Renee Jennings was stunned by Naomi Kenway's gaze. When she came to her senses, she cursed herself internally. 'How could I be intimidated by a good-for-nothing loser like Naomi Kenway?'
After barely composing herself, Renee Jennings said softly, "Don't be nervous, Nina. I'm actually here to bring you breakfast."
It didn't matter that Ian Shaw couldn't see. At least the viewers in the livestream chat saw it, so her goal was mostly accomplished.
"Breakfast?" Naomi Kenway looked down at the steamed buns she was holding.
"Yes." Renee Jennings smiled, her fair, pretty face a picture of sincerity. "I got up a bit early and figured you and Annie probably hadn't eaten yet, Nina, so I brought your share over."
"They're fresh steamed buns. I know you're used to gourmet food and probably look down on simple fare like this, Nina, but the production team said the harsh conditions are necessary to achieve the show's goal of authenticity. I was just chatting with Pearl on the way over, and she mentioned there were supposed to be stuffed buns, but I was the first one there and didn't see any. I guess that was just a trick. All the guests are having steamed buns with pickles. It's not like I'm intentionally giving you the worst food, Nina. I even got an extra egg for Annie."
"Oh, and look, Nina. The breakfast Mona and I are having is steamed buns, too."
Renee Jennings held the steamed buns out to Naomi Kenway. "Please, just take them, Nina."
If Naomi Kenway accepted the breakfast, she would be indebted to her. If she didn't, it would only reinforce her image as a diva in the viewers' eyes.
"Stuffed buns? You mean the ones on the table?" Naomi Kenway tilted her head slightly, gesturing for her to look inside.
Renee Jennings froze for a moment, a growing sense of foreboding in her heart. She followed Naomi Kenway's gaze and saw two stuffed buns and an egg sitting on the new table inside the adobe house...
The turn of events hit her like a club to the head. Renee Jennings was stunned for a long moment, her voice catching with utter confusion. "How are they here with you? How are the stuffed buns with you..."
Naomi Kenway leisurely flicked her long hair back, her tone teasing. "What do you think? Why would the one and only special breakfast end up here with me?"
The color drained from Renee Jennings's face.
"I got up at four-thirty this morning to get breakfast. I appreciate the kind thought, Miss Jennings, but you should probably give this breakfast to someone who needs it."
"Mommy..." Ian Shaw's voice called out. It was faint, but Naomi Kenway recognized it instantly. She was no longer in the mood to play games with Renee Jennings. "Something's come up. You should head back."
Silence fell around them, but Renee Jennings couldn't snap out of it for a long time. 'My plan was so foolproof. Who would have thought I'd run into the worst and most impossible scenario?'
'How could Naomi Kenway have suddenly become so diligent?'
Mindful of the cameras around her, Renee Jennings quickly composed her expression and forced a smile.
"Mr. Jennings, are you all right? Are you not feeling well?" a nearby staff member asked with concern.
Renee Jennings smiled, her expression returning to normal. "Ah... I'm fine. I just didn't sleep well last night, so I'm a little dizzy, a little dizzy..."
She walked away with slow, listless steps.
*
Naomi Kenway went into the back room. Ian Shaw was already up and had gotten himself dressed.
The buttons on his denim jacket were done up perfectly straight, and his shoes weren't on the wrong feet.
"Did one of the cameramen help you get dressed?"
Ian Shaw shook his head, his childish voice clear. "Annie dressed himself."
"Then Mommy will take you to brush your teeth."
"Annie already brushed his teeth."
A child's independence was a good thing, but the reason for Ian Shaw's independence was far too cruel—and arguably, it was all her own doing.
Naomi Kenway's heart ached with a bittersweet feeling, but she put a huge smile on her face. "Annie can dress himself and brush his own teeth! You're so amazing!"
Ian Shaw had never been praised by anyone before. His eyes grew even brighter. "Really?"
His teachers said he was quiet and withdrawn, and the other kids said they didn't like playing with him.
No one had ever called him amazing.
"Of course! You're the best! You're the smartest, most adorable child Mommy has ever seen!"
Ian Shaw suddenly covered his cheeks, but the blush coloring his pale earlobes gave him away.
[OMG Annie is blushing! So cute, I wanna squish his cheeks!! He can even put on complicated clothes by himself. Annie is seriously amazing!]
[Putting everything else aside, I really love Naomi Kenway's praise-based parenting style.]
[Annie is cute and well-behaved, but he's a little shy around strangers, and also a bit... not too bright. It's a shame. If only he were as smart as Mona—able to recite the Three Character Classic backwards and forwards and great at socializing!]
[I really don't get how someone can tear down one kid to praise another. What's your problem, poster above? And where did you get that Annie isn't smart? Did Annie whisper in your ear and tell you he's not very bright?]
[I don't understand why the person above is attacking me. I'm just expressing my own opinion. All the other guests' kids have huge vocabularies and are great at math problems. If Annie were really that smart, don't you think Naomi Kenway would be showing him off? All I'm saying is that Annie is a pretty average kid. Besides his looks, he's miles behind the other kids on the show!]
[Maybe Naomi Kenway is just more low-key. Not showing off doesn't mean he's got nothing to show!]
...
"Mommy, what are we eating?"
Ian Shaw's attitude toward Naomi Kenway had changed significantly. He was no longer as sensitively fearful of her as he had been before. However, Naomi knew there was still a barrier between her and her son, and only time could break it down.
Naomi Kenway took his small hand. "We're having stuffed buns today. Do you like that?"
"I do!"
*
After returning to the small villa, Renee Jennings unsurprisingly ran into Ruby Preston, who had been waiting for a long time. She spent a great deal of energy explaining herself. Ruby Preston seemed to have accepted it in the end, but her expression was still not pleasant.
'It seems I've left a bad impression on Director Preston this time.'
Of all the guests, Ruby Preston was the last one Renee Jennings wanted to anger. After all, Preston was an internationally famous director. After gaining popularity from this parenting show, she hoped to develop her career in the film industry. Getting on good terms with Director Preston during this reality show would be a huge boost for her career in entertainment.
As Renee Jennings was lost in thought, trying to come up with a way to please Ruby Preston, she almost collided with Nathan Lynch at the door.
Nathan Lynch hugged her leg, his voice tinged with tears. "Mommy, why did you take so long to come back? It's so empty here, Mona is so scared..."
Renee Jennings was mentally and physically exhausted. She forced a smile as she faced Nathan Lynch. "Mona, isn't Mommy back now?" She held up the now-cold steamed buns in her hand. "Mommy brought you back some breakfast."
"Mommy's the best!" Nathan Lynch's face lit up with excitement, but then he heard Renee Jennings ask, "Have you finished the math problems I gave you to do?"