"Who the hell do you think you are, that I'd need you to give me an out?" Naomi Kenway said, her voice laced with aggression as she pressed her tongue against her back molars.
Chelsea Raines froze, her face flushing with a mixture of shame and anger. "You… How can you speak so harshly…"
"You think *that's* harsh? It's nothing compared to what you've said." Impatience flashed in Naomi Kenway's eyes. "Once or twice is enough. Stop buzzing around in my face. You're getting on my nerves."
"You… What do you mean?"
Naomi Kenway laughed, her gaze locking onto her. "Do you really not know what I mean? There are plenty of ways to chase clout. Do you have to do it by prancing around in front of me, desperate for attention?"
"You…" Chelsea Raines was momentarily speechless. She'd thought she was being subtle about mocking Naomi Kenway for clout. At the very least, she figured the oblivious Naomi wouldn't catch on. But now, Naomi had laid her entire strategy bare with just a few words.
This was not part of Chelsea Raines's plan. Her mind raced as cold sweat beaded on her forehead. "I don't know what you're talking about! Stop slandering me! You're just making things up! You've caused so much trouble yourself, are you saying no one is allowed to talk about it?"
Renee Jennings chimed in, "Nina, you must have misunderstood Chelsea. She's just blunt and speaks her mind without much thought. Chelsea was only looking out for you, Nina. She has a sharp tongue but a soft heart!"
Naomi Kenway sneered. "Here, you can have this blessing. How about it? Stop trying to move people with your self-righteous assumptions. It's idiotic."
If her son hadn't been by her side, Naomi Kenway would have charged forward and torn the vicious masks right off their faces.
She had come on this family reality show to let her son experience life and to strengthen their bond. She had no desire to waste her mental energy on petty infighting.
Finally, Ruby Preston walked over. She usually preferred to keep to herself and hated getting involved in this kind of drama, but letting them go on bickering would just turn the whole thing into a farce.
"Let's all stop arguing," she said. "Naomi Kenway drew this recipe. 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 seemed impartial, but on closer listening, it was clear she was siding with Naomi Kenway.
Ruby Preston's eyes met Renee Jennings's. From Renee's probing gaze, she could guess what she was thinking. Ruby felt a mix of exasperation and amusement. 'So, Renee Jennings isn't just greedy, she also has a wild imagination.'
With Ruby Preston mediating, Chelsea Raines couldn't press the issue further. She just gave a final, cold scoff. "I've said my piece. You'll regret this when you make a fool of yourself."
"Seems like you've had a lot of free time since Mango TV dropped you," Naomi Kenway said. "You can't even manage your own life, but you think you can manage mine?"
Naomi Kenway's tone was light, as if she were just making a casual joke, but to Chelsea Raines, the words were utterly vile.
She was seething, but with Ruby Preston there, she could only storm off in a huff.
Renee Jennings gave Naomi Kenway one last look before stepping closer, her face still fixed in a friendly smile. "Perhaps I was a little too blunt just now. I hope you won't hold it against me, Nina. It's great that you want to try new things. If you run into any problems while you're cooking… I'm still more than willing to help, Nina."
She put on a show of being graceful and magnanimous before leading Nathan Lynch away.
Naomi Kenway averted her eyes and turned to Ruby Preston. "Thank you."
Ruby Preston looked slightly surprised and offered Naomi Kenway a rare smile. "It was nothing. I was just being fair."
[Just realized Naomi Kenway is kind of a badass. I didn't notice until she pointed it out, but Chelsea Raines really does go after her for no reason every single time. Is she really just doing it for clout like Naomi said?]
[Who knows what's real and fake in showbiz, but Chelsea Raines has definitely been out of line lately.]
[I feel like Renee Jennings and Chelsea Raines are totally 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 commenter above, if you don't know what you're talking about, then shut up. Rachel is beautiful and kind-hearted; she only wanted Naomi Kenway to make something simple so she wouldn't look like a fool. Naomi is the one who's ungrateful!]
[Knife-cut noodles require a lot of skill. Has Naomi Kenway even cooked more than a handful of times? How is she going to make them? Ugh, my chronic secondhand embarrassment is flaring up.]
[Didn't everyone also say it was impossible when Naomi Kenway decided to DIY that furniture? She took on the challenge, so maybe she can really pull it off! Can't wait to see what she does!!]
...
The sharp blast of a whistle cut through the air—it was the tour guide, calling everyone to assemble.
Naomi Kenway led her son toward the center of the group.
"I trust you're all mentally prepared for the dishes you'll be making. Considering some of you might not be the most experienced cooks, our guests will be able to stay here and research their recipes. As for our little guests, you have a different mission to complete—you'll be going to the villagers' homes to gather ingredients for your moms' dishes..."
He smiled as he surveyed the young guests. "So, kids, are you up for the challenge?"
"Yes!" they shouted in unison.
They then went to a table to get their baskets.
Only Ian Shaw remained still. He stood beside Naomi Kenway, his small hands clenching and unclenching nervously, a lost look on his face.
Naomi Kenway immediately crouched down. "What's wrong, Ian?"
"I don't want to leave you, Mommy. I-I'm a little scared..."
It was wonderful that her son was so close to her, but he would never learn to be independent if he was always by her side.
Naomi Kenway smiled and ruffled his hair. "Ian, do you see that house with the red roof over there? In front of it is a huge willow tree, one so thick it would take two people to wrap their arms around it. And do you remember the old carpenter and his wife? They're very kind. There are so many new things waiting for you to discover here. How about you go explore, and when you come back, you can tell Mommy all about the interesting things you saw?"
Thinking of the people they'd met on their trip, Ian Shaw hesitated. His gaze drifted into the distance. 'Just how big *was* that huge willow tree?' He found himself wanting to go and see.
"Hey, Ian, come on! Let's go find ingredients with us!" Carina Sanders called out with a cheerful laugh. Despite wearing a princess dress, she didn't have a spoiled bone in her body, and she had a large bamboo basket looped over her arm.
Simon Sawyer was carrying two bamboo baskets. He held one out to Ian Shaw. "Here."
Although Simon Sawyer was only eight, he already carried himself like a miniature adult.
With all eyes on him, Ian Shaw took the basket, but he kept his gaze fixed on Naomi Kenway.
"Mommy..."
"You're doing great, Ian!" Naomi Kenway praised. "You've already taken the first step. Mommy can't wait to see the ingredients you bring back. Together, we can definitely make amazing knife-cut noodles, right?"
Ian Shaw slowly nodded.
"Yay! I'm so happy Ian is coming with us to find ingredients!"
Carina Sanders held out her hand. "I'll hold your hand!"