"Who do you think you are? I don't need you to give me an out." Naomi Kenway pressed her tongue against her back teeth, her words dripping with aggression.
Chelsea Raines froze, her face flushing with humiliation and anger. "You... How can you say something so awful...?"
"You think *that's* awful? It's nothing compared to the things you've said." The irritation was clear on Naomi Kenway's face. "Once or twice is enough. Stop popping up in front of me just to be annoying."
"You... what do you mean?"
Naomi Kenway laughed, her eyes locking onto Chelsea's. "You don't know what I mean? There are plenty of ways to chase clout. Do you have to do it by making a scene in my face?"
"You..." Chelsea Raines was speechless for a moment. She had thought her scheme to gain clout by mocking Naomi Kenway was subtle enough that the oblivious woman wouldn't notice. But this time, Naomi had exposed her strategy with a single sentence.
This wasn't part of Chelsea Raines's plan. Her mind raced as beads of cold sweat formed on her forehead. "I don't know what you're talking about! Don't you dare slander me! You're just making things up! You've made a ton of your own mistakes, so are people not allowed to talk about them?"
Renee Jennings also spoke up, "Nina, you've definitely misunderstood Chelsea. She's just blunt and doesn't overthink things. Chelsea was just trying to look out for you. She has a sharp tongue but a soft heart!"
Naomi Kenway sneered. "Some blessing. You can have it. Stop trying to move people with your own self-righteousness. It's idiotic."
'If her son weren't right here, she would've marched right over and ripped the vicious masks right off their faces.'
'She'd come on this parenting show to give her son new experiences and strengthen their bond, not to waste her energy on petty scheming.'
In the end, it was Ruby Preston who walked over. She preferred peace and quiet and hated getting involved in this sort of nonsense, but letting them continue to bicker would just create a spectacle.
"Let's all stop arguing," she said. "Naomi Kenway drew this recipe herself. It's up to her what she does with it."
Chelsea Raines didn't react, but Renee Jennings's heart skipped a beat.
'Ruby Preston's words sounded impartial, but if you listened closely, they were clearly siding with Naomi Kenway.'
Ruby Preston's gaze met Renee Jennings's in mid-air. From the probing look in Renee's eyes, Ruby could guess what she was thinking. 'So Renee Jennings isn't just greedy,' Ruby thought, both amused and exasperated, 'she's also prone to wild speculation.'
With Ruby Preston stepping in, Chelsea Raines couldn't very well say anything more. She just gave a final, cold snort. "I've said my piece. You'll know to regret this when you end up making a fool of yourself."
"Looks like you've had a lot of free time since Mango TV dropped you. Can't even manage your own life, yet you have the energy to meddle in mine?"
Naomi Kenway's tone was casual, as if she were just making a lighthearted jab, but to Chelsea Raines, the words were utterly grating.
She was furious, but with Ruby Preston nearby, she ultimately just left in a huff.
Renee Jennings gave Naomi Kenway one last look over. She drew a few steps closer, her friendly smile still in place. "Perhaps I was a bit too hasty just now. I hope you won't hold it against me, Nina. It's great that you want to try something new. If you run into any trouble while cooking... I'd still be more than happy to help."
She appeared perfectly poised and gracious, then left with Nathan Lynch.
Naomi Kenway pulled her gaze away and turned to Ruby Preston. "Thank you," she said.
Ruby Preston looked a little surprised, then gave Naomi Kenway a rare smile. "It's nothing. I was just speaking the truth."
[I'm just realizing how cool Naomi is. I didn't notice until she pointed it out, but Chelsea Raines really does attack her for no reason every time they meet. Do you think Naomi's right that she's just doing it for clout?]
[Who can tell what's real and what's fake in the entertainment industry? But Chelsea Raines has definitely gone too far these last few times.]
[I feel like Renee Jennings and Chelsea Raines are guilt-tripping her. Forcing someone to give up their recipe while pretending it's for their own good... how is that any different from robbery?]
[To the person above, if you don't get it, then shut up. Renee is beautiful and kind, that's why she wanted Naomi to make something simple and avoid embarrassing herself. It's Naomi who doesn't know what's good for her!]
[Knife-cut noodles are super technical. I doubt Naomi has ever really cooked before, right? How is she going to pull this off? My second-hand embarrassment is kicking in already.]
[Didn't everyone say it was impossible when Naomi wanted to DIY that furniture? Since she accepted the challenge, maybe she can actually do it! I'm looking forward to her performance!!]
...
A sharp whistle blew, signaling the tour guide was calling everyone to assemble.
Naomi Kenway led her son towards the central area.
"I trust you've all had a moment to mentally prepare for the dishes you'll be making. Considering some of you may not be expert cooks, our main guests will have time here to research their recipes. Meanwhile, our junior guests have another mission: to go to the villagers' homes and collect ingredients for your mothers' dishes..."
He smiled, looking around at the young guests. "Kids, are you up for it?"
"We are!" they all shouted in unison.
They then went to a table to pick up their baskets.
Only Ian Shaw didn't move. He stood next to Naomi Kenway, his small hands anxiously clenching and unclenching, a lost look on his face.
Naomi Kenway immediately crouched down. "What's wrong, Ian?"
"I don't want to leave Mommy. I... I'm a little scared..."
'It was a good thing that her son was so attached to her, but he'd never grow if he always stayed by her side.'
Naomi Kenway smiled and ruffled his hair. "Ian, do you see that house with the red-tiled roof nearby? And in front of it, there's a big willow tree, so thick it would take two people to wrap their arms around it. Do you remember Grandpa and Grandma Carpenter? They're very kind people. There are so many new things waiting for you to discover here. When you come back, you can tell Mommy all about the interesting things you find, okay?"
Thinking about the people they'd met on their journey, Ian Shaw hesitated. His gaze drifted forward. 'Just how big is a big willow tree?' He suddenly wanted to go and see.
"Hey, little Ian! Come on, let's go find ingredients with us!" Carina Sanders said with a bright smile. She was wearing a princess dress but had none of the attitude to match, with a sizable bamboo basket slung over her arm.
Simon Sawyer was carrying two bamboo baskets. He held one out to Ian Shaw. "Here."
Even though Simon Sawyer was only eight, he already carried himself like a miniature adult.
Under everyone's watchful eyes, Ian Shaw took the basket, but his gaze remained on Naomi Kenway.
"Mommy..."
"You're doing great, Ian!" Naomi Kenway praised. "You've already taken the first step. Mommy is so excited to see the ingredients you bring back. Together, we'll definitely be able to make amazing knife-cut noodles, right?"
Ian Shaw slowly nodded.
"Yay, I'm so happy! Little Ian is coming with us to find ingredients!"
Carina Sanders held out her hand. "I'll hold your hand!"