if this is Ms. Naomi Kenway?" an aged voice asked from the other end. He coughed twice. "My name is Anson Colt. I have a film I’d like to discuss with you. I was wondering if you might have some time?"

"Anson... Mr. Colt?"

Naomi Kenway was almost certain she had misheard, but the voice coming from the phone was unmistakably Elder Colt’s, sounding almost exactly as it had a few years ago.

Because she was sitting so close, Laura Grant also heard the voice from the phone’s earpiece. She froze for a couple of seconds before reacting, her face a picture of disbelief.

Anson Colt was a nationally renowned veteran artist and director who had been awarded a national medal of honor three years prior. Every film he had ever directed was a classic, and any actor fortunate enough to land a leading role in one of his movies was now an A-list star.

He had not been active in the entertainment industry for a very long time. Twenty years ago, the media reported that his only family member, his beloved daughter, had passed away from depression—the tragedy of an elder burying their child. Shortly after the turmoil subsided, Elder Colt announced his retirement from the entertainment world. He had lived in seclusion ever since, rarely appearing in public. He had created one classic after another and was a defining part of countless people’s youth. Many had lamented the tragic news, and to this day, his die-hard fans still hoped for Elder Colt to make a comeback.

"It is I," Anson Colt’s voice replied, aged yet kind. "If you’re willing, you could come to my estate at two this afternoon to talk. I’ll have my assistant, Martin, send you the address."

Even after hanging up, Naomi Kenway still hadn’t snapped out of her daze. She stared at her phone, where the call had just ended, in utter disbelief.

Laura Grant sucked in a breath. "That’s not a scam call, is it?"

DING. A text message arrived.

Seeing Naomi Kenway open her phone, Laura Grant didn’t forget to add a warning, "If there’s a link, whatever you do, don’t click it."

It was no wonder Laura Grant was suspicious; it sounded exactly like a phishing scam. A legendary figure, retired for years, suddenly calling to offer a collaboration.

Naomi Kenway examined it carefully. "The address here looks real..."

Laura Grant leaned over to look, unable to contain her excitement. "Could it really be Elder Colt?" After a moment of calm consideration, she said, "Let’s go check it out this afternoon. We’ll bring a couple of bodyguards."

Naomi Kenway nodded in agreement. She deleted the message she had been about to send.

’If Jeanette Kensington loves to steal things, then let her. I’ll just have to prove with my own abilities that no matter what she does, she’ll never be able to catch up to me. She will always be the one I defeat.’

*

Following the address from the text message, Naomi Kenway and Laura Grant quickly found the location.

The security guard at the gate saw Naomi Kenway and hurried over. "You must be Ms. Kenway? Please wait just a moment, I’ll call Elder Colt right away."

Less than two minutes later, a butler in a tuxedo approached gracefully. He bowed low. "Elder Colt is waiting for you inside. Please, follow me."

The reality of the situation began to set in for Naomi Kenway. She exchanged a look with Laura Grant, and they could both read the shock and delight in each other’s eyes.

Naomi Kenway gave a slight nod. "Thank you."

The reception hall featured classic Chinese decor. Trails of fragrant incense curled through the air. An old man dressed in a white-and-gold Tang suit sat on the floor with his back to them, and they could just make out his flowing white beard.

"Please come in. Elder Colt is waiting for you both inside."

"Thank you."

Hearing the noise behind him, Anson Colt turned around. He poured two cups of tea himself. "Please, sit."

Naomi Kenway and Laura Grant took their seats. As soon as Naomi put down her bag, she saw Anson Colt staring at her from across the table without blinking. His eyes were moist, as if he were seeing someone else through her.

Naomi Kenway’s heart stirred. The white-haired man had suddenly shed tears, and she was at a loss. "Elder Colt?"

Anson Colt took out a handkerchief, covered his mouth, and coughed twice while clutching his chest.

Laura Grant asked, "Elder Colt, are you all right?"

Anson Colt took a sip of tea. He closed his eyes for a moment before opening them again.