The Villain Mom Awakens — Going Viral by Parenting on a Reality Show-Chapter 351: Rich Wives’ Gathering

The next day, Naomi Kenway came downstairs after freshening up, a camera crew already set up beside her.

"Where are Mr. Shaw and Ian?" the assistant director asked.

"Ethan Shaw went to work early this morning, and Ian is still sleeping." Naomi Kenway glanced at the time. "It’s about time. Let’s go upstairs and wake him up for breakfast!"

As she walked upstairs, Naomi Kenway voiced a question that had been on her mind. "It’s strange, there haven’t been any mission cards lately. That’s really not your production team’s style!"

The assistant director replied, "This season’s format is a little different. We’re filming at home, so the main goal is to capture your daily parent-child interactions. We held an online poll before this season, and filming at home was the most popular request. Viewers are very curious about how our guests get along with their kids in a normal home setting."

Naomi Kenway nodded in understanding, then tiptoed into Ian’s room and gently woke him.

Ian Shaw wasn’t cranky when he woke up, but he was very clingy in the morning. He stretched lazily, his eyes still full of sleep, then wrapped his arms around Naomi Kenway’s neck and kissed her on the cheek. His voice was still thick with drowsiness. "Morning kiss, Mommy."

Gazing at Ian’s round, chubby cheeks, Naomi Kenway’s heart melted.

Naomi Kenway still remembered what Ian looked like at eighteen. His newly adult body was as thin as a beanpole, so frail he looked like he would topple over in a strong wind. He was sullen and withdrawn, never wanting to speak to anyone. His handsome, deep-set face was gaunt, his cheeks sunken. His eyes, though dark and bright, were like an impenetrable wall, shutting everyone out. 𝙧𝙚𝙚𝔀𝒆𝓫𝓷𝙤𝓿𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝙤𝓶

"Mommy, why are you crying?"

A pair of soft little hands touched her face, and a familiar, sweet voice pulled Naomi Kenway from her thoughts.

"Mommy, don’t cry. Ian will stay with you. Please don’t cry, Mommy."

’Did I cry?’ Naomi Kenway reached up to wipe her face and realized there were indeed tears. When she saw that Ian’s grape-like eyes were also welling up, she quickly wiped her own face. "Mommy’s not crying. Mommy just spaced out for a second. Don’t you cry, Ian. Mommy’s okay."

Hearing Naomi Kenway’s explanation, Ian finally stopped crying. "Were you thinking about something sad, Mommy?"

Naomi Kenway didn’t know how to answer. She held Ian’s small hand—soft, warm, and squishy. The touch gave her a sense of being grounded in reality. She pulled Ian into her arms again. "Mommy is just so happy thinking about getting to watch my baby grow up."

Ian’s little face quietly turned red. "Mommy, why are you suddenly saying such cheesy things?"

’Ian is so skinny. It would be better if he were a little chubbier...’

"Am I really skinny?" Ian’s troubled voice piped up. He lifted his T-shirt, revealing a section of his soft, pale belly. He took Naomi Kenway’s hand and made her poke his tummy. "Look, Mommy, I’m not skinny. Grandma Warren says my belly is a little watermelon."

Ian’s voice pulled Naomi Kenway back to reality. She looked down at his round little belly and let out a snort of laughter.

Ian’s face grew even redder. He covered his belly and turned his head away. "Mommy, you’re being a bully! You’re laughing at me! I’m going on a diet!"

"No," Naomi Kenway said quickly. "I was just laughing because I think your round tummy is cute."

"Really?"

"Of course, it’s true," Naomi Kenway said. "You’re still little, so it’s normal to have baby fat. It’ll go away when you get older."

Ian nodded in understanding, then asked, "So does Mommy like me with baby fat or without baby fat?"

"I love you no matter what, as long as you’re healthy." Naomi Kenway added, "All that matters is that you’re healthy and well."

*

After dropping Ian off at school, Naomi Kenway received an invitation from Mrs. Grant. It was for a tea party that several other ladies would be attending, all of whom were acquaintances.

Naomi Kenway had no other plans for the morning. Before accepting, she first explained to Mrs. Grant that she was filming a show and a camera crew would be following her everywhere. Mrs. Grant messaged back saying she didn’t mind at all and would be delighted to have her, so Naomi Kenway had the family driver take her to Mrs. Grant’s house.

As soon as she arrived at the villa’s entrance, she saw Serena Grant coming over to greet her with a smile. "We were just waiting for you."

Serena Grant had invited a total of three people. Besides Naomi Kenway, there were Gwendolyn Gunn and Megan Thorne, all familiar faces from their social circle.

Naomi Kenway was usually busy with filming and didn’t attend these gatherings often, but that didn’t diminish the other wives’ enthusiasm upon seeing her.

They chatted for a full half-hour before Serena Grant led them to the backyard for refreshments. The backyard was impeccably maintained, with breathtaking scenery. The table was laden with exquisite pastries and tea.

"These were all made by my family’s pastry chef. I specifically chose a few things that I know you all usually enjoy. I hope you like them."

"Mrs. Grant, how could you say that? We love them," Megan Thorne said.

Serena Grant smiled, then turned to Naomi Kenway. "Mrs. Shaw, do you like them?"

"They’re lovely. Thank you for your thoughtfulness."

"Come, please sit here." Serena Grant guided Naomi Kenway to the seat of honor.

Naomi Kenway said, "Mrs. Grant, you are the hostess and our senior. This seat should be yours."

"Oh, don’t be so formal," Serena Grant said. "We don’t fuss over such things. Please, Mrs. Shaw, sit down."

Naomi Kenway no longer declined and sat down.

Serena Grant sat down in the seat next to Naomi Kenway and began to familiarly introduce the desserts on the table.

[A rich wives’ party? Is this something a simpleton like me is allowed to watch? I can’t believe I’m seeing a real-life rich wives’ party. Nina is really broadening my horizons!]

[Holy crap, what is Naomi Kenway’s background? The rich wives at this table are all heavy hitters! They’re the wives of famous entrepreneurs—Mrs. Grant, wife of Reed Edison, Mrs. Morgan of Prosper Holdings, and Mrs. Gunn of Jiaju Corp. These are all top-tier people!]

[Hasn’t anyone noticed Naomi Kenway is sitting in the seat of honor? And Mrs. Grant was the one who asked her to sit there. For her to take the main seat when she’s clearly younger and less experienced than the other three means her status must be higher than theirs.]

[Look at how attentive and warm the other three wives are being. Naomi Kenway’s background must be insane. Now I’m 99% sure she’s from the Shaw Family. People are always saying she’s just putting on an act, but what about the attitude of these rich wives? It’s pathetic how the gossip accounts are still trying to spin this like she’s just some actress.]

[I know Mrs. Morgan! She was trending a while ago for furiously slapping some homewrecker celebrity. I vividly remember how fierce she looked. I can’t believe she can be this calm and good-tempered.]

[Nina, from now on, you’re my only connection to the world of the super-rich!! You’re my one and only queen of the entertainment industry!!]

[The world of the rich ladies!]

[To be able to attend a private party like this, even if she isn’t from the Shaw Family, she must be from an incredibly wealthy family.]