The Villain Mom Awakens — Going Viral by Parenting on a Reality Show-Chapter 238: Get Out

Jenna Shaw arrived at the Ford Group, carrying a box of pastries, and headed for Walter Ford’s general manager’s office.

She glanced at the box in her hands, a hint of joy in her eyes. She remembered how much Walter Ford loved the pastries from this famous old bakery, and she had waited in line for a long time this morning just to get them.

"Ms. Shaw, I’ll take you to Mr. Ford’s office," an assistant said, leading the way.

Jenna Shaw nodded and smiled politely. "Thank you."

The moment Jenna Shaw was out of earshot, the staff began to whisper among themselves:

"Why is she wearing that hideous white dress again? Her taste is just awful. It looks strange no matter how you look at it. How could Mr. Ford have such bad taste, getting a fiancée like her?"

"What do you know? I heard she’s from a prestigious family—the Shaw Family. You know, that top-tier family from Veridia? I also heard she and Mr. Ford have a childhood engagement; they grew up together. If you ask me, poor Mr. Ford. He’s rich, he’s handsome, so how did he end up with a fiancée like that? She’s not even as good-looking as my girlfriend!"

"If you ask me, Secretary Bishop and our Mr. Ford are a match made in heaven. The way they look at each other... you can practically see the sparks fly. They’re so easy to ship!"

"Totally. Jenna Shaw has zero self-awareness. I heard Mr. Ford has been pursuing Secretary Bishop for a while, and the only reason she won’t say yes is because of this fiancée getting in the way!"

"Isn’t it a bit much to talk like that? She’s his actual fiancée, after all. What do you mean, ’zero self-awareness’? What kind of warped values do you have to be shipping Mr. Ford and Secretary Bishop?"

"What’s all this chatter about?" The gossip didn’t stop until the department manager appeared, at which point everyone fell deathly silent.

*

"Mr. Ford, my mother has been discharged from the hospital. I have you to thank for everything. If you hadn’t covered her medical expenses in advance... Please, rest assured, I’ll save up and pay you back as soon as possible."

Crystal Bishop wore a simple business suit, yet her face held a youthful innocence that seemed at odds with her age. She had delicate features, and her eyes were as clear and pure as a spring.

Walter Ford, wearing a pair of gold-rimmed glasses, smiled. "Don’t be so formal with me, Crystal. I was happy to help. Haven’t I told you that many times? If you keep being so polite, I’m actually going to get upset. If you really want to thank me... I have a cruise party with some friends on Tuesday. Why don’t you be my date and come with me?"

Crystal Bishop instinctively took a step back. "Mr. Ford, that’s... that’s not appropriate. Your close friends will all be at the cruise party, and you have a fiancée. It would be incredibly disrespectful to Ms. Jenna Shaw if I went."

A look of disgust crossed Walter Ford’s face at the mention of her name. "What does she matter? I’m just humoring the Shaw Family. If she hadn’t clung to me like glue back then, do you think I would’ve ever gotten engaged to her?! I can’t stand how brash she is. Every time I take her out, my friends make fun of me behind my back."

Crystal Bishop covered her mouth. "But... Ms. Shaw is so beautiful..."

"Beautiful? She’s a total tomboy! If she were a guy, I’d be happy to be buds with her, but she just had to be a woman..."

"Mr. Ford... Walter Vance, don’t be angry." Crystal Bishop poured a cup of tea and handed it to him. "See if this is okay. If the water’s not the right temperature, I’ll get you another one."

As Walter Ford took the teacup, he also grabbed her hand. Startled, Crystal Bishop scrambled a step back.

Walter Ford looked a little crestfallen, but he remained patient.

He’d had several girlfriends before, and every relationship had been effortless. But then he met Crystal Bishop. He had fallen for her at first sight, yet he couldn’t seem to win her over. No amount of affection, care, or even offers of property had any effect. The desire to conquer her festered within him, and a look of absolute determination glinted in his eyes.

"I’m sorry, Crystal. That was impulsive of me. But..." His eyes narrowed slightly behind his glasses, a look of deep emotion in them. "I’ve done so much for you. Do you really not understand my feelings? Do you really not know why I’m doing all this?"

"Mr. Ford..."

Suddenly, a knock at the door shattered the intimate atmosphere in the room.

"Mr. Ford, Ms. Shaw is here to see you."

Crystal Bishop retreated several steps, a hurt expression on her face.

"Let her in," Walter Ford said impatiently.

Jenna Shaw walked in and paused for a moment when she saw Crystal Bishop. "I need to speak with Walter Vance," she said. "You can leave now."

Crystal Bishop didn’t move, instinctively looking toward Walter Ford.

Walter Ford’s gaze was icy. "What is it that’s so secretive you can’t say it in front of someone else? Can’t you see I’m in a meeting with my secretary?"

"Walter Ford." Jenna Shaw was getting angry now, too. She set the pastry box on the desk. "I stood in line since this morning to buy these for you, and you’re this harsh to me?!"

Staring at the box of pastries, Walter Ford seemed to drift off, his resolve wavering slightly.

Ever since he’d mentioned he liked the pastries from that shop, Jenna Shaw had gone to wait in line every single Monday, without fail. He knew the line was notoriously long and that it always took her two hours.

"Mr. Ford." Crystal Bishop’s voice pulled him from his thoughts.

"Fine. I’ll take the pastries," Walter Ford said, his voice softening slightly. "You should go home for now. I’ll come see you when I’m not so busy."

"I’ll go, but on one condition: fire her first," Jenna Shaw said, pointing directly at Crystal Bishop.

Tears instantly welled up in Crystal Bishop’s eyes. "No, please, I beg you, don’t fire me."

Walter Ford’s temper flared again. "Jenna Shaw, why must you always act like a spoiled princess?"

Startled by his harsh tone, Jenna Shaw bit her lip. "She’s just a secretary, isn’t she?" she retorted. "Why are you yelling at me? In your heart, am I less important than she is?"

Her voice was steady, but the rims of her eyes had quietly turned red.

"Why do you always have to push me? Jenna, how many times do I have to tell you? My relationship with her is strictly professional! Must you turn my life completely upside down? Secretary Bishop has been with me for a long time, and we have a good understanding. Do you think it’s easy to find a replacement I can work with so well?"

Crystal Bishop dropped to her knees with a thud, tears streaming down her face. "Please, Ms. Shaw, I’m begging you," she cried. "My mother is sick, and I’m the only one supporting my family. I really can’t lose this job. I’ll kowtow to you, please? I’ll kowtow!"

Walter Ford rushed to stop her, then turned and roared at Jenna, "Get out!"

Jenna Shaw turned and walked out, tears streaming uncontrollably down her face.

Walter Ford looked down at the pitiful sight of Crystal Bishop on the floor and said coldly, "You get out, too."

"Mr. Ford?" Crystal Bishop looked up in disbelief, forgetting even to wipe her tears away.

"I told you to get out. Didn’t you hear me?" Though he looked refined and gentle in his glasses, his gaze was so vicious he looked like he could devour someone whole.

Sensing his agitation, Crystal Bishop didn’t dare to linger. She got up and left.

Walter Ford picked up the box of pastries from the desk, ready to toss it in the trash. But a second later, his hand tightened around it. After a moment of internal conflict, he slammed the box back down on the desk instead.