The Villain Mom Awakens — Going Viral by Parenting on a Reality Show-Chapter 55 - 56: Renee Jennings Is Not My Mother

Laura Grant stopped in her tracks. She turned around and, for the first time, truly looked at the scandal-ridden celebrity she so disdained.

"What is it? I’ve made myself perfectly clear. You lack the talent. Even without Renee Jennings, I still wouldn’t consider you."

"I may not be talented, but I have money!" Naomi Kenway said slowly. "Running around everywhere, trying to find a cure for your husband... I really want to help you."

"You investigated me?!" Laura Grant whipped her head around. Her clothes were still exquisite, but they couldn’t hide the haggard look and the dark circles under her eyes, all born from excessive worry.

"Ms. Grant has been asking everyone in the industry for help to save her husband. The reason you chose Renee Jennings wasn’t because you saw her potential, but because she could give you a huge sum of money, right? I have some connections in the industry and just happened to hear about it. But I genuinely want to give you a hand."

Naomi Kenway said, "But money alone can’t guarantee a cure, can it? As it happens, I know an internationally renowned brain specialist, a Mr. Leo Lennox. If you’re interested, I can make an introduction."

Leo Lennox?!

’She’d tried to contact Leo Lennox countless times, but had never received a reply.’

Laura Grant froze, seemingly weighing the truth in Naomi Kenway’s words.

"It seems you don’t trust me. In that case, this meeting really is as meaningless as you said." With that, Naomi Kenway stood up and grabbed her bag.

"Wait!" Laura Grant hurried over. "We... we can talk more."

Years of exorbitant medical bills had all but drained Laura Grant’s savings. She was on the verge of giving up hope, but just then, Naomi Kenway offered her another ray of light.

Naomi Kenway smiled, watching as Laura Grant sat back down across from her.

"You help me clean up my image and build my popularity, and I’ll give you what you want. We’ll both get what we need."

"The specialist you mentioned..."

"I’ll contact him for you after we sign the contract."

"Are you sure you’re not lying to me?"

"You can also choose not to believe me."

Laura Grant clenched her fists. "I agree."

She had no other choice. Believing was her only path forward.

*

Top agent Laura Grant suddenly posted an announcement that she would be partnering with Naomi Kenway. The move instantly caused a massive uproar online.

[Weird stuff happens every year, but this year takes the cake. Am I still dreaming?!!]

[Didn’t Renee Jennings post something hinting that she was going to sign with Laura Grant? What’s going on? How did the person suddenly change?]

[AHHHHHHH, MS. GRANT, ARE YOU BLIND?! There are so many stars in this industry, why on earth did you pick Naomi Kenway?!]

[This... I never would have imagined this! Did Naomi Kenway invest in her or something? After all, with all those scandals, there’s no way Laura Grant would favor her on her own, right?]

[Go Naomi Kenway! I hope Nina gets better and better! It’s a surprise, for sure, but Ms. Grant has great judgment!]

...

*

When Renee Jennings heard that Laura Grant had announced her partnership with Naomi Kenway, she was thunderstruck. Forgetting all about helping Nathan Lynch with his homework, she jumped up and angrily called Laura Grant.

"Mom..." Nathan Lynch called out, his voice timid.

Renee Jennings was in no mood to deal with him. After a moment, the call finally connected.

"Ms. Grant, how could you lie to me? Didn’t we already have an agreement? How could you back out at the last minute?!"

She tried her best to suppress her anger. 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝒆𝒘𝙚𝓫𝙣𝙤𝒗𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

"I only said I would consider it. Naomi Kenway had a better offer, so naturally, I chose her." Laura Grant’s voice was calm and unhurried.

’Naomi Kenway’s advantage? What kind of advantage could she possibly have?!’

"I can offer more money than Naomi Kenway."

Renee Jennings said through gritted teeth. ’The price she was offering was already her limit, though she could probably get a bit more if she acted cute with Christina Lynch.’

"...It’s not about the money."

"Then what is it? Just tell me, and I’ll solve it for you."

"Naomi Kenway has already helped me get in touch with Dr. Leo Lennox. Can you do that?"

Renee Jennings was speechless for a moment. "Have you been scammed? Dr. Lennox is incredibly elusive. He’s always focused on his medical research. How could Naomi Kenway possibly get in touch with him?!"

"I’ve already met with Dr. Lennox." Laura Grant didn’t seem to want to argue any further. "I’m hanging up."

"Ms. Grant..."

BEEP BEEP BEEP...

Renee Jennings bit her lower lip hard and threw her phone. It smashed into an antique vase in the bedroom, letting out a loud CRASH.

Nathan Lynch whipped his head around, terrified.

The door clicked open, and Christina Lynch walked in anxiously. "What’s wrong?"

He was nearly forty but well-maintained and handsome. His gaze fell on the shattered vase, and Christina Lynch said, heartbroken, "That’s the vase I just won at auction last month. How did it break?"

Renee Jennings walked over and said gently, "Don’t blame Mona. It’s all my fault for pushing him so hard with his studies. It’s normal for children to have tantrums."

Nathan Lynch’s eyes turned red as he retorted in a small voice, "I didn’t..."

Christina Lynch turned around, the very picture of a strict father. "Nathan Lynch, how many times have I told you not to lie? Why won’t you learn to behave? You even dared to throw your mother’s phone! You’re completely out of control!"

"I didn’t... I didn’t..." Tears rolled down Nathan Lynch’s cheeks.

"Boys don’t cry! Now, stop those tears!"

Nathan Lynch covered his face with his sleeve, sobbing. "I said I didn’t do it! My stepmom did it! You’re all bullying me! I want my mom! I want Grandma!!"

Renee Jennings froze.

The word "stepmom" was a sensitive one for Christina Lynch. Furious, he pointed a finger at Nathan Lynch. "How many times have I told you? Rachel is your mother! You only have one mother!"

"She’s not!" Nathan Lynch yelled. "She’s not! She’s not my mom! My mom went abroad!"

"You..."

Christina Lynch suddenly pulled Renee Jennings out of the bedroom and slammed the door shut. "You stay in there and think about what you’ve done, Nathan Lynch!"

Renee Jennings tugged on Christina Lynch’s sleeve and said worriedly, "You’re too harsh with Mona. What if you scared him?"

Christina Lynch was fuming, looking nothing like his gentle, refined on-screen persona. "What did I do to deserve such an ungrateful brat! You help him with his homework, you take him to and from school every day, and he still won’t accept you. His head is full of that irresponsible woman, Victor Vance!"

Renee Jennings gave a bitter smile. "It’s alright. Children just need time to adjust. I believe that one day, Mona will accept me completely. You shouldn’t always blame him. I can never even bring myself to scold him, and yet you yelled at him so fiercely..."

As she spoke, tears welled up in her eyes.

Christina Lynch’s heart ached for her. He pulled her into his arms, comforting her gently, his resentment toward Nathan Lynch growing even stronger.

Inside the bedroom, Nathan Lynch cried until his eyes were red and swollen.

’He really wanted to call his mom, but he didn’t have her number. They all said his mom didn’t want him anymore...’