The Villain Mom Awakens — Going Viral by Parenting on a Reality Show-Chapter 152: Wreaking Havoc at the Birthday Banquet (Part 1)
On the other end of the line, Chloe Murray paused before cautiously mentioning a date.
Naomi Kenway’s eyes instantly turned to ice. Lorraine Warren’s birthday party was scheduled for the exact anniversary of Rose Kenway’s death. She distinctly remembered Lorraine’s birthday wasn’t on this day—it was supposed to be a few days later. Now, they had actually moved it up to fall on this particular date...
Chloe’s suspicion was confirmed. "So you didn’t know about this, did you? Jackson Kensington sent invitations to practically everyone in our social circle, hoping they’d show him some respect by attending Lorraine Warren’s birthday party. He plans to throw a huge celebration for her."
"How... wonderful," Naomi Kenway’s voice was utterly frigid as she forced the words out, one by one.
Chloe started cursing on the other end of the line, indignant on behalf of Naomi and Rose Kenway. "Jackson Kensington and Lorraine Warren have perfected the art of being shameless. It’s disgusting! How do those scumbags sleep at night? Do they have any self-awareness about where the money they’re spending is coming from?!"
Naomi let out a cold laugh. Her previously listless mood was instantly replaced by a surge of energy. Rage filled her chest, screaming for release.
She had never felt such an urgent impulse before. She wanted to slap Jackson Kensington and Lorraine Warren right across the face!
Chloe said, "My family’s being strict, so I can’t fly back for a couple of days. Wait for me. When I get back, I’ll make sure they get what’s coming to them!"
"Just take care of your own problems first," Naomi said, doing her best to keep her voice steady.
"Nina, what are you going to do?"
"Since they’re throwing a birthday party, I’ll be sure to give them a very special gift." Naomi chuckled, but a cold glint flashed in her beautiful eyes.
"I’ll support you no matter what you do. They need to be taught a lesson and put back in their place!" Chloe grinned. She wasn’t worried about Naomi getting bullied. In her experience, Naomi was the type to retaliate for any slight; she would never let herself be wronged.
Many people said Naomi was a vicious person, but Chloe didn’t see it that way. In this dog-eat-dog world, Naomi was just trying to protect herself.
Naomi was no longer in the mood to chat. After a few more words, she said goodbye to Chloe. She tossed her phone onto a nearby table and slowly closed her eyes. A thousand thoughts exploded in her mind, making her head throb with pain.
"Jackson Kensington..."
she murmured, her voice laced with venom.
*
The fateful day arrived quickly. Naomi and her family went to the cemetery where Rose Kenway was buried. Even though his marriage to Naomi was more like a contract, Ethan Shaw still came with them.
The closer she got, the more Naomi’s heart ached. She had rarely visited in the years since Rose Kenway’s death. A part of her still refused to accept the truth—that the mother who had always protected her was gone.
In the photograph on the tombstone, Rose Kenway was still smiling. She would never grow old; her time had stopped forever at the age of forty.
The moment Naomi looked at it, she felt her eyes begin to sting as warm memories from the past flooded her mind.
Rose Kenway had been a strict woman, both in her daily life and in business. But with Naomi, she had always been a gentle, doting mother who solved all her problems and held her hand, guiding her step by step as she grew up.
"Mommy..." Ian started to run forward, but Ethan Shaw caught his hand. He knew Naomi needed a quiet moment alone.
Holding Ian, Ethan watched from a distance, his full attention unwittingly drawn to Naomi. For some reason, he felt his own heartbeat slow. He had never seen Naomi look so fragile, her slender frame seeming as if it might collapse at any moment.
A tall, slightly stooped figure approached from a distance. Just as he did every year, Leo Lennox carried a bouquet of balloon flowers. He wore a crisp, formal suit without a single wrinkle. He gently placed the bouquet in front of the tombstone.
Naomi met his gaze. "Uncle Lennox."
When Leo Lennox saw Naomi, his eyes glistened with tears. He nodded in relief. "Nina, if Rose knew you were willing to come see her, she would be so happy."
Naomi had always resisted accepting the fact that Rose Kenway was gone. The moment she stood here, Leo Lennox knew she was finally trying to move on.
Leo didn’t want Naomi to spend her whole life trapped in the pain of losing her mother. He thought that if Rose could see Naomi here now, she would be happy too.
Hearing the familiar nickname, Naomi lifted her head slightly and took out a handkerchief to dab the corner of her eye.
"Nina" was the nickname her loving elders had given her. But in the blink of an eye, Leo Lennox was the only one left who still called her that.
Naomi called Ian Shaw over, and Ian immediately trotted to her side.
"Mommy..." His big eyes were filled with worry and confusion.
Naomi gestured toward Rose Kenway’s photograph, her voice trembling slightly. "Ian, do you know who this is?"
Ian’s gaze shifted from the photo to Naomi. "She looks... she looks like Mommy..."
Ian had never been here before.
Naomi squeezed Ian’s little hand and said, word by word, "Mommy needs you to remember her. This is your grandma. You must always remember her, okay, Ian?"
’Death isn’t the frightening part. Being forgotten is.’
’Jackson Kensington has long since forgotten. The memory has faded for everyone else, too. But I have to remember, and Ian has to remember.’
Hearing the solemnity in his mother’s voice, Ian nodded emphatically. "She’s Mommy’s mommy. Ian’s grandma. Ian will never, ever forget!"
Naomi pulled him into a hug. "Good..."
*
After paying their respects, Naomi didn’t head back to the manor or the film set. She had something more important to do.
Ian tried to act cute, saying he wanted to go with her, but Naomi steeled her heart and refused. She didn’t want her son involved in the chaos and bloodshed that was to come.
Ethan looked as if he wanted to say something, but his phone rang the next second. He had an important meeting.
Naomi said, "Go on, you’re busy. Just make sure to arrange for someone to take our son home first."
Ian said a reluctant goodbye.
Naomi took the butler and several bodyguards with her.
Jackson Kensington doted on Lorraine Warren. The birthday party was being held at a luxurious hotel, and he had extravagantly booked the entire building for her celebration. Rumor had it the festivities would last for two days. The entrance was already lined with luxury cars belonging to the arriving guests.
Naomi was stopped the moment she reached the entrance. "Mr. Kensington has booked the entire hotel," the security guard said. "Please present your invitation."
Naomi didn’t move. She was wearing sunglasses and merely tilted her head, glancing at the butler beside her. 𝕗𝚛𝚎𝚎𝐰𝗲𝗯𝗻𝚘𝚟𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝕞
The butler understood immediately. He took out his phone and made a call.
