Chapter 24

• A sharp “Ka—” snapped through the hall, followed immediately by the crisp sound of someone slapping the director’s table. Naomi’s ten-minute performance had ended with flawless precision, the final pose settling over her like a crown.
• The lobby still echoing with the roaring applause Claire had received earlier fell into a suffocating silence. It was not the silence of disinterest, but one carved out of awe. Naomi had stunned them into stillness.
• Before Kenzo could collect himself, Naomi gave his chest a firm, effortless push and rose from his lap as though she had never been unsettled by the chaos of the performance. She walked forward with unhurried grace.