Chapter 133: Chapter 133: What Does a Mistress’s Daughter Have to Do With Me?

Hearing their conversation, Jeanette Kensington chuckled. “So Nicole’s not a bad dancer?”

She posed it as a question, as she’d had her back turned and couldn’t actually see how the guests were dancing.

Chelsea Raines huffed, her voice tinged with sarcasm. “Yeah, right. First time I’m hearing that Naomi Kenway is so ’humble’.”

’Usually, when she learns a new skill, she can’t wait to shout it from the rooftops. Why so quiet all of a sudden?’

Chelsea Raines shot a sideways glance in Naomi Kenway’s direction.

“Alright, let’s go again.”

The familiar beat started up again. This time, Jeanette Kensington didn’t turn around to demonstrate; instead, she took a few steps forward to observe the guests’ practice, her gaze lingering on Naomi Kenway for an especially long time.

Jeanette Kensington could tell with a single glance that Naomi Kenway had some dance training. She wasn’t very polished, though, and her precision couldn’t compare to Renee Jennings or Margaret Jennings next to her. Still, that beautiful face alone was enough to draw everyone’s eyes.

Ever since her debut, Jeanette Kensington’s looks had been lauded as “god-tier.” Fans gushed that she’d been a beauty her whole life and was the campus belle of Veridia Arts during her university days. What few people knew was that the student-voted campus belle had actually been Naomi Kenway. But because Naomi’s grades and acting were abysmal, the officially recognized title went to Jeanette Kensington instead.

Her thoughts drifted back to the present, and a complicated look entered Jeanette Kensington’s eyes.

’I thought going to Hansea and training myself to the bone would have completely left Naomi Kenway in the dust. Who knew she would improve so much, too?’

An hour later, all the guests were drenched in sweat. Chelsea Raines was the first to give out. Leaning against a pillar to catch her breath, she said, “I need to rest for a bit, or I won’t be able to perform well tonight.”

Jeanette Kensington nodded in approval.

Soon, Ruby Preston and Margaret Jennings also paused their rehearsal. The physical exertion was getting to be too much for them.

The only ones still going were Renee Jennings and Naomi Kenway.

Renee Jennings’s forehead was beaded with sweat, but her competitive streak kept her going. She refused to quit before Naomi Kenway did.

Jeanette Kensington watched them in silence, a faint sense of regret creeping in for letting Naomi Kenway take the center position. ’I’ve been watching the whole time, so of course I know just how much she’s improved.’

Naomi Kenway’s movements grew more and more fluid. She reveled in the feeling of dancing her heart out, sweat flying, not even noticing her fatigue.

In the end, Renee Jennings couldn’t hold on any longer. She bent over, found a spot to sit, and watched Naomi Kenway with a look of unconcealed resentment.

A cheer went up as the kids came running back. They stood watching from a short distance away, and Carina Sanders clapped her hands in praise. “Ian, Aunt Kenway can dance! She’s so cool!”

Ian Shaw froze on the spot. This was the first time he had ever seen his mother dance.

Ruby Preston checked the time, thinking Naomi Kenway was pushing herself a little too hard. Feeling both impressed and concerned, she called out, “Nicole, take a break!”

Naomi Kenway stopped and took the handkerchief Margaret Jennings offered her, wiping her face. “Thanks.”

Despite training for so long, Naomi Kenway’s cheeks were only faintly flushed. Margaret Jennings smiled in praise. “Ah, to have the stamina of the young.”

“It’s probably because I really like dancing, so I hardly feel tired.”

There was a small pavilion nearby where several of the guests were sitting to cool off. Naomi Kenway sat down with Margaret Jennings.

“Nicole, you dance really well! Is this your first time learning to dance? You’re so talented,” Ruby Preston praised. She took two large strawberries from a fruit platter on the table and handed them to Naomi Kenway. “These are from the villagers. I just tried one, they’re very sweet. You should have some.”

Renee Jennings, who was drinking water, suddenly froze as if she’d just remembered something.

’Naomi Kenway said at the beginning that she couldn’t dance, but she must have been practicing at home all along. She’s just doing this to force a “natural genius” narrative on the show.’

Renee Jennings’s fingers tightened around the hem of her shirt. ’So calculating!’

Just as Renee Jennings opened her mouth to say something, Naomi Kenway’s voice cut in. “I have actually studied dance before, but it was a long time ago.”

Renee Jennings snapped her mouth shut. Chelsea Raines, sitting beside her, asked curiously, “What’s wrong, Rachel? Did you have something you wanted to say?”

All eyes shifted to Renee Jennings. She responded dryly, “No, nothing.”

Naomi Kenway ate her strawberry, but she seemed distracted, her gaze occasionally drifting toward the distance. “Have the kids not come back yet?”

Ruby Preston said, “They came back for a moment, but it looks like they went out to play again.” She patted Naomi Kenway’s shoulder. “Don’t worry, there are cameramen all around, and Sean is there too.”

Naomi Kenway nodded and took another bite of her strawberry.

Renee Jennings frowned. “Why are they still playing?” she said, worried. “Nathan hasn’t finished his homework yet…”

She shot to her feet. “I have to go find him and bring him back.”

Margaret Jennings reached out an arm to stop her. “Rachel, the kids look like they’re having a great time. Let’s not go and disturb them.”

Renee Jennings’s first reaction was that this was absurd. ’Letting a child run wild will only ruin them. Besides, Nathan’s public image is that of a “diligent, hardworking top student.” If this keeps up, that image will collapse.’

Ruby Preston also chimed in, “Let the children play for a while. They’re already under so much pressure at school. Coming here on a trip is a novel experience for them, so we shouldn’t interrupt. I’m usually very strict with Sean too, but you have to give them time to rest. After all, children aren’t learning machines.”

Everyone has their own way of raising children, but Renee Jennings’s method seemed excessively strict. Ruby Preston had noticed the faint dark circles under Nathan Lynch’s eyes a few times. It made her heart ache, but it wasn’t her place to say anything.

The phrase “learning machines” was a sharp wake-up call for Renee Jennings. Fan letters she had received in the past inexplicably came to mind. ’Could it be that the fans no longer approve of my parenting style? But my videos of studying with Nathan have always been praised.’

Her thoughts in a jumble, Renee Jennings returned to her seat.

The public restroom was nearby. Naomi Kenway went to use it, and when she walked up to the sinks, she was surprised to see Jeanette Kensington staring intently at her, as if she had been waiting for a long time.

The space was small, making an encounter unavoidable.

Naomi Kenway walked over and said coldly, “I wasn’t aware you had a habit of blocking doorways. You’ve been a big star for so long and you still can’t read a room? Move.”

Jeanette Kensington froze for a second before snapping back to reality. “Just now, on the show, why did you act like you didn’t know me? After all, I’m your…”

“Your what?” Naomi Kenway sneered, her tone aggressive. “What could the daughter of a homewrecker possibly have to do with me?”

Jeanette Kensington’s face paled. “You know I couldn’t choose my family background. I really do want to be like a real sister to you, Nicole…”

She reached out a hand, but Naomi Kenway ruthlessly slapped it away.

Using her height advantage, Naomi Kenway looked down at her. “Who are you trying to disgust?”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep