The Villain Mom Awakens — Going Viral by Parenting on a Reality Show-Chapter 150: Adding Fuel to the Fire

"Naomi, I think you need to get some proper rest. I’ve already had the housekeeper arrange for your leave."

"But I’ve already recovered. I don’t think I need to rest anymore."

Ethan Shaw tilted his head slightly, his gaze shifting to Naomi. He really couldn’t understand why she was pushing herself so hard.

"Naomi, you should focus on getting better first. I don’t want you to pass your germs on to me," Ethan Shaw said before pushing the door open and walking out.

Perhaps because she was still recovering, Naomi’s mind felt a beat slower than usual. She belatedly realized something was amiss. What Ethan said was contradictory. If he was afraid of catching her illness, then he shouldn’t have been sleeping in the bedroom.

’Could he actually be worried about me?’

An image of Ethan’s gaze, as cold and distant as ever, flashed through her mind, and Naomi doubted it once more.

The phone rang. When Naomi saw the call was from Ruby Preston, she answered immediately.

"Nicole, how are you feeling?"

Naomi smiled and said, "I’m much better now. Thank goodness Hazel Preston took me to the hospital."

"It was nothing, but you really gave me a scare. Since you’ve taken time off, just rest up at home for a few days. We can focus on filming Hugh Chandler’s scenes when you’re back."

Naomi was about to say she didn’t need the rest when a wave of fatigue washed over her. ’Is this a lingering side effect?’ she wondered. Showing up in poor condition would only delay the shoot for everyone else, so Naomi nodded slightly. "Thank you, Hazel Preston."

After hanging up, Naomi closed her eyes to rest for a bit. A short while later, a maid tiptoed in with her breakfast. Naomi had no appetite, but the thought that Ian would be eating downstairs was enough to get her out of bed and head down.

Naomi sat at the dining table, with Ian Shaw across from her. Ian was young, but his fingers were nimble. He stood on a stool to pour Naomi’s milk and peel her egg, turning the tables and making her the one being cared for.

Naomi took the breakfast Ian lovingly offered, her face wreathed in smiles. "Thank you, Ian. Mommy’s little boy is such a sweetheart."

Ian’s little face flushed. He picked up his milk and took a sip.

A nutritionist specially designed Ian Shaw’s meal plans to ensure a balanced diet. But Ian was a picky eater and disliked many nutritious vegetables.

He stared at the carrots in his bowl, completely unwilling to touch them. When he finished eating, they were still sitting in his little bowl.

Nanny Warren, one of the family’s long-serving staff, doted on Ian Shaw as if he were her own grandson. Seeing the leftover carrots, she coaxed him, "Ian, you still have carrots left. You need to eat them all."

Ian had already put down his chopsticks and shook his head. "I’m full."

The nanny standing nearby also chimed in, "Good boys don’t waste food. You have to finish your carrots, Ian. You’re such a big boy, you can finish them in no time, can’t you?"

Ian hesitated, picking up his chopsticks and a carrot slice. Just a second before it reached his lips, he frowned and put the carrot back in his bowl.

Nanny Warren watched, her heart in her throat. She sighed. "It’s just one bite."

A moment later, the nanny came over holding a plate of freshly baked pastries, still steaming and fragrant.

"If you don’t want to eat the carrots, fine. Come have some cookies."

"I’m full."

The nanny insisted, "Just have two."

Nanny Warren added, "You need to eat more to grow big and strong."

Ian had just picked up a cookie when he sensed something was wrong. He scrunched up his little face and put the fragrant cookie down. "I don’t want it! It tastes like carrots, and I don’t want to eat carrots!"

Nanny Warren sighed. "Ian, why must you be so difficult?"

Naomi, who had been watching from the side, spoke up. "If Ian doesn’t want to eat it, then let it be. Don’t force him."

Ian looked over, his big eyes sparkling.

Nanny Warren was taken aback. "But Madam, a balanced diet is what’s best for his health. This picky eating needs to be corrected. He’ll get used to it if he just tries it a few more times."

"Picky eating isn’t a major flaw. If he doesn’t like it, he doesn’t have to eat it. Carrots aren’t some irreplaceable superfood. Just replace them with other vegetables Ian likes."

Nanny Warren paused for a moment before nodding, though she inwardly felt that Naomi was being too indulgent with the boy.

Naomi called the housekeeper over and repeated her instructions. "Tell the nutritionist to follow my directions from now on."

The housekeeper nodded respectfully. "Yes."

Ian looked at Naomi with pure adoration, as if gazing upon a decorated hero. His expression made her laugh.

Naomi had wanted to take Ian to school herself, but she felt her strength give out the moment she stood up. In the end, she had the driver take him, reminding him to be careful on his way out.

Naomi didn’t go upstairs right away. She rested on the living room sofa for a bit.

Her phone rang, and Naomi answered.

"Hello?"

Jackson Kensington’s voice, full of rage, erupted from the other end of the line like a roaring lion. "The funds we agreed upon still haven’t arrived! What the hell is the Shaw Family trying to pull?!"

Naomi chuckled softly. "How should I know? You’ll have to ask Ethan about business matters like this. It’s not like you don’t know how strained my relationship with him is. He won’t even let me in the study. He’s always saying you’re..."

"Saying what about me?" Jackson demanded. "Ethan actually has a problem with me? I’m her elder, for heaven’s sake!"

Naomi laughed to herself. Her tone shifted. "He says you’re lazy and gluttonous, selfish and arrogant, just a ’phoenix man’ barely scraping by on the assets his late wife left him, a good-for-nothing sewer rat! He thinks his dealings with you are useless, that he’s just being bled dry."

A loud THUD came from the other end of the line, as if something heavy had been thrown to the ground, followed by the sharp CRASH of shattering porcelain.

"Bullshit!!" Jackson’s vulgar side was on full display as he started screaming curses, as if she had struck a very sore nerve.

The sound of a door being pushed open followed, and a gentle, middle-aged woman’s voice could be heard. "Jackson, please don’t be angry. We can discuss whatever it is. Didn’t the doctor tell you not to get so worked up?"

Jackson was panting with rage on the other end. "What does that little bastard Ethan Shaw know? Does he really think having a bit of stinking money means he can disrespect his elders and call the shots?! Just wait until the Kenway Group gets its strength back. I’ll destroy him! That arrogant little son of a bitch!!"

Naomi glanced around the room, then lowered her voice and said maliciously, "Dad, keep it down. Ethan is right next to me. He heard every word you just said."