The Villain Mom Awakens — Going Viral by Parenting on a Reality Show-Chapter 51 - 52: The Approaching Crisis

The crew member was momentarily speechless.

Renee Jennings was much calmer than Chelsea Raines. "We really can’t figure out how to pitch the tents. Please, could you help us!"

Margaret Jennings also spoke sincerely, "This can’t go on. It’s not a big deal for us, but is the child supposed to sleep sitting up? There are snakes all around here..."

At a nod from the director, the crew member gave a brief explanation and demonstration.

Renee Jennings had a moment of epiphany and thanked them profusely.

"It’s nothing," the crew member said before getting up to leave. "It’s getting late. You all need to finish the task as soon as possible."

Renee Jennings understood, but the other two were still confused. They asked a couple of questions, which Renee patiently answered at first. But after that, she focused on her own tent.

Margaret Jennings returned to her spot. They had originally planned to work together on the tents, but it was now clear that Renee Jennings was aiming for first place.

Margaret Jennings could understand. After all, Renee had figured it out on her own. Still, she felt a little resentful. ’So sweet when you need us, then you kick us to the curb when you don’t.’

Renee Jennings was clever and quick-witted, and she successfully pitched her tent in no time.

Chelsea Raines exclaimed in admiration, "Oh my god, Rachel, you’re amazing! Quick, come help us!"

Renee Jennings breathed a sigh of relief. She stood up, not refusing.

’This is the perfect opportunity to build a reputation for being helpful,’ she thought. ’Besides, I’ve already finished my tent first. The others are no longer a threat.’

Chelsea Raines was deeply moved, but Margaret Jennings gave Renee Jennings a few more scrutinizing glances.

Renee Jennings chose to help Margaret Jennings first, calculating based on her seniority in the industry.

Chelsea Raines stood to the side, a complicated expression on her face.

Renee Jennings seemed to sense Chelsea Raines’s mood and explained, "Chelsea, Pearl is almost finished with her side. I’ll help you as soon as I’m done with her."

It was a perfectly reasonable explanation.

Chelsea Raines’s face instantly broke into a smile, annoyed at herself for thinking Renee Jennings was so despicable. "It’s fine, Rachel, take your time."

Only after helping the other two did Renee Jennings realize her hands felt empty. ’Where’s my prize for finishing first?’ She was sick of eating steamed buns every day; she hadn’t had a single decent meal since the show started. Most importantly, Naomi Kenway was eating and drinking well for every meal, and Renee was green with envy.

Before Renee Jennings could speak up, Chelsea Raines had already asked for her, "The task is done, so why hasn’t the production team handed out the prize? Are you waiting until tomorrow?"

"The prize has already been given out."

Renee Jennings frowned. "Given out what...? I haven’t received anything..."

Suddenly, a voice called out from a short distance away. It was Ruby Preston and her son, returning.

Margaret Jennings hurried over. "Have you found Nina?"

No matter how much Renee Jennings disliked Naomi Kenway, she had to put on an act. She asked with a worried expression, "Why isn’t Nina with you? You were gone for so long, we were scared to death..."

Ruby Preston said, "Nicole is fine. I came over to teach you how to pitch the tents, but it looks like you’ve already finished."

Renee Jennings distinctly remembered Ruby Preston being clueless about pitching tents. How had she suddenly returned an expert?

"Hazel Preston, how did you... suddenly learn how to pitch a tent?"

A smile spread across Ruby Preston’s face. "Oh, this? Nicole taught me. I messed up many times, and she helped me fix my mistakes. Young people these days are just so sharp and skillful, to be able to figure out something this complicated..."

Renee Jennings’s expression froze completely. In fact, her face had darkened the moment Ruby Preston started speaking.

She quickly turned and ran to the crew member she’d spoken with earlier. "What did you mean when you said the prize has already been given out?"

Renee Jennings clenched her fists, exhaling slowly. "Or to put it another way... who received the prize?"

"First place went to Ms. Kenway." A hint of helplessness crossed the crew member’s face. "I originally told you to find Ms. Kenway because I wanted you to ask for her help, but none of you seemed willing, so I had to demonstrate it myself..."

Margaret Jennings was in disbelief, marveling, "Goodness, Nicole is really incredible! That’s right, she can even build furniture. A tent must be a piece of cake for her."

Renee Jennings’s expression, on the other hand, was a sight to behold.

[Renee Jennings’s face is hilarious right now. First time I’ve ever seen her look so mortified.]

[Where are all the people who said Naomi Kenway would quit the show? Not only did she build a tent, she got first place. Some people’s biases are just too obvious!]

[Naomi Kenway is so amazing, the queen of DIY!]

[This is so dramatic! Oh my god, Naomi Kenway actually got first place! She’s the biggest dark horse since this show started!]

[I wonder how the other contestants are feeling right now. Bet they regret not sticking with Naomi Kenway, huh?]

...

Renee Jennings quietly clenched her fists. Only she knew the bitter resentment in her heart. ’So Naomi Kenway wasn’t lying. She really was figuring out how to pitch the tent. While I was racking my brain for a solution, she was probably already fast asleep inside hers...’

’Doesn’t this mean I’ve made a complete fool of myself on the livestream?’

*

Naomi Kenway was, in fact, already deep in slumber with Ian Shaw in her arms, completely oblivious to the drama unfolding outside.

Suddenly, she snapped her eyes open. She heard the sound of heavy footsteps on the ground. It was an extremely faint sound, one she could only perceive because her five senses had been heightened since her "awakening."

Her heart pounded with alarm.

Naomi Kenway quickly woke her son. Ian Shaw struggled to open his eyes, calling out in a sleepy little voice, "Mama..."

"Annie, wake up. It might be dangerous here!"

Ian Shaw was instantly wide awake. Naomi Kenway bent down, picked him up, and carried him out of the tent. "Don’t be afraid. Mama will protect you."

The night-vision cameras were still rolling, but in the early hours of the morning, the director and most of the crew were asleep. Only two people were left monitoring the equipment.

Naomi Kenway ran over to them. "We need to get out of here, now! It’s dangerous! I heard something!"

Seeing Naomi Kenway’s grim expression, the crew members scrambled to their feet.

The potential incident was so sudden that the crew members were at a loss.

As they passed the other contestants’ tents, Naomi Kenway handed Ian Shaw to a crew member and pointed ahead. "You run to a safe spot up ahead and meet up with the rest of the team."

With that, Naomi Kenway sprinted back toward the tents.

Ian Shaw reached out a hand. "Mama!"

The other contestants were jolted awake by Naomi Kenway’s shouts and followed her instructions, running east. 𝒇𝒓𝙚𝒆𝔀𝓮𝓫𝒏𝓸𝙫𝓮𝓵.𝓬𝙤𝙢

Only Chelsea Raines opened her eyes and immediately started yelling, "Can’t you give us a moment’s peace? What kind of stunt are you pulling now? The crew is watching us from all sides, what could possibly happen? I think you’ve lost your mind, Naomi Kenway!"

Naomi Kenway sneered. She didn’t have much compassion to spare, and even if she did, she wouldn’t waste it on someone like this.

"Idiot!"

With that, Naomi Kenway turned and left. She was keeping a close watch on the time. Warning the others was merely a courtesy; she wasn’t about to risk her own life.

Naomi Kenway could sense the sound getting closer. ’I have to get out of here!’