The Villain Mom Awakens — Going Viral by Parenting on a Reality Show-Chapter 143: Opening Ceremony

"Renee Jennings did incredibly well with her short videos before. Her success was inseparable from building a ’persona’ for her child. The more ’perfect’ the child is, the easier it is to attract fans. ’Perfect’ can mean many things, like perfectly smart, perfectly cute, or perfectly quirky. The point is to amplify their strengths and shape them into an image that the audience will love."

Naomi Kenway took a sip of her coffee and refused without hesitation. "There’s no need."

"I think you should still consider it. It would help both you and Ian gain a lot of fans. Ian is very cute, and besides his looks, we could have him perform a talent on the show to express himself. The company has agencies that specialize in training children. I’ve seen comments online from people saying Ian is too slow, and we need to refute them with facts."

"I don’t want to be so calculating. When it comes to my child, I just want him to be happy. Ian doesn’t need the constraints of these ’personas.’ I want him to be free to be himself," Naomi Kenway said faintly. "No one knows my child better than I do. Ian is very smart, and I don’t need validation from strangers. I don’t care what they think."

Laura Grant smiled slightly. "Alright. It’s a shame, but I respect your decision."

The company had many marketing methods like this that could rapidly increase a celebrity’s fanbase. ’Laura Grant hadn’t expected Naomi Kenway to refuse. It seems Ian is much more important to Naomi than she had imagined.’

"Thank you," Naomi Kenway said sincerely. She was grateful that Laura Grant wasn’t a dictator like Lindsay Woods.

"It’s nothing. In two days, you’ll be joining the cast of *Youth*." As she spoke of this, Laura Grant’s brows furrowed with worry. "This show is funded by Evergreen Media. Their company always likes to pull some strings to shove their own artists onto the cast, and their artists love to drag others down to build themselves up. You’d better be careful."

’Naomi Kenway recalled that Jeanette Kensington was also with Evergreen Media, but the official announcement hadn’t mentioned her being in the show.’

"Okay, I’ll be careful."

「 」

When the time came, Naomi Kenway arrived at the film set for the production launch ceremony and met many of her fellow cast members.

Jude Shepherd was a national film emperor. He had shot to fame across the country with a historical drama years ago, becoming a childhood idol for many. He was stern and rarely smiled, appearing very serious. He only gave Naomi Kenway a slight nod.

Yara Preston was a film queen. Now nearly forty, she was still as beautiful as a flower and had been dubbed the "Ageless Goddess" by netizens. She was wearing a costume from the show, her hair tied back in a neat ponytail. The look wasn’t out of place at all; she radiated youthfulness.

Facing Naomi Kenway, her expression remained a polite smile, but she kept her distance as if to avoid any association. In fact, it wasn’t just Yara Preston; many others around them seemed to have built-in radars, all maintaining a gap between themselves and Naomi. Naomi didn’t much care. ’I know I’m basically a pariah in this industry.’ 𝚏𝕣𝕖𝚎𝚠𝚎𝚋𝚗𝐨𝐯𝕖𝕝.𝕔𝐨𝕞

The actor playing the love interest to Naomi’s character, Theodore Rhodes, was a popular idol who was currently all the rage: Ryan Thorne. With his sharp brows and bright eyes, he was quite handsome, but he hadn’t given Naomi a single proper look from the very beginning.

When it was time for the group photo, Ryan Thorne, who was supposed to be standing next to Naomi Kenway, instead kept a one-meter distance from her.

Ruby Preston watched this and cleared her throat. "Ryan Thorne, are you planning to cross a river in that gap between you?"

Ryan Thorne shuffled a little closer, but only by about ten centimeters. ’This is a nightmare,’ he lamented internally. He had told his manager long ago that he wouldn’t take a role opposite Naomi Kenway, but his request was rejected. He was told this show was a major production and a rare opportunity. ’Naomi Kenway is so fake, and she loves to leech off other people’s fame. There’s no way I want anything to do with her.’ His fans were all the "girlfriend" type; if Naomi succeeded in starting some dating rumors, his career would be over.

Ryan Thorne’s resistance was written all over his face. Naomi Kenway watched him and let out a laugh. "Why do you keep blinking at me? Is your face twitching?"

Ryan Thorne’s expression soured even more. ’This woman really has no social skills, just like the rumors say,’ he thought.

Naomi Kenway took a step toward him. Ryan Thorne’s face went pale, and he took a step back. Finding this increasingly amusing, Naomi pressed her advantage, stepping forward again and enjoying the wonderful expression on his face.

Finally, with nowhere left to retreat, Ryan Thorne’s face flushed red as he demanded, "What do you think you’re doing?"

Naomi Kenway waved her hand, feigning innocence. "Aren’t we supposed to be standing together? Oh, my bad. I saw you moving toward the edge and thought it was part of the arrangement."

Ryan Thorne’s face alternated between pale and ashen.

Naomi Kenway let out a laugh, but her voice was cold. "You’re about to walk right off the stage. If you really don’t want to be here, the door is over there."

She pointed in that direction with a slender, pale finger in a very "helpful" reminder.

The people around them began to murmur amongst themselves.

Wayne Wyatt couldn’t stand to watch any longer and walked over from the far left. He only had a bit part in the show, but thanks to his famous parents, he was still included in the group photo for the launch ceremony.

He gave Ryan Thorne a push, easily sending him stumbling back half a step, nearly making him fall. "You really don’t know how good you have it."

After saying that, Wayne Wyatt moved closer to Naomi Kenway and whispered, "Goddess, long time no see."

Naomi Kenway froze for a second. ’I remember him—he was the one who did the scene with me at the audition. But when did I become his ’goddess’?’

Just the thought of his goddess standing right beside him made Wayne Wyatt’s heart pound, and his pale cheeks flushed slightly red.

Ryan Thorne stared at the blissfully happy look on Wayne Wyatt’s face and could only conclude that the guy was insane. Utterly insane.

’What kind of normal person would cozy up to Naomi Kenway? He’s definitely lost his mind!’

Wayne Wyatt raised his voice. "Hazel Preston, it’s pretty crowded where I was. Can I stand here?"

A crew member frowned. "This arrangement isn’t by the book."

"What’s not by the book about it? As long as everyone is in the picture, what’s the problem?" Wayne Wyatt retorted.

Ruby Preston finally nodded. "It’s close enough. Let’s just shoot it like this."

The camera flashes went off, and the group photo was finally over.

Naomi Kenway was about to leave when an excited Wayne Wyatt stopped her. The young man’s slightly long hair fluttered in the breeze. "Goddess, can you sign an autograph for me?"

Naomi Kenway hesitated for a moment before signing. She still wasn’t quite used to someone fawning over her so fervently.

"You can just call me Naomi Kenway."

"No way, that’s too disrespectful! ’Goddess’ sounds much better!"

Naomi Kenway didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. "Suit yourself."

After finishing up for the day, Naomi Kenway explained the situation to Ruby Preston and prepared to go home. The film set wasn’t far from her house, and besides, her son would probably be very disappointed if he didn’t see her.

As Naomi Kenway was getting her car, she unexpectedly ran into Renee Jennings. However, the other woman seemed to be injured and was walking with some difficulty.

Just as she was wondering why Renee Jennings was here, she saw Renee walk toward her with labored steps.