The Villain Mom Awakens — Going Viral by Parenting on a Reality Show-Chapter 415 - 417: Model Mother

"I don’t want to be like this, either..." Jane Chandler said, tears silently streaming down her face. "My family went through such a major crisis. Generations of work were nearly destroyed. I just don’t want to repeat the same mistakes..."

Jane Chandler grew agitated and suddenly covered her face with her hands, as if she couldn’t bear it any longer. "What am I doing all this for? Isn’t it for our Shaw Family! It’s one thing for outsiders to look down on me, but how could you all..."

With a trembling finger, Jane Chandler pointed at Susan Hughes and Jenna Shaw. "You’re the people I love most in the world, so why do you have to treat me this way?!" She wiped away her tears with a bitter smile. "When I was a little girl, a fortune-teller said I was fated for a life of hardship. I refused to believe it back then, but now... isn’t it obvious?"

Jane Chandler’s crying was a pitiful sight, and Jenna Shaw looked on, unable to bear it. "Mom..."

"That’s enough. Stop playing the victim with me." Susan Hughes turned her head away, seemingly unwilling to look any longer. "There are plenty of people with hard lives in this world. But you? You drive luxury cars, live in a mansion, and have a legion of maids and bodyguards following you everywhere you go. And you still have the nerve to complain about how difficult your life is? Or are you trying to say that marrying into our family is what made you suffer? I detest this habit of yours, always blaming everyone but yourself. You’re usually soft-spoken, but on certain matters, you get fixated and refuse to budge. I wasn’t going to say anything. I figured as long as you managed your own life, it was fine."

"But I never thought you’d pin all the blame on others while taking all the credit for yourself. That couple and their child were living a happy life, yet you just had to meddle and try to break them up. And then you complain that your own son isn’t dutiful. Why do you think that is? It’s clearly your own vanity and hypocrisy, yet you accuse your daughter-in-law of hiding things on purpose? If you’ve truly worked as hard and contributed as much as you claim, how is it possible you don’t even know what your own grandson likes or what awards he’s won?"

"It’s true the Kenway Family has seen better days, but Nia has always been a good girl." Susan Hughes nodded, pleased. "If we were to really throw her out over her family’s status, how would the Shaw Family be any different from the kind of petty people who kick someone when they’re down? And how would you expect Ethan Shaw to maintain his footing in the business world? People would see him and think he’s a disloyal, untrustworthy, and dishonorable man. No one would be willing to do business with him!"

The rims of Jane Chandler’s eyes turned red, and she couldn’t utter a single word.

Jenna Shaw couldn’t bear it. "Grandma, maybe we should stop here for now. I don’t think Mom is feeling well."

Susan Hughes sighed and closed her eyes wearily. "Jane, I thought that since you and Nia went through similar hardships, you would show her more compassion. I never expected you to be so cruel... You talk on and on about how your relatives betrayed your family, kicking you when you were down, but how are your actions any different from what they did?!"

Jane Chandler shot to her feet. She couldn’t listen to another word. Covering her face, she rushed upstairs.

Jenna Shaw looked somewhat lost as she pulled her gaze away from the staircase. "Grandma..."

"She’s at an age where she ought to do some self-reflection." Susan Hughes let out a weary yawn. "If I’m not mistaken, your mother will definitely run to your father to complain. You just tell them that while Grandma may be old, she’s certainly got another ten years left in her. And as long as I’m still breathing, they had better stop making so much trouble! Otherwise..." She tilted her head back, closing her eyes. "Otherwise, they can just carry my body out of this house. Out of sight, out of mind."

*

Naomi Kenway had been receiving a lot of interview requests lately—not for entertainment programs, but for various educational talk shows.

She learned from her agent, Laura Grant, that she had apparently become a "model mom" and an "idol in the world of parenting." 𝐟𝗿𝐞𝚎𝚠𝐞𝚋𝕟𝐨𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝕔𝕠𝚖

The interviews all went smoothly, except she would always pause for a moment whenever the host asked one particular question.

The host would ask, "Ms. Kenway, how did you raise Ian to be so exceptional? Would you be willing to share some of your parenting secrets with us?"

"Normally, I’d be happy to," Naomi Kenway said, scratching her head with a smile. Her expression always softened whenever she thought of her son. "It’s just... I honestly don’t know how to answer that. In my opinion, his incredible growth has had very little to do with my help and much more to do with his own natural talent and interests. Rather than calling me a successful mother, it’s more accurate to say that I have an exceptional son. And what makes him exceptional isn’t his gift for scientific research or his high IQ. To me, he is exceptional just as he is. Even without all those dazzling accomplishments, he would still be the same sensitive, smart, and sensible boy in my eyes, and I would love him just as much."

The host held up the microphone. "So it’s an unconditional love, correct? No matter what, Ian will always be exceptional in your eyes?"

Naomi Kenway smiled and nodded. "My son’s ability to pursue his passions and achieve so much in his chosen field speaks for itself."

"Alright, one last question. How do you and Ian usually spend your time together, Ms. Kenway?"

"It’s pretty relaxed and natural, I’d say. I enjoy taking him to explore new things that pique his interest. Seeing his smile always brings me a great sense of fulfillment. Whatever he enjoys doing, I’ll do it with him. Life is short; you have to live in the moment."

"Wonderful." The host stood and shook Naomi Kenway’s hand. "Thank you so much for sharing so generously with us."

*

For the past few days, Ian Shaw had been all over the trending charts. Jeanette Kensington watched in a fury as the top spot she had secured for her new album was completely monopolized by him.

She picked up her phone and expertly dialed a number.

"Jeanette?! What a surprise! Why are you calling me all of a sudden? Did you miss me?" An ecstatic voice came through the phone.

"Why did my topic drop off the trending list? This is my first album release since coming back to the country—a solo album, no less! Don’t you know how important that top spot is? And you just let some wet-behind-the-ears kid snatch it from me?! Doesn’t your family run an entertainment company? How can you not even handle a simple thing like this? You’re useless!!"

Jeanette Kensington grew more furious with every word, her hand clutching the phone trembling with rage.

"Sweetheart, don’t be angry, please don’t be angry... I’d be heartbroken if you made yourself sick over this. I... Whoa, just let me explain. I noticed it as soon as it happened. The very first thing I did was call my contacts to boost your album’s trending score, but..." He stammered, "But..."

"But what?" Jeanette Kensington demanded, hands on her hips. "I’m dying to hear what excuse you’ve cooked up this time. Why are you suddenly stammering? Are you even a man?!"

"Hey now, the moment I paid to have Ian Shaw’s topic pushed down, someone else immediately threw money at it to send it right back up. I’m not one to lose a spending war, especially not when it’s for you, my love. But get this—I had my people look into it, and it turns out the person boosting his topic... is someone we absolutely can’t afford to mess with..."