"Who do you think you are? Do I need you to give me an out?" Naomi Kenway pressed her tongue against her back molars, her words dripping with aggression.
Chelsea Raines froze, her face flushing with a mixture of shame and anger. "You… How can you say something so nasty…"
"You call that nasty? It's nothing compared to the things you've said." Impatience flashed in Naomi Kenway's eyes. "Once or twice is enough. Stop buzzing around me and being a nuisance."
"You… What do you mean?"
Naomi Kenway laughed, her gaze fixed on her. "You don't know what I mean? There are plenty of ways to chase clout. Do you have to keep showing off in front of me to prove you exist?"
"You…" Chelsea Raines was momentarily speechless. She thought her attempts to gain clout by mocking Naomi Kenway had been subtle, or at least that the oblivious Naomi wouldn't notice. But this time, Naomi had seen right through her strategy.
This turn of events was not part of Chelsea Raines's plan. Her mind raced as a few drops of cold sweat beaded on her forehead. "I don't know what you're talking about. Don't slander me! You're just making things up! You've made a ton of messes yourself, and now you won't let anyone talk about it?"
Renee Jennings chimed in. "Nina, you must have misunderstood Chelsea. She's just blunt and doesn't think before she speaks. Chelsea was just trying to look out for you, Nina. She has a sharp tongue but a soft heart!"
Naomi Kenway sneered. "Then you can have her 'blessing.' How about it? Stop trying to impress people with your own self-righteousness. It's foolish."
'If my son weren't right here, I would charge up there and rip the vicious masks right off their faces.'
'She'd come on this show to experience life with her son and strengthen their bond. She really didn't want to waste energy on all this scheming.'
Finally, Ruby Preston walked over. She usually preferred to keep to herself and hated getting involved in this kind of nonsense, but letting them go on arguing would just make them all a laughingstock.
"Everyone, stop fighting. 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 fair, 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, she could guess what the other woman was thinking. Ruby felt a mix of exasperation and amusement. 'So, Renee Jennings not only likes to take more than her share, she also loves to jump to conclusions.'
With Ruby Preston mediating, Chelsea Raines couldn't say much more. She just let out a cold scoff. "I've said my piece. You'll regret it when you end up humiliating yourself."
"Looks like you've had a lot of free time since the network terminated your contract. Can't even manage your own affairs, but you have the energy to meddle in mine?"
Naomi Kenway's tone was light, as if it were just an ordinary jest, but to Chelsea Raines's ears, it was incredibly harsh.
She was furious, but with Ruby Preston standing right there, she ultimately just stormed off in a huff.
Renee Jennings gave Naomi Kenway one last look. She took a few steps closer, a friendly smile still on her face. "Maybe I was a bit too hasty with my words just now. I hope you won't hold it against me, Nina. It's a good thing that you want to try new things. If you run into any trouble during the cooking process… I'd still be happy to help you out."
She acted magnanimously, then left with Nathan Lynch.
Naomi Kenway retracted her gaze and thanked Ruby Preston. "Thanks."
Ruby Preston was a little surprised, giving Naomi Kenway a rare smile. "It was nothing. I just said what was fair."
[I'm suddenly realizing how cool Naomi Kenway is. I didn't notice until she said it, but Chelsea Raines really does attack her for no reason every time they meet. Is it really like Naomi said, just to chase clout?]
[In the entertainment industry, who can tell what's real and what's fake? But Chelsea Raines has really gone too far these past few times.]
[I feel like Renee Jennings and Chelsea Raines are kind of guilt-tripping her. Acting like they're doing it for her own good while trying to make her give up the recipe. How is that any different from being a robber?]
[Hey, person above, if you don't get it, don't talk nonsense. Rachel is beautiful and kind-hearted, she just wanted Naomi Kenway to cook something simple to avoid embarrassing herself. It's Naomi who's being ungrateful!]
[Knife-cut noodles are a real test of skill. Has Naomi Kenway even cooked more than a few times in her life? How is she going to do it? Ugh, my second-hand embarrassment is kicking in again.]
[Didn't a bunch of people also scream it was impossible when Naomi Kenway wanted to DIY that furniture? Since Naomi accepted the challenge, maybe she can actually do it! Looking forward to seeing what she does!!]
...
A sharp whistle blew. The host was calling everyone to gather.
Naomi Kenway led her son toward the center.
"I'm sure you've all mentally prepared for the dishes you'll be making. Considering some of you may not be expert cooks, the celebrity guests can stay here to look up information and research your dishes. As for our little guests, you need to complete another mission—go to the villagers' homes to collect ingredients for your mothers' cooking…"
He smiled and looked around at the young guests. "Kids, are you confident?"
Everyone shouted in unison, "Yes!"
They then went to the platform to get their baskets.
Only Ian Shaw didn't move. He stood next to Naomi Kenway, his small hands anxiously clenching and unclenching, a look of confusion on his face.
Naomi Kenway immediately crouched down. "What's wrong, Annie?"
"I don't want to leave Mom. I… I'm a little scared…"
'It was a good thing that her son was getting closer to her, but if he always stayed by her side, he would never grow.'
Naomi Kenway smiled and ruffled his hair. "Annie, do you see that red-tiled house nearby? And there's a big willow tree in front of it, so thick it would take two people to wrap their arms around it. Do you remember the carpenter and his wife? They're kind people. There are so many new things here waiting for you to discover. When you come back, you can tell Mom all about the interesting things you saw, okay?"
Thinking about the people they had met along the way, Ian Shaw hesitated. His gaze settled on something in the distance. 'Just how big was a very big willow tree?' He kind of wanted to go and see.
"Hi, Annie! Come on, let's go find ingredients with us!" Carina Sanders said with a bright smile. She was wearing a princess dress but didn't have a princess's attitude at all, and a large bamboo basket was 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 had the faint air of a little adult.
Under everyone's watchful eyes, Ian Shaw took the basket, but his gaze remained fixed on Naomi Kenway.
"Mom…"
"You're amazing, Annie!" Naomi Kenway praised him. "You've already taken the first step. Mom is looking forward to the ingredients you bring back. The two of us can definitely work together to make great knife-cut noodles, right?"
Ian Shaw slowly nodded.
"Wow, I'm so happy! Annie's coming with us to find ingredients!"
Carina Sanders held out her hand. "I'll hold your hand!"