The MC finished his speech and extended a hand toward the right side of the stage.
Instantly, every eye in the concert hall followed the gesture.
A tall young woman stepped into view.
Dressed in a breathtaking light-blue gown, Kaija moved beneath the stage lights with measured grace. Her posture was straight, her movements economical, every step deliberate as she made her way toward the spotlight the MC had left waiting for her.
A wave of murmurs spread through the audience.
Some recognized her immediately as the trainee whose vocal-class performance had gone viral months ago. Others were seeing her for the very first time and found themselves caught off guard by her beauty.
Kaija possessed the kind of striking appearance that naturally drew attention, but what captivated people even more was the quiet confidence embedded in her movements.
Then they noticed the chair.
The elegant young woman was dragging a simple chair behind her.
