The Villain Mom Awakens — Going Viral by Parenting on a Reality Show-Chapter 182: The Fifth Recording Session

Nathan Lynch wasn’t buying into the beautiful fantasy Renee Jennings was weaving. "But I don’t like acting. You have to memorize so many lines, and Mona doesn’t like it one bit!"

Renee Jennings’s brow furrowed slightly. "If Mona doesn’t like acting, then what does Mona like to do? What do you want to be when you grow up?"

Nathan Lynch froze. He remembered the dream he’d told his mother about a long time ago, and a wistful look filled his eyes. "Mona likes growing flowers. I want to grow the most beautiful flowers in the world and give them to the people I love most!"

Renee Jennings frowned. "A gardener?"

Christina Lynch was already scolding him harshly. "You just want to plant flowers and hide away in a garden? How can you have so little ambition! Nathan Lynch, why are you always so shallow, just like your mom! Don’t you dare go around telling people you’re my son. I’d be too embarrassed!"

At that moment, he could no longer maintain his usual polished composure. His handsome face was filled with sternness and disappointment.

Nathan Lynch froze, looking at Christina Lynch with a wounded expression. "You’re a liar! My mom said my dream was wonderful. She said Mona could definitely grow the most beautiful flowers!"

Christina Lynch clutched his chest, looking utterly furious. "What has Victor Vance been teaching you? If you really run off to grow some stupid flowers, I’ll throw you out and disown you!"

A rebellious streak flared in Nathan Lynch, and he cried, "Then throw me out! I’d rather starve to death outside than come back! You never care if I’m happy! You never care about my feelings!" 𝙛𝒓𝒆𝙚𝒘𝒆𝓫𝙣𝓸𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝒄𝒐𝓶

"You little brat..." Christina Lynch glared at him and started to rise from his seat.

Renee Jennings quickly stopped him, coaxing, "Nathaniel, don’t be angry. He’s just a child. They all go through childish phases. As long as we guide him properly, we can surely correct his way of thinking."

Renee Jennings turned to Nathan Lynch, her voice soft. "Mona, you’re still too young to know what’s best. The arrangements your father and I make for you are what’s most suitable. Being a glamorous superstar sounds so much better than growing flowers, doesn’t it? What do those kids at kindergarten know? They don’t know that our Mona is already a little child star! Your father and I would never hurt you. From now on, you can’t think about growing flowers anymore."

"We’re raising you to be a great success, to stand out from the crowd. If you run off to grow flowers, your father and I would be truly heartbroken. Mona is such a good boy, you wouldn’t want to make us sad, would you?"

"But... but..." Nathan Lynch choked out between sobs, "what if I don’t like acting? I don’t like it at all. I get a headache just looking at the scripts..."

"There’s nothing you’ll love forever, and by the same token, there’s nothing you’ll hate forever. Mona, you’ll get used to it after a few more shoots. Everyone goes through this." She feigned a sigh. "Did Victor Vance say something to you again to make you so disobedient? We can’t let her come over anymore. Otherwise, you’ll just get more and more rebellious..."

Nathan Lynch’s head shot up, his voice filled with terror as he begged, "No! I want to see my mom! I’ll be good..."

Renee Jennings gently pulled him into an embrace, patting his back. "Such a good boy. Mommy knows that Mona is the smartest, most obedient child in the world. As long as Mona listens, Mommy is of course willing to grant all your wishes. After all, who doesn’t like a good, obedient child?"

Christina Lynch nodded silently behind them. ’Renee Jennings really has a way with children,’ he thought. ’She saves me so much trouble.’

’In all likelihood, the Lynch family inheritance would go to his older brother’s children anyway. In that case, it wasn’t a bad choice for Mona to forge a path in the entertainment industry.’

Public opinion about Renee Jennings exploiting her child was growing more and more intense. In response, her studio issued a statement claiming that Mona’s acting was purely voluntary and a personal hobby. After that, the controversy died down.

Renee Jennings breathed a sigh of relief. She looked over at Nathan Lynch doing his homework in the distance, but a faint sense of unease settled in her heart. She couldn’t shake the feeling that she had just planted a ticking time bomb.

*

Soon, the day of the fifth episode’s recording arrived. As usual, Naomi Kenway set out with Ian Shaw and the production crew. She hadn’t seen Ethan Shaw since she woke up. When she checked her phone, she found a message from him saying he’d already left for the office and that she and Ian should remember to eat breakfast.

Naomi Kenway paused for a moment, then locked her phone.

According to the show’s usual routine, the guests were to gather at the airport in Veridia.

Chelsea Raines was doting on Nathan Lynch, simultaneously trying to curry favor with Renee Jennings. "Mona is just incredible! I saw that show you were in, Mona. I heard you memorized your lines after just one read? What an amazing memory! Our Jared has no such talent. I worry about him every day."

Having been randomly called out, Jared Woods whipped his head around and snorted in displeasure. "There are things I can do that Mona can’t! I’m not worse than any other kid. Jared is the best kid in the world!"

Renee Jennings glanced at Jared Woods, a flicker of disdain in her eyes that she quickly suppressed. The corner of her mouth twitched, but she still managed a smile. "Jared is right. Every child has different strengths. They’re all the best."

Chelsea Raines continued to shower Nathan Lynch with praise, but he showed no reaction, his little face remaining completely wooden. His attitude clearly displeased Chelsea Raines, and she couldn’t help but say, "Rachel, your Mona is a bit too quiet, isn’t he? People compliment him and he doesn’t even react."

Renee Jennings glanced at Nathan Lynch and chuckled. "Well... maybe Mona just gets praised so often that he’s a little immune to it. Don’t take it to heart, Chelsea. I’ll have a good talk with him later."

Chelsea Raines nodded, though she still felt annoyed.

When Naomi Kenway arrived, she was immediately pulled into a conversation by Ruby Preston and Margaret Jennings. The three of them chatted like old friends, catching up on recent events.

Ruby Preston smiled and ruffled Ian Shaw’s hair. "Ian was such a huge help to me recently!"

Margaret Jennings chimed in with a laugh. "I saw that candid photo of Ian, and it was absolutely adorable. But if you don’t mind me saying, Ian is even cuter in person." She teased, "Ruby Preston, you’ll have to try a little harder next time to capture all of our Ian’s handsome and cute sides."

Ruby Preston laughed and replied, "No problem."

Renee Jennings led Chelsea Raines over to join the conversation, but she quickly realized she couldn’t get a word in edgewise. It was as if she was being completely ignored.

An awkward expression on her face, Renee Jennings had no choice but to retreat a little with Chelsea Raines and resume their own conversation, pretending the whole thing had never happened.

The guests chatted for a while longer before the director’s voice came over, and they began to board the plane according to the production crew’s instructions.

Naomi Kenway was holding her son’s hand, but before they reached the security check, she heard a familiar voice calling out from behind her—low and sensual. Naomi Kenway froze, still holding Ian’s hand, and slowly turned around.

When she turned and got a clear look at the person before her, Naomi Kenway could hardly believe her eyes.