The Villain Mom Awakens — Going Viral by Parenting on a Reality Show-Chapter 160: Portrait of a Young Girl

"Telling me to be careful? Does Naomi Kenway really think I can’t touch her just because she’s latched onto the Shaw Family!"

Hearing this, Jackson Kensington instantly became agitated. He was so furious he tried to get up, but the sudden movement twisted his wound. His face grew even paler, and he couldn’t help but cry out in pain.

"Jackson..." Lorraine Warren hurriedly helped him lie back down. "The doctor said you can’t make any sudden movements. You have to listen."

Jeanette Kensington pushed open the hospital room door and walked in. She placed the bouquet of flowers in her hands on the table. "Dad, how are you feeling today? Any better?"

Jackson Kensington quickly wiped the ferocious expression from his face. "Much better, much better."

Jeanette Kensington sat down beside Jackson Kensington and peeled an apple for him. "Dad, have you thought about what I mentioned? I think Caleb is really talented. He could definitely be a great asset to our family’s company."

The smile vanished from Jackson Kensington’s lips, and his expression grew serious.

Not wanting her daughter to be disappointed, Lorraine Warren added, "I think that Caleb boy is quite good. We should give him a chance. Besides, Jackson, with your shoulder injured, it’s the perfect time for Caleb to step in and help you out."

Jackson Kensington coughed twice, his voice turning cold and hard. "Caleb has been handling everything for my hospital stay these past two days. I’ve seen it all. But I’ve said it before: if he wants to join the company, he has to marry you, or at least get engaged. Otherwise, how can I trust an outsider with the company?"

Jeanette Kensington started to speak but then stopped.

Jackson Kensington said, "Enough, Jan. Instead of trying to convince me, you should go back and persuade Caleb. You’ve been together for so many years. Since he’s a man, he needs to take responsibility. What does he think he’s doing, stringing you along like this?"

Jeanette Kensington could only say, "Okay, I’ll have a good talk with him."

On the way to handle the paperwork, Lorraine Warren pulled her daughter aside. "Jan, don’t be angry with your father. What he said makes sense. It’s been so many years. Do you two plan on spending your whole lives together without getting married? The way I see it, marriage would at least tie him down a bit. If this keeps up, I’m afraid he’ll just leave you and run off."

"Impossible!" Flashes of all the small, kind things Caleb Bishop had done for her filled Jeanette Kensington’s mind. "He would never do that to me!" she said firmly.

Lorraine Warren could only sigh. "Otherwise..." She glanced around, and after making sure no one was nearby, she whispered, "Jan, if you got pregnant, he would have to marry you. Back then, your father and I were fighting and almost separated. It was only because you came along that our relationship was repaired and even became unbreakable."

Jeanette Kensington’s face was full of resistance. "No, that’s too cheap. I’m Jeanette Kensington. Everywhere I go, people admire me. How could I stoop so low?"

"What can a piece of paper prove anyway? If he wants to leave me, he’ll find a million ways." A dazed look flickered in Jeanette Kensington’s eyes. She was torn. On one hand, she didn’t want to take such a lowly position; on the other, she was just so deeply in love with Caleb Bishop.

Lorraine Warren disagreed. "This is the fastest way to get him to marry you. Once there’s a child, he can’t just refuse to acknowledge it!"

"Do you think I can have a child just by wanting one? He... he..." An embarrassed look appeared on Jeanette Kensington’s face, as if she found it difficult to say.

Lorraine Warren was shocked but still lowered her voice. "He... He doesn’t have... a physical problem, does he?"

"No!" Jeanette Kensington’s face was bright red. "Where is your mind going! He’s a devout Christian. He doesn’t believe in premarital sex."

Lorraine Warren breathed a sigh of relief. "So, you can still have children."

"Alright, Mom, you don’t need to worry about this. I’ll have a good talk with him."

The abstract sunflower oil painting was brilliantly colored and used bold hues, yet Bennett shook his head repeatedly, sighing.

Caleb Bishop’s heart sank. He stood tall and graceful, his slightly long hair tied back and falling over his shoulder. "Master, please, if there’s a problem, don’t hesitate to say. I will learn from it."

Bennett looked at the refined profile of the man beside him. "Caleb, forgive my impoliteness, but your work seems to be getting worse and worse. I can’t find any vitality in your paintings. They feel like they were made with a mercenary purpose, like something mass-produced by a machine."

Bennett patted Caleb Bishop’s shoulder and said seriously, "What changed you, Caleb? Your ambition is growing, and you’ve become impetuous. But you must understand, Caleb, a capitalist who only wants to reap profits cannot be an artist. Your soul must be utterly turbid by now."

Caleb Bishop froze, then gave a bitter laugh after a long moment. "You’re right. My state of mind changed a long time ago."

Bennett was heartbroken, as if he were witnessing the fall of a generational talent.

"Caleb, do you remember your original passion?" Bennett led him through the entire gallery, finally stopping in front of the portrait of a young girl.

The style was minimalist; a few lines were all it took to perfectly capture the girl’s delicate figure and spirited essence.

"Do you remember this piece? You created it when you were nineteen. As soon as it was released, it caused a massive sensation in the country. Countless people hailed you as a genius. But now..." Bennett’s gaze was heavy with sorrow.

Caleb Bishop stared blankly at the painting, forcibly dragged into a nightmare of memories. He snatched his gaze away as if he’d been burned.

Bennett clapped him on the shoulder. "Try to push those useless, distracting thoughts and your desire for money out of your mind."

"I don’t think I can. I love to create, but I also want to make money. Lots and lots of money..."

Bennett looked at him, confused. "Caleb, every one of your works sells for a considerable sum. You also run a gallery. Isn’t that more than enough for you to live comfortably for the rest of your life?"

"It’s not enough... Not enough..." Caleb Bishop said. "I want lots and lots of money... so they will never dare to look down on me again."

Bennett was filled with confusion. "Who would look down on you?"

But Caleb Bishop was no longer willing to continue the conversation. "Sorry, I lost my composure. I have some things to take care of. Let’s end our meeting here for today. Goodbye, Master."

With that, he turned and left.

Left behind, Bennett watched Caleb Bishop’s retreating back, then shifted his gaze to the portrait of the young girl before him. After a long moment, he sighed.

On set, Naomi Kenway gradually began to notice a young man named Wayne Wyatt. He seemed familiar because he was always coming up to her, calling her "Goddess," which made him hard to ignore.

He often came over to ask for acting tips, which Naomi Kenway was more than happy to provide.

A horn sounded, signaling that it was time for Wayne Wyatt to go shoot his scene.

Wayne Wyatt was reluctant to leave. He waved repeatedly and said, "I’ll be back later to ask for more advice."

With nothing to do, Naomi Kenway took the bottled water her young assistant handed her and settled in to watch Wayne Wyatt’s performance.