The Villain Mom Awakens — Going Viral by Parenting on a Reality Show-Chapter 98: Jealousy

[Luke Lowell: Cousin, what are you talking about? It’s Naomi Kenway’s audition video. What man?]

A screenshot was sent over, a red circle precisely framing the back of a man’s head.

[Ethan Shaw: Who is he?]

Luke Lowell had to watch the video several more times before he could confirm the back of the head belonged to Wayne Wyatt. When Luke Lowell was filming, he had zoomed in to focus only on Naomi Kenway. Wayne Wyatt had just flashed across the screen for less than half a second.

And yet his cousin had still managed to spot him with his Golden Crystal Fire Eyes.

[Luke Lowell: Cousin, that’s Wayne Wyatt, from the Wyatt Family. He was just helping my cousin-in-law run lines. Hahaha, you have no idea how hilarious he is when he tries to act. I know him too well, so it’s a little awkward watching him perform.]

Luke Lowell went on to share a few more amusing stories from the audition, but this time, the messages weren’t even marked as "read."

"What’s with him..." he muttered.

*

Ethan Shaw was still watching the video Luke Lowell had sent. He had never seen such an expression on Naomi Kenway’s face—shy yet delighted. And she was directing all of it at another man.

Reason told him it was just a normal part of acting, but the moment he closed his eyes, all he could see was Naomi’s face from the audition.

’Is Naomi’s acting really that good? Or was that her natural reaction? But she shouldn’t know Wayne Wyatt.’

A knock sounded at the door, and Liam Sherman walked in. "President Shaw..."

Ethan Shaw glanced at him. "Didn’t I tell you to knock three times before entering?"

Liam Sherman froze for a second, realizing he had probably knocked four times.

"My apologies, President Shaw..."

"Do it again."

Liam Sherman walked out with his folder and closed the door. He knocked lightly, strictly controlling the number of raps.

"President Shaw, may I come in now?"

"Enter."

Wiping the cold sweat from his forehead, Liam Sherman walked over. "Here are the project proposals awaiting your approval. Please take a look."

Ethan Shaw took them and glanced over them, but he was too agitated to focus. "Just leave them here for now."

"Yes, President Shaw..."

"Is there anything else?"

In all the years Liam Sherman had been by Ethan Shaw’s side, this was the first time he had ever seen him so irritable.

"No, nothing." Liam Sherman said, "I’ll let you get back to work. I’ll see myself out." 𝕗𝐫𝚎𝗲𝘄𝐞𝕓𝐧𝕠𝘃𝕖𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝚖

*

After the auditions concluded, the producer and several directors gathered to discuss the final results.

The second female lead was decided: the talented actress Shannon Summers. The second male lead was top star Luke Lowell. The third male lead was Reid Clementine Coleman, who had started as a child actor. As for the third female lead...

Ruby Preston slammed the script in her hand onto the table, a rare display of temper. "What is the meaning of this? Weren’t we set on Naomi Kenway? How did it suddenly become Faye Sheridan?!"

"Iris, please, sit down and calm down." The producer looked troubled. "I know Naomi Kenway’s performance in the audition was excellent, but our team is facing not just casting issues, but also funding problems. Faye Sheridan is a capable actress, and Mr. Grant specifically requested her for the role. If she’s cast, he’ll invest in our project. Faye is a solid performer with proven acting skills, so isn’t this killing two birds with one stone?"

"Besides, with all due respect, just because Naomi Kenway’s audition was good doesn’t mean she can maintain that level of performance throughout filming. After all, her actual abilities are... well, we all know..."

Zeke Sawyer cut him off. "We auditioned her for two scenes. Her performance was very consistent. There absolutely won’t be any problems."

Ruby Preston said coolly, "When you first invited me to be the head director of *Youth*, I told you then that I would be personally selecting Hugh Chandler. So what is this now? Are you deliberately trying to humiliate me?"

The producer looked conflicted. "Looking at the overall comparison, Faye Sheridan has more advantages. I hope you can be understanding, Iris."

A chair scraped harshly against the floor as Ruby Preston stood up. "It seems there’s nothing left for us to discuss. Naomi Kenway is the most suitable actress for this role. If you insist on changing the decision, then I see no reason to remain here."

Her tone was final, and the others at the table quickly tried to persuade her not to be rash.

The producer had a headache. "It’s just one Naomi Kenway, isn’t it? Why must you insist on fighting with me over this?"

"It’s not just about Naomi Kenway. If you’re not going to listen to my opinions from the very beginning, then I don’t think there’s any need for us to work together at all."

As she spoke, Ruby Preston picked up her bag and started to leave.

"Wait!" the producer called out to her. "I... I’ll listen to you."

Caught between a brilliantly talented director like Ruby Preston and the "optimal" choice who came with funding, the producer ultimately chose the former.

*

With the audition over, a huge weight was lifted from Naomi Kenway’s shoulders. She finally had some free time, and while Ian Shaw was doing his homework, she cooked dinner.

Ian liked Chinese food, so she made several of his favorite dishes. A child’s stomach is more delicate, so the food Naomi cooked was all relatively light in flavor.

Naomi took off her apron and was about to call Ian down when she saw the little tyke already hopping down the stairs before flying into her arms. "Mommy, Ian missed you so much!"

Naomi Kenway placed him on a chair and ladled some soup for him.

Ian said in his sweet, childish voice, "Thank you for your hard work, Mommy." Then he planted a big kiss on Naomi Kenway’s cheek.

The sound of footsteps made Naomi Kenway turn around to see Ethan Shaw. He was looking at her too, his expression unreadably complex.

"You’re back so early today?" Naomi Kenway asked, surprised.

As always, Ian Shaw happily threw himself into Ethan Shaw’s arms.

Ethan Shaw picked him up, his gaze sweeping over the dining table. There were only two bowls of soup.

"There’s more in the rice cooker. I just wasn’t sure if you’d like my cooking, so I’ll go..."

"I’ll get it myself."

Holding Ian Shaw with one arm, Ethan Shaw went to the kitchen and returned a moment later with a bowl of soup.

The family sat down, and Naomi Kenway’s eyes rested on Ethan Shaw. "My cooking is just average, not as good as the family chef’s. If you don’t like it, just have the chef prepare something else."

Ethan Shaw picked up his spoon and tried a mouthful of the soup. "It’s a little sweet."

Naomi made a small sound of understanding. "Oh. Ian likes sweet things."

Ethan Shaw’s mood soured, for some inexplicable reason.

He tried the other dishes. This was the first time he had ever eaten Naomi Kenway’s cooking, and the taste was very different from what he had imagined. Apart from that sweet soup, the other dishes were surprisingly suited to his palate.

Ian was already four years old and was very adept at using chopsticks, his cheeks puffed out like a little squirrel.

Naomi Kenway asked, "Is it good? It should be alright, right?"

’I learned to cook for Ethan’s sake, after all. The food should be to his liking.’

"It’s delicious."

Ethan Shaw was always objective in his assessments of everything, so it was rare for Naomi Kenway to hear him offer such praise.

After dinner, Naomi Kenway took Ian upstairs as usual to read him a bedtime story. Ian was very obedient and never made a fuss about sleeping; he drifted off within minutes.

When Naomi returned to the bedroom, Ethan Shaw had already washed up. He was sitting in his pajamas, reading a book. Sensing her presence, he looked up, and the first thing he asked was:

"Do you know Wayne Wyatt?"