The challenge hung in the air like a gauntlet thrown down in medieval combat. I could feel every eye in the room focused on me, waiting to see if I would back down or rise to meet Sebastian's demand.
"Prove it," he had said. Two simple words that carried the weight of my entire company's future.
I straightened my shoulders and walked to the front of the stage. "I'll do exactly that."
The skeptical murmurs grew louder. I could see Clara whispering something to Nora, both of them wearing expressions of barely contained glee. They thought they were about to witness my public humiliation.
"Ladies and gentlemen," I announced, my voice carrying clearly through the room, "I'm going to conduct a live demonstration of the Jade Countenance Beauty Mask."
Sebastian's grin widened. "A live demonstration? How delightfully theatrical."
"Nothing theatrical about it," I replied. "Just science."