Chapter 85: Chapter 85: Picking Up the Child from School Together

“Naomi Kenway, I understand how you feel. Similar roles really don’t help broaden your range. But you know the acting industry is a highly coveted field. People are fighting tooth and nail to get in every day. It’s hyper-competitive.”

“Natural-born talents like Kiera Sherman are rare. Why don’t you try looking at it from a different angle? It’s not so bad to perfect a single type of role. At least you’re already competitive in that category. Besides, based on my analysis… this type of character is a good fit for you. The nomination you once received is the best proof of that, isn’t it?”

’She was being tactful, but what she really meant was that my acting is terrible and I’d do better playing a role that’s closer to my true self.’

“I still want to try other types of roles. I can’t be shackled to the ’villainous second female lead’ role for my entire life.”

“This is the path I’ve tailored for your career, but if you insist, I won’t stand in your way. Are you sure about this, Naomi?”

Her voice came through the receiver, stern and serious.

“I’ve made up my mind. Please, Lily, keep an eye out for other types of roles for me.”

“Alright.” Laura Grant’s reply was crisp this time. “Since this is what you want, as your agent, I’ll do my best to support you. I’ll keep an eye out for other roles. Oh, right… remember to prepare for the fan meet-and-greet in three days. It would be best to bring Ian. Your rise in popularity is inseparable from the reality show with your kid.”

“When the time comes, be gentle in how you speak and act. Whatever you do, don’t act like a diva or throw a tantrum at your fans. After all, online opinions about you are severely polarized. Winning over this group of fans will be good for cleaning up your image later on. It would be best to have some sweet interactions with Ian. Let him act cute; you could capture a whole wave of mom-fans.”

Naomi agreed, but when it came to Ian…

“Fan meet-and-greets can get crowded, and my reputation is still in the gutter right now. I don’t know if anti-fans will sneak in and cause a scene like before. I’m not going to risk bringing Ian into that.”

Naomi would never let Ian participate in anything risky. Her son was not, and never would be, a tool for cleaning up her image or chasing clout. All she wanted was for him to grow up healthy and happy.

“You have a point. We’ll do it your way, then. I’ll send you the specific details and script for the fan meet. Make sure you go over it. I have to go, I’ve got some things to take care of.”

And with that, the call ended.

*

Car keys in hand, Naomi was on her way to pick up Ian from school.

She remembered how, when picking up her child from school in the past, she would always see other kids being picked up by both of their parents. She could still recall Ian’s envious gaze.

Something stirred in Naomi’s heart, and she walked over to Ethan.

For once, Ethan had gotten off work shockingly early, returning home at four in the afternoon. He was currently sitting on the sofa, dozing with his eyes closed.

“Ethan,” Naomi called out.

Ethan opened his eyes. Perhaps from working so much overtime recently, they were bloodshot, and he looked exhausted.

Naomi froze for a moment. After a brief pause, she spoke, “I was hoping you would come with me to pick up Ian. I don’t know if you…”

The words she had planned died on her lips when she saw his tired face.

Naomi picked up her bag. “Never mind. You should just rest at home. I can go pick him up myself.”

Ethan’s muddled consciousness cleared. He realized it had indeed been a long time since he’d picked Ian up from school. He had really failed as a father.

Watching Naomi’s retreating figure, Ethan called out, his voice a bit hoarse, “Wait. I’ll go with you.”

Surprised, Naomi turned around to see him putting on his suit jacket and walking toward her.

On the way to the garage, Naomi asked, “Do you really like wearing suits?”

Ethan paused. “Why do you ask?”

“Other than your workout clothes for the morning, your closet is basically all suits. And when you buy clothes for Ian, it’s also children’s suits…”

“I’m busy at the company every day, so suits are more appropriate. As for Ian’s clothes… I’m not very good at picking them out. I just think suits look sharper.” He answered her question earnestly.

Naomi almost burst out laughing. The most ridiculous part was that many of the children’s suits in Ian’s closet had been custom-made for him by Ethan.

After her laughter subsided, Naomi was surprised to realize that the two of them were actually able to have a normal conversation now.

With no other topic of conversation, the atmosphere grew a bit stiff.

Ethan moved toward the driver’s seat, but Naomi shooed him over to the passenger side. “You look tired. I should drive.”

Ethan moved to the other seat.

“Actually, I have a question. Would the company fall apart without you? I’m not trying to be sarcastic, I just don’t understand why you pour all your energy into work. You’re already so wealthy, isn’t it okay to let yourself relax a little? What if you get old and regret not having truly lived when you were young?”

After hearing her out, Ethan glanced sideways at her, his expression growing more complex. “He who wears the crown must bear its weight. That is something every member of the Shaw family must go through.”

Thinking about the immense pressure Ethan must be under managing so many family businesses, Naomi paused. “But you can’t just live for your family, can you? You have to be a little selfish sometimes.”

The thought that Ian might one day be forced to take over the complex family enterprise made Naomi’s heart ache. ’No matter what happens in the future, whether Ian wants to inherit the family business or not, I will fully support his decision.’

Ethan didn’t answer. He stared at Naomi for a long time before closing his eyes again.

The car came to a stop. Naomi was just about to wake Ethan, but she saw that his eyes were already open.

“We’re here?”

Naomi nodded and unbuckled her seatbelt.

Ethan had already pushed the door open and gotten out. He was tall with long legs, and he walked quickly, forcing Naomi to jog to catch up. But then—and she couldn’t be sure if it was her imagination—she felt his pace slow a little.

As a bell chimed with a children’s song, the kids from Sunshine Kindergarten walked out in a line.

Naomi spotted her son immediately. She and Ethan walked up and smiled at Jessica Hilton. “Teacher Hilton, we’re here to pick up Ian.”

“Oh, Ian’s father came to pick him up too?”

Jessica Hilton led Ian out of the line. With his backpack on, Ian looked from Naomi to Ethan, then threw his arms around both of them, his voice filled with joy.

“Mommy! Daddy!”

Jessica Hilton laughed as well. “Ian is so happy. By the way, he got a perfect score on his test today!”

Ian held out his chubby little hand, which bore his prize: a small red flower sticker. “Flower, a little red flower.”

Naomi knelt down and gently pinched Ian’s soft cheeks. “Oh my gosh, my son is so amazing!”

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