Chapter 257: Chapter 257: Hindered at Every Turn

Nathaniel Lynch considered himself a strict father, but the current scene made him feel a little guilty. “Nathan, what are you doing here? Didn’t I tell you to go do your homework?”

Nathan Lynch looked at him quietly, his tone calm and flat, as if he were discussing the day of the week. “You were fighting. Are you getting a divorce again?”

Nathaniel Lynch’s brow furrowed. “What nonsense are you talking about? This isn’t something a child your age should be concerned with. Your most important task right now is to study hard.”

“But you were shouting so loudly. I could hear you all the way downstairs. I can’t focus on my studies.”

Nathaniel Lynch frowned slightly, a bitter taste in his mouth. The next second, however, he heard Nathan Lynch say, “I do my homework seriously every day. When will I get rewarded with a visit to see Mom?”

Nathaniel Lynch said coldly, “Isn’t your mother right in that room? When have I ever stopped you?”

Just before Nathan Lynch could speak, Nathaniel Lynch cut in with a warning. “Don’t tell me you mean Victor Vance. She’s so irresponsible, and you still want to go crawling back to her shamelessly? Since you’re Nathaniel Lynch’s son, you need to have some backbone. Staying away from her is the only way you’ll become a better person.”

Nathan Lynch was reminded of the fact that he had been “abandoned,” and tears streamed uncontrollably from his eyes.

“Don’t cry, don’t cry.” Nathaniel Lynch knelt and wiped his tears. “A man doesn’t cry easily. What’s with all this sniffling?”

Nathan Lynch’s eyes were red. He cried almost silently, crystalline tears sliding down his pale cheeks as his shoulders trembled with choked sobs.

Nathaniel Lynch put an arm around him and patted his back, trying to persuade him. “Victor Vance has been gone for almost a year. See? We’re living just fine without her. She’s a cold-hearted, irresponsible woman. Have you forgotten? Didn’t the other kids in kindergarten used to make fun of you because of her? She has her own ambitions and career now; there’s no way she could have taken you with her.”

“Your last name is Lynch. This is your home. Dad will never abandon you, so stop thinking about all that nonsense.”

Nathaniel Lynch tried his best to convince him. He had originally thought that after divorcing Victor Vance, they would have no more ties. Who knew his son would be unable to stop thinking about her day in and day out? A month or two would have been understandable, but it had been over a year, and he was still like this. ’How can a child’s memory be this good?’

Seeing that Nathan Lynch didn’t reply, Nathaniel Lynch lifted his chin, only to find that the boy was still crying to himself, not having heard a word he’d said.

Nathaniel Lynch shot up in anger, spitting furiously, “Ungrateful brat! You’re all a bunch of bastards who only know how to piss me off!” The anger Renee Jennings had caused him hadn’t subsided, and he stormed downstairs and left.

The nanny watched his retreating back timidly, then walked over and pulled Nathan Lynch into her arms. “It’s okay, Nathan. It’s okay.”

Nathan Lynch’s choked voice rose. “Does… does my mom really not want me anymore?”

The nanny didn’t know how to answer. The butler had already given them orders: no topic related to “Victor Vance” was to be mentioned in this house.

Nathan Lynch didn’t hear an answer from the nanny. He was used to this pattern and repeated the question a few more times, as if asking himself deep down.

*

Naomi Kenway successfully passed the first round of auditions for Rhys Quinn’s music video. Laura Grant called to inform her of the time and location for the final round.

「Three days from now.」

Knowing this was a great opportunity, Naomi Kenway didn’t dare waste a moment. Whenever she had free time, she trained in the company’s practice room. Laura Grant had already found instructors for her, all of whom were veterans in the industry.

Naomi Kenway had temporarily taken over this practice room. Laura Grant had already given everyone a heads-up, so no one would normally come to disturb her.

Naomi Kenway arrived an hour earlier than the scheduled time. The instructor hadn’t arrived yet, so Naomi practiced alone. She wore a loose white t-shirt, her long hair tied back.

Recalling the techniques her previous instructors had taught her, Naomi Kenway’s body moved to the music playing from the speakers.

Having not danced for many years, her movements were much stiffer and rustier.

It was like a shadow carved into her very bones. Whenever she rose onto her toes, the words of Jackson Kensington would always echo in her mind:

“You’re slow-witted, and your dancing is clumsy too.”

“Your dancing is so ugly, like an ugly duckling that can only hop around.”

“You just have to copy whatever others do. Don’t dance anymore. You’re an embarrassment to me.”

…

Naomi Kenway no longer cared about what Jackson Kensington had said, but this muscle memory always seemed to hold her back.

Naomi Kenway tried to drive the voice, chirping like a sparrow in her head, away, but to no avail.

That disgusting voice from her childhood had destroyed her passion and her dreams. Even now, as an adult, it was still forcefully holding her back, not letting her advance even half a step.

’That disgusting Jackson Kensington!’

Naomi Kenway sank to the floor, all her strength gone. She felt as if her hands and feet were bound, preventing her from performing well no matter what she did.

“Why did you stop dancing?” a cool voice asked.

Naomi Kenway looked up. Outside the transparent glass door, a slender figure stood quietly. He was dressed in black from head to toe, and his hair was slightly curly, making him look like a character straight out of a Japanese manga. He wore a large face mask, revealing only a pair of brilliant, beautiful eyes.

He pushed the door open and walked in slowly. Gazing at Naomi Kenway, who was sitting on the floor, he extended his hand.

“Can you get up?”

His hands looked as if they were meticulously cared for, as exquisite as jade.

Naomi Kenway took his hand to stand up. “Sorry, you caught me making a fool of myself. I didn’t expect you to be here so early, senior.”

“I’m not a senior.”

Naomi Kenway froze for a moment. She looked him over and realized he seemed to be a bit younger than her. ’Of course, in the world of dance, there are young prodigies with extraordinary skill. Since he’s the instructor Laura Grant hired, his ability must be beyond question.’

“I was just watching you dance. You have a certain spark. Why did you suddenly stop?”

Naomi Kenway looked up and met his dark eyes. “…I have too many distracting thoughts in my head. I can’t seem to quiet my mind.”

The man raised an eyebrow with a knowing expression. “I remember you’re an actress, right? Why the sudden interest in dancing? It’s not easy to make a living in any field.”

Naomi Kenway felt the man before her was asking a lot of questions. However, since he was the one Laura Grant had gone to great lengths to find for her, she answered patiently.

“I’m going to participate in the auditions for Rhys Quinn’s music video. The final round is in a few days, so time is tight.”

The man’s expression froze, seemingly in great surprise.

Naomi Kenway couldn’t read his expression. “Is there a problem? Is there something wrong with Rhys Quinn’s music video auditions?”

“No problem.” The man cleared his throat. “Your movements are very precise, but a little stiff. I think you’d be much better if you could relax. Try to push all the useless, distracting thoughts out of your mind, okay?”

Naomi Kenway nodded.

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