It definitely isn't. Everything Kate got involved in was because of her and because she wanted to. It starts with her agreeing to work in the house of the bully who burned her son's face, and now she does all this with that bully, including a plan to isolate her own son with emotional blackmail.
Kate only did that because of Jacqueline and her constant belittlement. She was against it completely but she did it because Jacqueline kept demeaning her. She did it because she felt there was no other way. And if we want to go back, the offer only came because Johnny was being bullied in the first place. Therefore Johnny again becomes the catalyst
As for the plan. I can't comment on since I stopped after she fucked Dexter the first time.
Johnny being an artist is Kate's dream, not his, which is more common than it seems.
Johnny literally says he wanted to do it after seeing how his mother performed and moved people.
The only one who really wanted something good for Johnny is Jaqueline
She wanted to morph Johnny to her desires. Let's not forget that she's living in a mansion and a lavish lifestyle for years while Kate and Johnny barely got by. I know Kate prevented contact with her. But after that Jacqueline still didn't bother to support or help them. Instead kept insulting Kate and trying to pull Johnny towards her. She's just as manipulating though she is more discreet.
You must be playing a different game, it doesn't make sense, the game doesn't hide Kate's psychopathy and hypocrisy, she literally does the same things that bad women in her opinion (Kate and Jaqueline) do.
I don't deny she is. But she isn't like Lesley or Jacqueline at all. She does try to help Johnny. She is the only one who cares about Johnny in her own twisted way. She makes deals to protect Johnny and stop he's bullying. And if not for Johnny pursuing Lesley, Kate would never have touched Dexter sexually once.
She isn't like Lesley or Jacqueline that want to use Johnny for their own plans. She just wants to keep Johnny with her. She's more than comfortable with Johnny following his dreams.
She doesn't want Johnny with any woman. Before she knew who Lesley was, she was already upset that Johnny could have another woman besides her on his mind... In the end, it's Lesley and Kate manipulating Johnny to be what they want, but Kate is much more cruel and mentally ill.
Again, though I can see why you come to that conclusion, I don't think that's entirely true. If Johnny brought home a girl that didn't want to monopolize him, one that Kate liked. I think she'd be okay with that. But since Johnny only has girls around him that Kate hates, we can't draw that conclusion decisively.
Yes, she was upset but it was more shock and concern because it never happened before. And the moment she knew Johnny was involved with a girl was when she was talking to Dexter who immediately told her Lesley is his girlfriend, so of course she'd be against Johnny pursuing another man's girl.
Lastly. I can't comment on Kate manipulating him since at the point I am (after the first sex with Dexter) she didn't. But it's clear Jacqueline is manipulating Johnny, though in a more subtle way.