The Villain Mom Awakens — Going Viral by Parenting on a Reality Show-Chapter 151: Chloe Murray

The other end of the line fell dead silent. The sounds of shouting and crashing seemed to hit a pause button.

Jackson Kensington gritted his teeth. "Naomi Kenway, why didn’t you say so earlier..."

He was panting heavily, clearly furious. "You stupid..."

Beside him, Lorraine Warren’s voice grew panicked. "Jackson, let’s talk this out calmly. I know you’re drunk, but you can’t just go on a rampage and curse at Nicole!"

She snatched the phone from Jackson Kensington. "Nicole, your dad’s drunk. You and Ian can’t take his nonsense to heart. He talks about you two every day, hoping you’ll come back for dinner. Nicole, please don’t misunderstand him."

"They say people speak the truth when they’re drunk."

Lorraine Warren’s voice instantly filled with panic. "That’s not true! There’s no scientific basis for that, it’s not true!"

Jackson Kensington sobered up a bit, his voice softening considerably. "Dad was drunk and confused for a moment. Apologize to Ethan Shaw for me, and tell him not to take it to heart. Come over for dinner when you have time. I have a lot of good wine in my cellar."

"I’m sick," Naomi Kenway said, feeling a dull ache in her head.

Jackson Kensington paused for two seconds. "I’m not a doctor. If you’re sick, take some medicine. The Shaw family can’t possibly be without a single doctor. Naomi Kenway, did you hear what I just said?"

Naomi Kenway couldn’t help but laugh. ’How ridiculous of me,’ she thought. ’Maybe being sick makes you fragile. To think I actually expected to get any sympathy from this heartless father.’

Another set of footsteps approached, followed by Jeanette Kensington’s cute and playful voice. "Mom, Dad, what do you think of my outfit? Do I look good?"

Jackson Kensington quickly replied, "Beautiful, beautiful. Jan looks good in anything. After we finish up here, we’ll go with you to see Caleb’s art exhibition."

He put the phone back to his ear. "Naomi Kenway, remember to unblock my number. It’s embarrassing to even talk about. And remember to apologize for me. Don’t let Ian get the wrong idea."

Naomi Kenway let out a cold laugh. "Don’t you have your good daughter Jeanette Kensington? Make her do it for you!"

With that, she hung up and blocked the unfamiliar number again.

*

The BEEP BEEP BEEP of the disconnected line sounded. Jackson Kensington was so furious he was practically jumping up and down. He SLAMMED the phone onto his desk. "The nerve! The absolute nerve! I think Naomi Kenway is getting too big for her britches. She doesn’t listen to a word I say anymore! Stupid and foolish! How did I get so unlucky to have such a bastard of a daughter?!"

Lorraine Warren, her hair in an exquisite bun, thoughtfully rubbed his back. "Jackson, don’t be angry. Nicole is just too naive and easily used by others. She’ll come around after a while."

"Naive? She’s just stupid! Siding with outsiders... does she really think she’s one of the Shaw family now?!"

Jeanette Kensington, having understood what just happened, said worriedly, "Then what about our project? It was really low of Ethan Shaw to do this. If our funding is cut, we won’t be able to continue the project at all. We might even lose a huge amount of money."

Jackson Kensington collapsed into his office chair. "There’s nothing to be done. I can’t do anything..." He added irritably, "Then let’s lose the money! It’s not like we haven’t lost a lot these past two years anyway!"

Jeanette Kensington took out a handkerchief to dab at the corners of her moist eyes. "It’s all my fault. I was too rebellious, insisting on entering the entertainment industry to become a star. Maybe I should have just agreed to a marriage alliance. Then I could have helped Mom and Dad with their troubles."

Lorraine Warren stepped forward and pulled her into an embrace. "Silly child..."

Jackson Kensington added, "Jan, you’re already doing so well in the entertainment industry. You’re a big star, Mom and Dad’s pride and joy. How could Dad bear to let you enter a marriage alliance with some playboy you don’t even like? Dad just wants to see you happy every day."

Lorraine Warren nodded in agreement, gently stroking Jeanette Kensington’s hair.

"Dad, since the company is short on people, why don’t we let Caleb join? Besides art, he also studied finance in college. I’m sure he’ll make a real contribution once he’s in the company."

Jackson Kensington refused immediately. "No. I’ve said it before, unless he marries you, he can forget about ever setting foot in Kenway Group."

"Dad..."

"This is not up for discussion. Caleb Bishop hasn’t been willing to marry you for all these years. I’m a man; I understand him. That Caleb Bishop is very ambitious. Believe it or not, the moment he climbs high enough, he will absolutely abandon you." 𝚏𝕣𝐞𝗲𝐰𝕖𝐛𝐧𝕠𝕧𝚎𝚕.𝐜𝚘𝗺

"Impossible!" Jeanette Kensington retorted. In her eyes, Caleb Bishop was a man of ideals and ambition, talented and virtuous. He could never be the kind of person Jackson Kensington described.

Jackson Kensington sighed.

Lorraine Warren also said, "Your father and I would never do anything to harm you."

"You don’t love me at all!" Jeanette Kensington stormed out, slamming the door and leaving Jackson Kensington and Lorraine Warren staring at each other in dismay.

*

As that specific day drew closer, Naomi Kenway’s mood visibly plummeted.

She would often find herself in a daze, her dreams filled with the face and voice of Rose Kenway. Those soft, warm hands had led her through many seasons, only to be abruptly withdrawn just as she was beginning to grow up. And so, she had to get used to growing up without the shelter of those wings.

Naomi Kenway began to suffer from insomnia more frequently, as she was constantly thinking of the relative who haunted her dreams.

After an examination, the doctor said her psychological stress was too high and that she needed to find a way to relax.

A call came in from overseas. When Naomi Kenway saw the name, she fell into a brief trance.

Chloe Murray. She was arguably Naomi’s closest friend. They had grown up together, what you’d call childhood friends, and because of their similar family backgrounds and shared interests, they had been extremely close since they were little.

For the past two years, Chloe Murray had been sent abroad by her family to gain experience. Their relationship was a strange one; neither of them had a clingy personality, so even if they didn’t talk much, their bond never faded.

"Hey, darling, good morning." Her voice was like it had been seared by smoke, raspy and somewhat sexy.

Naomi Kenway was slightly taken aback. "Good morning."

"I’m coming back to the country soon. I wonder if that counts as good news for you?"

Naomi Kenway raised an eyebrow. "Of course. That’s absolutely fantastic news."

Chloe Murray was amused by her exaggerated tone. "I’ll bring you a gift when I get back, I guarantee you’ll like it. Oh, and I’ll grab something for that little brat, too."

Naomi Kenway smiled. "Okay. I’ll be waiting."

Chloe Murray was a deeply important friend to her. Perhaps because of their similar backgrounds, Chloe was completely different from the fair-weather friends who only clung to her for her money. She had never left, not even during Naomi’s most difficult times.

"Oh, right, one more thing. Did you get... the invitation? I mean the one from Jackson Kensington. The birthday invitation for that venomous woman, Lorraine Warren."