The Villain Mom Awakens — Going Viral by Parenting on a Reality Show-Chapter 164: Racer WK

"The only reason Naomi Kenway got her current role was pure luck. No, it must have been the result of some backroom deal. It’s completely unfair." Renee Jennings’s expression grew increasingly grim. Every time she recalled losing to Naomi Kenway at the audition, she felt utterly humiliated.

Clementine Coleman noticed her expression and said with concern, "Rachel, you don’t look well. Is the air conditioning in the car too low? I can have someone turn it up a couple of degrees."

"I’m fine, thank you, Clementine." Renee Jennings glanced around, then had her assistant check if the RV door was shut tight. Only after confirming all this did she begin to speak:

"Naomi Kenway’s acting is terrible. We just need to secretly film her on set and post it online... People will tear her apart. If we make a big enough splash, there’s no way she’ll be able to hold on to this role. I’m busy on the set next door, so it’s not convenient for me to be there in person. This difficult task falls to you."

Clementine listened intently, her delicate eyebrows knitting together. "That doesn’t seem right. Secretly filming someone... that’s so despicable."

"How is that despicable?" Renee Jennings grasped Clementine’s hand. "Naomi Kenway is a vile person. What we’re doing isn’t the least bit excessive. You could even say we’d be doing a good deed, freeing everyone on set from her tyranny."

"Doesn’t that make sense, Clementine?" Renee Jennings coaxed, knowing Clementine had a strong sense of justice.

"No!" Clementine shook her head firmly. "If I use such a malicious tactic to force Naomi Kenway off the set, what’s the difference between me and her? Wouldn’t I become the very person I despise most?"

"My mom always said you have to have principles. I can’t do this."

Renee Jennings’s expression stiffened, but she had no choice but to play along. "You have a point, Clementine. Actually, I feel the same way. My agent was the one who suggested it. I don’t really agree with her methods."

"Rachel, your agent is awful. You should keep your distance from her."

Renee Jennings gave a stiff nod.

"Oh, right! Rachel, when can I get that autographed photo of WK?" Clementine’s eyes lit up. Besides being a fangirl, her other great passion was car racing.

WK was her favorite race car driver—a total cool girl. Her dashing, heroic presence and that sexy, sultry voice had Clementine completely captivated.

One day, by chance, Clementine discovered a photo of Renee Jennings and her husband with WK displayed in Renee’s home. After asking about it, Clementine learned that Renee and WK were old friends and were very close. From then on, Clementine became even more attached to Renee Jennings.

Renee Jennings was visibly taken aback. "WK... she’s been very busy lately. You know, she’s overseas with her racing schedule. I haven’t had a chance to see her. Maybe in a little while."

"Couldn’t she just mail an autographed photo here?"

"She’s just so busy. We’d better not bother her right now."

Clementine’s shoulders slumped. "Okay, then. I guess we’ll just have to wait until WK has time."

*

This scene was between Naomi Kenway and Ryan Thorne, depicting the moment they first meet. The director wanted them to portray the heart-fluttering thrill of love at first sight.

Naomi Kenway’s performance was as solid as ever, but Ryan Thorne seemed awkward and hesitant, refusing to even look her in the eye. After the last incident, he had a new appreciation for her professionalism, but he was still afraid she would try to "ship" them as a couple to leech off his popularity.

Ryan Thorne wasn’t completely against being shipped with a co-star. If his partner was a young, beautiful actress, it could boost both their profiles. It was a win-win.

Naomi Kenway was certainly beautiful, but her reputation in the industry was absolute trash. She was married with a son—completely unsuitable for any kind of shipping.

’A beautiful predator. A disgusting leech,’ Ryan Thorne thought to himself.

Ruby Preston watched from behind the camera, frowning. "Ryan Thorne, your performance is too stiff. Relax. Let yourself go, okay? Let’s take it from the top."

Ryan Thorne looked exasperated and shot a furtive glance at Naomi Kenway. "Fine."

Ryan Thorne’s agreement was crisp, but his performance showed no improvement. He was still completely out of it. The look he gave Naomi Kenway held none of the script’s infatuation—only wariness and disgust.

Ruby Preston pulled him aside to give him notes several times, but his performance remained unchanged. Furious, she slammed down her megaphone and tore into him.

Ryan Thorne said defensively, "Director Preston, can you really blame me?"

"Oh, so I suppose it’s my fault?"

Ryan Thorne quickly denied it. He shot a look at Naomi Kenway. "It’s not my fault. No one could play this kind of scene opposite Naomi Kenway." He pointed to the crew off to the side. "If you don’t believe me, get another actor to try! See if it’s really my problem then!"

And to his surprise, Ruby Preston actually called someone over—Wayne Wyatt.

Kiera Sherman had arranged for Wayne Wyatt to be on set to learn acting techniques. But he’d been incredibly lazy around the studio; when he wasn’t mechanically playing his bit parts, he was parked in a chair in the coolest spot he could find—a small pavilion. The moment he heard he had a chance to do a scene with his goddess, he dropped his fan and bolted over.

A light breeze had tousled the slightly-too-long hair on his forehead, pressing the strands against his smooth, fair skin. Wayne Wyatt quickly tried to smooth down his bangs. His eyes, bright as obsidian, were practically glowing. He covered his mouth and gave a little cough, but he couldn’t hide the joy in his voice.

"Director Preston, do I really get to do a scene with Ms. Kenway?" 𝑓𝓇𝘦ℯ𝘸𝘦𝑏𝓃𝑜𝘷ℯ𝑙.𝑐𝑜𝓂

"Of course. Give this scene a try." Ruby Preston handed him the script. "I remember you did very well in your audition."

As she said this, she shot a pointed look at Ryan Thorne.

Ryan Thorne found this even more ridiculous. Wayne Wyatt was just some nepo baby living off his parents’ money, a total amateur actor. And Ruby Preston was saying someone like *that* could act?

Ryan Thorne was starting to think Ruby Preston was deliberately trying to humiliate him.

Naomi Kenway didn’t know what they were talking about. When Ruby Preston asked her to run the scene with Wayne Wyatt, she simply complied.

Wayne Wyatt was uncharacteristically enthusiastic about performing. After about two minutes, he gave an "OK" sign.

Ryan Thorne stood to the side with his arms crossed, ready to watch the show. He was already bracing himself for a train wreck of a performance.

Wayne Wyatt didn’t even need to act. His heart was already pounding just from looking at Naomi Kenway.

Naomi Kenway’s acting was magnetic. Just by looking into her beautiful eyes, Wayne Wyatt was involuntarily pulled into the role. Those poetic, flowery lines that usually felt like a foreign language to him now came with effortless ease.

The cry of "Cut!" rang out, but Wayne Wyatt still hadn’t snapped out of it.

Ruby Preston shot a glance at Ryan Thorne’s dark expression. "Well? Anything else you’d like to say? Wayne Wyatt is a newcomer to the industry. You can’t possibly claim he was deliberately out-acting you, can you?"