The Villain Mom Awakens — Going Viral by Parenting on a Reality Show-Chapter 165: Ryan Thorne, Take a Look in the Mirror
"You need to look at yourself for the source of your problems, not just blindly blame others."
"It’s one excuse after another with you. Have you forgotten who you are? You’re an actor! An actor who’s supposed to overcome any obstacle to get the shot! If you really can’t handle this line of work, then you should just go home and find something else to do!"
Ruby Preston’s voice was tight with suppressed fury.
This time, Ryan Thorne didn’t say a word.
Just then, a crew member walked over to inform them that reporters had arrived for a live-streamed interview. It was Naomi Kenway and Ryan Thorne’s turn. Such interviews were common promotional events, designed to build audience anticipation for a new show.
Ruby Preston composed herself and waved a hand. "Go do the interview first."
Ryan Thorne’s assistant quickly handed him a script to review. The reporter’s questions wouldn’t deviate from it.
The interviews were conducted in pairs. Since Naomi Kenway and Ryan Thorne played a couple in the show, they were naturally grouped together.
To avoid any spoilers for the new show, Naomi Kenway had changed out of her costume.
The reporter held up her microphone. "Nina, Ryan, good afternoon! Let’s all say hello to the fans!"
Ryan Thorne plastered on a smile and gave a little wink to the camera. "Hello, everyone. I’m Ryan Thorne, and I play Theodore Rhodes in the show."
Naomi Kenway gave a simple introduction as well.
[The entire cast of this show is so gorgeous! My expectations are through the roof!]
[A handsome guy and a beautiful woman... but they don’t seem to have much chemistry.]
[Can’t wait for Nina’s new show! So excited!!]
[Ryan is as handsome as ever today! I’m so jealous of Naomi Kenway for getting to act with him!]
...
The reporter’s questions had all been approved beforehand and revolved around the show, *Youth*.
Naomi Kenway was married, so the production team hadn’t asked the two to play up their couple dynamic for the fans. Still, it looked as if there was an entire aisle separating them.
The reporter chuckled. "You two seem a little stiff. Could you move a bit closer? We need to get a close-up of you together."
Naomi Kenway did as requested, but a second later, Ryan Thorne took a large step in the opposite direction, as if he hadn’t heard the reporter at all. The distance between them grew once more.
Naomi Kenway’s eyes narrowed slightly as she glanced at Ryan Thorne. He was staring straight into the camera, his expression unchanged.
Naomi Kenway took another step to her left, and Ryan Thorne evaded her again, as if she were some kind of plague.
[What is this cringefest? It’s so awkward my toes are curling. I’m already feeling second-hand embarrassment for Naomi Kenway...]
[I’m not worried about Ryan getting into a relationship. He really seems to have no interest in female celebrities.]
[Good job, Ryan! Stay away from Naomi Kenway! The farther, the better!]
[What’s with Ryan Thorne? Does he have zero emotional intelligence? Isn’t he just openly trying to embarrass her?]
[Our poor Ryan, being forced to do this promo with Naomi Kenway. Please, Naomi Kenway, stop trying to leech off his popularity!]
[This must be Ryan’s way of protesting. So cool!]
[Cool my ass. If he really didn’t want to do an interview with Nina, he could have taken it up with the production team. What kind of man embarrasses his co-star on camera?]
[Are these two really playing a couple? There are absolutely no sparks! This is so dramatic. I can’t even imagine what their scenes together will look like.]
...
Ryan Thorne was going completely off-script, and the reporter was starting to look embarrassed. Still, she tried to smooth things over. "Haha, Ryan, you’re so playful. Are you still getting used to the set?"
"Not really." He glanced to the side. "I just don’t like being tied to other people. After all, plenty of celebrities are always clamoring to be paired with me for publicity, but as everyone knows..." He shrugged. "I’ve never been a fan of that kind of marketing."
The implication was clear, his tone dripping with superiority.
The reporter had no idea how to salvage the situation.
The onlookers’ expressions turned mocking, but Naomi Kenway seemed completely unfazed. She just chuckled lightly. "That’s understandable. After all, during a shortage, even toilets are a hot commodity."
Ryan Thorne’s expression soured. "Are you calling me a toilet?"
Naomi Kenway shrugged, holding her hands out. "You’re the one reading too much into it. Did I say that?"
"Don’t try to deny it, Naomi Kenway! What you just said wasn’t in the script!"
"Oh? And was you scurrying to the side something we planned beforehand? Hmm?" The end of her question lifted slightly, yet it carried an immense pressure.
"You...!" Ryan Thorne seemed to have reached his limit. "I didn’t want to say all this on camera, but you forced my hand! I’m begging you, okay? Can you please stop sticking to me all the time? I have zero interest in being in a ’couple pairing’ with you. I’m not interested in you at all! Just let me go, would you, lady! You have a kid already, can’t you stop harassing me?!"
Naomi Kenway couldn’t help but laugh; this time, she genuinely found it hilarious. "I’ve never seen someone so full of themselves. Do you spend all day fantasizing that the entire world revolves around you, with everyone scrambling for your affection? Have you never once looked in a mirror? You’ve earned all this money, but you can’t even afford a mirror? You’re in luck, I’m in a good mood today. I’ll bestow a mirror upon you later."
"Though for a piece of trash like you, a second-hand one is more than you deserve."
Seeing his stunned expression, Naomi Kenway smirked. "What, speechless with joy? Aren’t you going to thank your big sister?"
’Ryan Thorne had shown her no courtesy, so he shouldn’t expect any in return.’
[That was a great comeback! Ryan Thorne is clearly disrespecting Naomi Kenway. What he said was so nasty.]
[Naomi Kenway went too far! She’s always pulling these publicity stunts, and now she’s getting defensive because someone called her out!]
[To the person above talking about publicity stunts, are there even any rumors about Ryan Thorne and Naomi Kenway right now?]
[Ryan Thorne is so narcissistic. He refuses to cooperate and then verbally attacks his female co-star. That’s way too much! I’m officially un-stanning him.]
[I’ve been sick of Ryan Thorne for ages. He’s as narcissistic and arrogant as ever, with no filter on his mouth. I can’t believe this kind of guy still has a legion of devoted fans defending him.]
...
The reporter was helpless. There was no way she could save this scene.
Veins pulsed on Ryan Thorne’s forehead. "I’m reading too much into it? You dare say you aren’t deliberately trying to ride my coattails and start some scandal? Do you have any idea how on edge I am every time I have to stand next to you?"
"If you’re that paranoid, you should go see a doctor. Go on, tell me, when have I ever pestered you for publicity?"
Ryan Thorne was momentarily speechless, because Naomi Kenway had, in fact, been acting perfectly normal. Unable to stomach his anger, he slammed the microphone down and stormed off.
As luck would have it, the microphone landed right at Naomi Kenway’s feet.
"Come back here!" Naomi Kenway shouted, her expression cold and severe.
Of course, Ryan Thorne didn’t listen, but he’d barely taken two steps before a group of men in suits surrounded him. They were Naomi Kenway’s bodyguards.
He snorted in defiance but stopped in his tracks.
The situation was now completely out of control. The reporter hastily said a few closing words and cut the live stream.
