The Villain Mom Awakens — Going Viral by Parenting on a Reality Show-Chapter 268: Choosing a House

A shy smile appeared on Nathan Lynch’s face.

Naomi Kenway instinctively ruffled his hair. Seeing his innocent smile, her heart ached for him.

’I wonder how Victor Vance’s investigation is going.’ After this trip, she had to tell him what was happening on the show. Nathan wasn’t having nearly as good a time as Victor Vance imagined.

Jared Woods’s chocolate held a toy model of a skyscraper, Carina Sanders’s had a toy Christmas tree, and Simon Sawyer’s contained a toy motorcycle. The children adored them and couldn’t bear to put them down.

After the meal, the guests stood up to thank the village chief and the villagers who had performed for them.

The guide picked up a bullhorn and announced, "First, a huge thank you to our village chief and the villagers for their warm hospitality! Now, if everyone would please follow me, we’ll head to the houses where you’ll be staying for this trip!"

Chelsea Raines asked in surprise, "We’re going to see them in person this time? Don’t we usually just look at photos?" She grumbled, "Who knows how long it’ll take to see five different houses one by one. And in this heat..." Her voice trailed off, but it was clear she was muttering a complaint under her breath.

"The houses are very close to each other. Everyone, please follow me."

Grumbling aside, when she saw that the main group was leaving her and her son behind, she quickly grabbed Jared Woods’s hand and hurried to catch up.

They reached their destination in just three minutes. Before them stood a unique and beautiful building. Stepping inside, they found a vast interior spanning three floors—large enough to comfortably house twenty people.

The guide said, "This is the building where you’ll be choosing your houses. It’s a communal residence with five adjacent units. I’ll take you up to the second floor for a look."

With that, the guide led the guests up a wooden staircase. "The first floor is the common area, mainly the kitchen and storage rooms," he explained as they ascended. "The third floor has been unused for some time and hasn’t been cleaned, so we won’t be going up there."

In the blink of an eye, they reached the second floor. The guide led them through each of the five houses. Though they were close together, each unit had its own distinct layout and character.

After the tour, the guests had a clear sense of the options. House Number Four was the standout favorite. It was sun-facing, with a lavishly decorated interior and a vibrant carpet that exuded local charm.

While not as luxurious as Number Four, Houses One, Two, and Three were still exquisitely furnished. House Number Five was, as usual, the most dilapidated of the bunch. It had pitifully little furniture, and the floor was slightly damp and bare. The guide explained that it had previously been a storeroom before being converted into a bedroom.

Once the tour was complete, the group returned downstairs.

Chelsea Raines asked impatiently, "When do we start? It’s so hot out. Let’s just pick the houses already. If we have to play a game, let’s get it over with. We shouldn’t be wasting time standing out here in the sun."

The guide smiled. "Considering the heat and how tired everyone must be from traveling, we’ve thoughtfully made a little tweak to the usual rules—just for this episode, though. No promises for the next one."

"Stop dragging it out," Chelsea Raines urged. "Just tell us."

"You won’t have to play any games today, because the order for choosing houses has already been decided."

Margaret Jennings’s eyes widened. "It’s already been decided? When did that happen? How come we didn’t know?"

"Do you all remember the chocolates the kids picked out earlier?"

It dawned on Ruby Preston. "So the order for picking houses has something to do with the chocolates?"

"To be precise, it has to do with the toys inside the chocolates," the guide said.

A staff member then walked over holding a whiteboard, and the guide reached out to help steady it. "To make it easier for everyone to see, we’ve written down the key for the selection order on this board."

Naomi Kenway took a few steps closer and saw the black writing on the board was perfectly clear.

The guide explained, "As you can see, the gold ingot corresponds to the number 1, the race car to the number 2, the Christmas tree to the number 3, the motorcycle to the number 4, and the skyscraper to the number 5."

He observed everyone’s expressions with a grin. "That’s right, it’s exactly what you’re thinking. The number you got determines your turn in the selection order."

"So, in order, that’s Nathan first, Ian second, Carina third, Sean fourth, and Jared fifth."

Upon hearing the order, Chelsea Raines immediately started complaining, pointing at Jared Woods. "How could your luck be so terrible? I should have just picked for you!"

Jared Woods was never one to take a scolding lying down. He started blaming Chelsea Raines right back, and the two quickly fell into a bickering match, neither willing to concede.

When Ian heard he wasn’t first, his spirits fell. He tugged on Naomi Kenway’s hand. "Mommy, we don’t get to pick our house first."

Naomi Kenway sensed his disappointment and comforted him with a smile. "Second place is amazing! There’s no need to be sad, Ian. Besides, you got the little race car you wanted most, didn’t you?"

Ian nodded vigorously at that.

Renee Jennings walked gleefully over to Nathan Lynch’s side, her face beaming. "Our Nathan is so lucky!"

The guide came over and asked, "Nathan, which house would you like to choose?"

Before Nathan Lynch could answer, Renee Jennings coughed pointedly beside him. "I think Number Four is nice, Nathan..."

As if worried Nathan Lynch hadn’t heard her clearly, Renee Jennings repeated herself twice.

An annoyed look crossed Nathan Lynch’s face. He deliberately rejected her suggestion and said nonchalantly, "Number Two."

Renee Jennings was stunned. "Nathan, Number Four is the best one..."

The guide leaned down to ask, "Number Two? Nathan, are you sure you want Number Two?"

Ignoring Renee Jennings’s voice, Nathan Lynch said firmly, "I want Number Two."

When Renee Jennings saw Nathan Lynch return with the key to House Number Two, she was exasperated. "I know you’re doing this to spite me, but did you have to go this far? I’m not the only one living there. Do you insist on torturing yourself too, Nathan?"

Nathan Lynch looked at her with an innocent expression. "I’m not torturing myself. I just like House Number Two. You’re only miserable because you’re the one who always has to have the best."

Renee Jennings was speechless, unable to think of a comeback. An inexplicable frustration filled her, her mood completely ruined by Nathan Lynch.

’This disobedient little brat!’

Ian Shaw was next to choose, and he walked up to the guide and took the key for House Number Four. Ian was a sensitive boy, especially when it came to the people he cared about, and he knew his mom had liked House Number Four the best.

Ian threw himself into Naomi Kenway’s arms and handed her the key.

Renee Jennings watched this, grinding her teeth in anger. The prize she’d had in her grasp had just flown away.

She glanced to the side and saw Nathan Lynch watching Naomi Kenway and her son, a happy smile on his face.

For Renee Jennings, it was like a punch to the gut. She was so furious she could have spat blood.

’How dare Nathan Lynch side with an outsider!’