The Villain Mom Awakens — Going Viral by Parenting on a Reality Show-Chapter 167: A Bad Workman Blames His Tools

"Ryan Thorne is refusing to film. It seems the incident from a while ago left him with some significant trauma. His fans are flooding the official account with comments, demanding an explanation," the assistant director said.

Ruby Preston snorted. "You see all sorts of frecks these days. Ryan Thorne was the one in the wrong. What right do his fans have to demand an explanation? Anyone could tell whose fault it was just by watching that livestream."

"Ryan Thorne’s fans are pretty young. They don’t have much discernment and are easily brainwashed by his team," the assistant director said. "He has already stated that unless Naomi Kenway is kicked off the cast, he absolutely will not come back to continue filming. You see... Ryan Thorne is the hottest star of the moment. With him on board, our box office numbers would surely be even better."

"He sure has a lot of nerve. Fine, if he doesn’t want to come back, then he can pay the breach of contract fee first. Since when does he get to give me orders?!"

The assistant director paused. "I’m just worried he’ll start slacking off on purpose."

"He’d only be ruining his own reputation. After this movie comes out, let’s see who’ll ever hire him again." Ruby Preston looked at the assistant director. "Every word out of your mouth is in his defense. I bet you’ve taken quite a bit of his money, haven’t you? Just go tell him that the production doesn’t need him. There are plenty of people who would kill for his spot!"

*

Ryan Thorne really was badly hurt. He had originally planned to use his medical report to accuse Naomi Kenway, but for some reason, all the tests showed there was absolutely nothing wrong with his body. He was in utter disbelief when he heard the results; he could clearly feel the pain all over.

He wanted to rest for a few days, but everyone around him, including his agent, thought he was just being lazy. The production team of *Youth* showed him no mercy, hounding him to get back to work like demons. If he was late, it would be considered deliberate slacking and a breach of contract.

Left with no choice, Ryan Thorne dragged his aching body to the set.

He was pushed in in a wheelchair, but aside from the fans who had come to visit the set, not a single person showed any concern for him.

The visiting fans made sure to take pictures of Ryan Thorne in his wheelchair and post them online. However, all it earned him was widespread ridicule from netizens:

[Ooh, look, Mr. Glass is in a wheelchair now? Is he gonna need a stretcher to get in tomorrow?]

[Why is Ryan Thorne always playing the victim? The actress he was trying to push around hasn’t even said anything, and he’s already putting on an act. Does he really think he’s some delicate little flower?]

[Hiss... There’s no need to fake an illness just to mess with Naomi Kenway, is there? That’s so petty. Whoever has to deal with Ryan Thorne is just plain unlucky. I’m not kidding.]

[He talks about not wanting others to leech off his fame, but isn’t every step he’s taken, from the hospital to the wheelchair, just him leeching off Naomi Kenway? Such a hypocrite. It’s disgusting.]

*

Naomi Kenway quickly noticed Ryan Thorne. He had been forced to apologize to her a while back, but one look at his resentful expression was enough to know his apology was completely insincere.

Her little assistant reminded her from the side, "Ryan Thorne is a shady guy. He loves to pull dirty little tricks on people behind the scenes. Nina, you have to be careful."

Naomi Kenway let out a soft laugh. "It’s fine. He won’t be here for much longer anyway."

Ryan Thorne soon felt Naomi Kenway deliberately targeting him.

Naomi Kenway was deliberately upstaging him, and he couldn’t keep up with her performance at all! The lines were right there in his head, but the moment he met her gaze, his mind went completely blank.

With Naomi Kenway’s charisma on full display, Ryan Thorne was utterly powerless.

After another NG, Ryan Thorne raised his hand and yelled, "Naomi Kenway is upstaging me on purpose! She’s deliberately trying to mess with me!"

Naomi Kenway crossed her arms. "A bad workman blames his tools."

"You!" Ryan Thorne gritted his teeth in anger.

To his surprise, Ruby Preston said, "Nicole is doing great. If you can’t keep up with your scene partner, it just means you need to improve your acting."

"Director Preston, I’m really not lying!"

"Enough!" Ruby Preston said impatiently. "As an actor, the biggest taboo is bringing your personal emotions into a scene! All you do all day is stir up trouble. Can you film properly or not?! If you can’t, then get the hell out!"

Ruby Preston was known for being strict. After she spoke, everyone around fell deathly silent.

After a few more NGs, Ryan Thorne got another earful, and even his agent advised him to just focus on filming for now.

’He had no outlet for his pent-up frustration. Naomi Kenway was deliberately pressuring him during their scenes, and the most ridiculous part was that he was actually being intimidated by an actress with such a bad reputation.’

When another take failed, Ruby Preston threw down her megaphone and stormed off. Ryan Thorne’s mental defenses completely crumbled, and he left the set in a fury.

The next day, news broke that Ryan Thorne had terminated his contract with the *Youth* production and paid a hefty penalty for breach of contract.

Ruby Preston didn’t agonize over the role of "Theodore Rhodes" for long. She quickly decided on Wayne Wyatt. For one, he was a great fit for the character. For another, it was a favor to Kiera Sherman.

Hearing the news, Wayne Wyatt was so excited he almost jumped for joy, but he restrained himself, remembering he was in an RV.

Across from him, Luke Lowell looked bewildered. "It’s just the third male lead. Why are you so happy? Noah, have some ambition."

"What do you know? Getting this role means I’m one step closer to my goddess!"

But the thought of acting alongside Naomi Kenway made Luke Lowell feel suffocated. After all, his cousin’s wife had a terrible temper; even his cousin couldn’t handle her.

"Naomi Kenway is so fierce. I don’t get what you even like about her."

Wayne Wyatt narrowed his eyes, warning him, "What do you mean, fierce? Don’t talk nonsense. My goddess is a bit of a free spirit, that’s all. Who doesn’t have a bit of a temper?"

"Fine, I won’t argue with you about that. But you’d better watch it. She’s a married woman." ’No matter what, Luke Lowell couldn’t let Naomi Kenway cheat on his cousin.’

"Don’t worry! I’m a modern, upstanding young man. I would never be a homewrecker!"

Luke Lowell had just breathed a sigh of relief when he heard Wayne Wyatt’s audacious declaration: "I’ll wait for my goddess to get a divorce!"

"You..." Luke Lowell was completely stunned.

"I heard my goddess and her husband don’t have a good relationship. That bastard is probably a piece of scum. Anyway, my goddess can do no wrong! I’m still young; I can totally afford to wait. Once they’re divorced, I’ll spend the rest of my life cherishing her and making it up to her. I’m going to make her happy every single day!"

For a moment, Luke Lowell was at a loss for words. "Your ideas are so dangerous... Does Auntie Sherman know about this?"

*

Susan Hughes’s health took a turn for the worse. It seemed to be old age; insomnia plagued her constantly. After just a few days, she had become visibly haggard. Several famous doctors had examined her, but there was no improvement. Her spirits still seemed low.

Her children and grandchildren reached a tacit understanding. Despite their busy schedules, they began taking turns to stay by her side.