The Villain Mom Awakens — Going Viral by Parenting on a Reality Show-Chapter 197: The Scapegoat

After saying goodbye to the village chief, Naomi Kenway held Ian Shaw’s hand and followed Six to House #1.

Six walked with a slight limp, but she was fast. Even with such a large pack on her back, she still looked completely at ease.

Naomi watched from behind, a complicated feeling stirring in her heart.

’I came from a privileged background and never really knew hardship. This is the first time I’ve met such a strong and brave little girl. Six is like a wildflower pushing its way through a crack in a rock, full of untamable spirit and life.’

As if sensing something, Six looked back and smiled. "Come on, Fairy Sister. Am I walking too fast for you?"

"No." Naomi snapped out of her thoughts and quickened her pace.

As they passed Renee Jennings, they saw her face was a mask of fear and conflict. No matter how the production team tried to persuade her, she refused to leave the courtyard.

The sky was now pitch-black, with only a few scattered lamps illuminating the courtyard. Renee’s heart pounded with fear, and she absolutely would not take a step down from the veranda to head to House #5.

Nathan Lynch yawned beside her, rubbing his eyes. His voice was thick with sleepiness. "Mom, I’m really sleepy. Can we go home?"

Renee shook her head. "Let’s just wait a little longer."

"But I’m really sleepy."

A surge of anger rose in Renee’s heart. ’How can Nathan be so dense?’ she thought resentfully.

"Mom... if you love me so much and don’t want me to suffer, why are you making me stand here in the courtyard with you? I’m so tired and sleepy..."

Renee froze. Then, as if she’d just had an idea, her eyes lit up. "Director, there must be other houses in this village, right? Please let us switch. Nathan has been frail since he was little and can’t handle scares. I take him for regular check-ups at the hospital, and he’s only just started getting better..."

The director said, "No, the rules cannot be changed."

"Is there really no way? Our Nathan is only six years old. They say children are easily frightened. What if he’s psychologically traumatized..." Renee trailed off, pulling out a handkerchief to dab at the corner of her eye. "I really can’t let Nathan take this risk..."

Chelsea Raines was listening from the side and seemed quite moved. She spoke up in support of Renee. "That house really is a bit creepy. It doesn’t matter for us adults, but if it really scares a child, it’ll be too late for regrets..."

The director hesitated for a moment, but suddenly a child’s voice piped up. "Nathan isn’t scared. This is a show. The rules can’t be changed just for us. And Nathan doesn’t want to cause trouble for the director."

The director let out a sigh of relief and praised him, "Nathan, you’re so sensible!"

Renee looked down at Nathan Lynch, feeling an inexplicable sense of betrayal.

Nathan Lynch couldn’t budge Renee. "Why aren’t you walking, Mom? Are you scared? If you’re scared, why did you say *I* was scared? I saw on TV they call that... being a scapegoat..."

"I am not!" Renee’s expression changed instantly. She stomped down the steps and hurried away with Nathan in tow, terrified he might say something even more outrageous.

Suddenly, Renee felt that no ghost could possibly be as terrifying as Nathan Lynch’s mouth.

Unsurprisingly, Renee’s behavior was quickly roasted by the viewers in the livestream chat: 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝒆𝒘𝙚𝓫𝙣𝙤𝒗𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

[She’s clearly the one who’s scared but she blames it on her kid. Nathan was spot on, isn’t he just Renee’s scapegoat?]

[I get that some people are timid, there are a lot of them out there. But using your kid as a human shield is just unnecessary, isn’t it?]

[I’m really starting to dislike Renee. I’m starting to suspect her body’s been snatched or something. She’s completely different from how she is in her videos!]

[I think Naomi might’ve been body-snatched too. Those two really know how to create character contrast; their personalities have changed way too much! I really regret getting heated and flaming Naomi for Renee’s sake back in the day. Thinking about it now, Renee isn’t even worthy!]

[I can’t stand being in Renee’s stream for one more second. Her viewer count is plummeting, and she doesn’t reflect on her own actions at all. I’m heading over to Naomi’s stream. At least over there you can see some actual parent-child interaction. Renee’s side is all drama and mind games!]

...

There were some fans defending Renee in the chat, but they were quickly drowned in the sea of critical comments.

*

Pushing open the dilapidated wooden gate revealed a spacious courtyard. Many of the things in the yard were old, clearly having been used for many years. A shed stood in an open area, used for storing miscellaneous items like hoes and shovels.

The courtyard was tidy. Naomi smelled the fragrance of flowers and saw rows of vibrant blooms growing along the wall, full of life. The scent was coming from them.

Naomi had never seen this type of flower before and couldn’t help but stare a little longer.

Six turned and locked the wooden gate with practiced ease. She turned back and smiled. "My mom says wild animals always sneak around at night, so she told me to lock the gate as soon as I get back."

"Oh, are you interested in these flowers, Fairy Sister?" Six explained, "This is a special kind of flower from around here. It grows on the highlands and is very easy to raise. It just needs a little water to live. We locals call it the ’Good Luck Flower.’ Almost every family grows them. They say it can bring good luck!"

Naomi nodded, her gaze lingering on the flowers for a few more seconds.

"My mom should be inside. She’ll be so happy to know we have guests!" Six’s steps became much more cheerful as she led Naomi and her son toward the main house.

"All you do is lie on the kang all day! You don’t do any of the farm work. How did I end up with a daughter-in-law like you! Your husband is out there doing hard labor to support the family and you don’t feel for him at all. You’ve already eaten ten organic eggs during your postpartum confinement! Go out and ask, who else is as lazy and greedy as you?!"

"We only have two hens, they lay two eggs a day—sometimes not even that—and you’ve eaten them all in the last few days! What are you crying for? You have the nerve to cry after eating so many organic eggs? If it weren’t for my grandson needing milk, I would have kicked you out long ago!"

Before they even got close to the door, a sharp, cruel voice rang out, mixed with the sound of a woman’s quiet sobbing.

The color drained from Six’s face. She dropped the bundle in her hands, shouted "Mom!" and frantically shoved the door open, running inside.

Phoenix Holloway was startled by the door banging open and nearly slid off the kang. When she saw it was Six, she immediately started cursing, "Are you trying to get yourself killed? You worthless money-drain! Piss me off and I’ll throw you and your mother out together..."

Tears welled up in Six’s eyes. She rushed to help the woman who had collapsed on the floor. "Mom, are you okay? Mom?"

Joelle Lynch shook her head weakly. A towel was wrapped around her head, and her lips were pale.