The Villain Mom Awakens — Going Viral by Parenting on a Reality Show-Chapter 414 - 416: Face-slapping

"You can say that again. If I had such a brilliant grandson, I’d probably be too happy to sleep at night. That’s not something you can get just by being envious. Our family is wealthy, but looking back, we’ve never had a single scientist, let alone a five-year-old prodigy. That boy has a limitless future. When Ian comes back, I have to bring my own grandson over to soak up some of his good luck."

"Ian is a true Shaw, through and through. Everyone in the Shaw family is exceptional. The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree! I’d say Ian is every bit as smart as Ethan was back in the day!"

Hearing this, Jane Chandler couldn’t help but straighten her back proudly. But in the next moment, she heard someone say:

"Shh, you can’t talk about that in front of Jane. Didn’t she cut ties with her daughter-in-law and grandson ages ago? Quick, change the subject!"

The surrounding crowd looked at Jane Chandler in shock and disbelief.

Jane Chandler’s expression iced over. She glared at the woman. "What nonsense are you spouting?! Don’t you dare try to stir up trouble in my family, or you’ll regret it!"

*

After a two-day, two-night trip, Naomi Kenway and Ethan Shaw returned home with their son and the rest of the group on the morning of the third day.

Right as they exited the airport, Naomi Kenway noticed the crowd waiting for them was exceptionally large. Most people were holding signs with Ian’s name, cheering enthusiastically.

’Maybe it’s because Ian just had his birthday? But this many people still seems like too much.’

Naomi Kenway was a little puzzled but still had Ian warmly greet the fans around them.

It wasn’t until she got home and opened Weibo that Naomi Kenway finally understood what had happened. It turned out ST had officially acknowledged its connection to Ian. He had gone from being the "son of a celebrity" to a five-year-old genius prodigy contributing to the nation. Next to his own accomplishments, the "celebrity kid" label was practically meaningless.

Now, when people mentioned Ian Shaw, their first thought wouldn’t be "the son of the celebrity Naomi Kenway" or "the young master of the Shaw Group." They would think of the scientific prodigy. It was an identity all his own, not just a reflection of someone else’s fame.

Seeing the unanimous praise and adoration for Ian online, Naomi Kenway was happy but also a little worried.

Ian’s fanbase had multiplied several times over. Many people left comments online saying they wanted a photo with him. Some even said they wanted to come to their estate to dig up some soil for good luck.

Naomi Kenway worried that living under such an intense spotlight would be difficult for Ian.

She went straight to Ian’s room to ask him what he thought about it.

Naomi Kenway knew that even though her son was young, he was already very mature and capable of independent thought.

Ian didn’t have much of a reaction and seemed quite nonchalant about it.

Naomi Kenway couldn’t help but feel relieved. But when she remembered being chased by fanatical fans on their way home, she still instructed the butler to assign a few more bodyguards to Ian.

During dinner, the butler suddenly entered, holding a gift box. "This is from Mrs. Chandler," he said. "She said it’s a birthday gift for Ian."

Ian’s face stiffened. "I don’t want it! Grandma doesn’t like me, and I don’t like her either!"

Naomi Kenway set down her chopsticks and glanced at the gift box.

The box was exquisitely wrapped, clearly containing something valuable. Jane Chandler had never put in this much effort before.

’It’s not like we’re short on money, though.’

’What a coincidence. Why send a gift only *after* Ian becomes famous? She must have seen an opportunity and decided to send a gift to patch things up. Naomi could just picture Jane agonizing over the decision before finally resolving to mend their relationship. But things in this world don’t always go her way.’

Naomi Kenway shot it a cool glance. "If she wanted to give a birthday present, why didn’t she come in person? This is so half-hearted. Besides, didn’t we agree to have nothing to do with each other? This gift is too valuable; we can’t accept it. Take it back."

The butler hesitated. "Well..."

He glanced at Ethan Shaw.

Ethan Shaw paused in feeding Ian and asked coolly, "Did you not hear what my wife said? Go on, then."

The butler quickly took the gift and left.

Naomi Kenway gave Ethan Shaw an amused look. "That was a gift from your mother, you know. Aren’t you afraid she’ll be angry with you for siding with me like that?"

"I know what’s right and what’s wrong. Besides..." Ethan Shaw said, "My mom has plenty of people to support her. But you’re different. If I don’t stand by your side, who knows how others will treat you. I can’t bear to see you get bullied."

Naomi Kenway smiled. "Thanks."

Ethan Shaw looked like he wanted to say more, but he held his tongue, simply lowering his gaze with a small smile.

*

"What? She didn’t accept it? She sent the gift back?!" Jane Chandler looked from the dejected servant to the gift on the table, so furious she nearly flipped it. "Where was Ethan? What about Ian? Didn’t either of them say anything? They just let that woman Naomi return my gift?!"

She roared.

The servant instinctively lowered their head. "I don’t know if they said anything, but the butler from the estate did return the gift."

"Useless trash!" Jane Chandler cursed, slumping onto the sofa, seething. "The nerve! This is completely outrageous! Ethan and Ian just let that woman humiliate me like that?!"

"What’s with all the yelling so late at night?" Susan Hughes said, descending the stairs supported by a maid, with Jenna Shaw trailing behind her.

Jenna Shaw pouted. "Mom’s been like this constantly. She flies off the handle over nothing and always ends up taking it out on me!"

Susan Hughes snorted. "Your mother has a foul temper; she’s always been this way. If you can’t handle her, just stay out of her way. After all, no one in this family can control her."

Jane Chandler pointed indignantly at the gift box on the table. "And you wonder why I’m angry? My birthday gift for Ian was sent back!"

Susan Hughes ambled over to her side. "Good. It’s like the fox guarding the henhouse. Who wouldn’t be wary of that?"

Jane Chandler’s eyes widened. "Mom, what are you trying to say?! Are you taking her side against me now?"

Susan Hughes lowered herself onto the sofa, leaning on her cane. "What do you want me to say? You were the one who couldn’t stand them and insisted on cutting ties. Now you’re the one shamelessly trying to crawl back into their good graces..."

"Things are different now... Besides, Ian is my grandson. Blood is thicker than water. Is Naomi really so cruel as to keep us apart?"

"Stop blaming everything on Naomi. Have you forgotten how you treated Ian? Do you really think a five-year-old has no memory? How dare you shamelessly use family as an excuse. I see what you’re really up to. You’re scheming to have Ian inherit the family business and take care of you, or at least give you some bragging rights." Susan Hughes snorted, her tone dripping with sarcasm. "You’ve always been so vain!"

"If you want them to accept you, you need to show some sincerity. Take a good look at yourself. Do you think you’ve earned it? You ignored them and put them down, but now that the boy is accomplished, you want to claim him as your own? Did you really think things would just fall into your lap?"

Jane Chandler’s face flushed with shame at the sharp rebuke.