Kendrick looked at me , his voice calm but firm . " Be careful . With a face like yours , men like him will come crawling . Not all of them will back off when you warn them . " I straightened , brushing my dress . " I don't need saving . But ... thank you . " I turned to walk away , but his voice stopped me . " Wait . " I faced him , unimpressed . " What is it ? " His eyes lingered on me , sharp , calculating . " I've got an upcoming movie . And the first second I saw you tonight , I knew ... you fit the role perfectly . A woman betrayed by her closest friend and husband , left for dead , but she rises again . She takes revenge . It's ... you . " I laughed bitterly . " I don't act . " " You should , " he said , and pressed his calling card into my hand before I could refuse . " Think about it . If you change your mind , call me . " I tucked the card away without looking , walked off bored . But that night , in my room , I turned on a random film . The lead actress was on screen -bloodied , bruised , being beaten down by the mistress . I stared at the screen , fists tightening . That should've been me . That was me . By the end of the movie , my chest was burning . Maybe this was fate . Maybe this was my chance to step into the light and rewrite my story . Not just hiding and watching . I went to my mother's room . She was reading reports when I burst in . " I want to do it . " She raised a brow . " Do what ? " " Kendrick's film . He offered me the lead . I want it . " Her lips curved into the smallest smile . " Finally . I was wondering how long it would take for you to realize it . Claire , this isn't just a movie . Kendrick is the best director in the industry . If you work with him , you won't just be playing a role . You'll be building an image . You'll be creating a weapon . " I leaned forward , fire in my veins . " Then let's do it . Fresca wants the world to believe she's the saint who saved Beckley . Fine . I'll become something bigger . Then I went back to my room . I stared at Kendrick's number on my phone for a long minute , biting my lip . Why the hell am I nervous ? It's just a phone call . Just a man . Just a director . I hit the call before could overthink . "Claire ?" His voice came through . 8:58 Thu , Oct 16 ... @ " Yeah . It's me . " I tried to sound like I didn't care , like this was just business . " I'll do your movie . " For a second , silence . Then I swear the man squealed . " You're saying yes ? You're actually saying yes ? " I rolled my eyes , smirking at the ceiling . " Don't sound so shocked . Didn't you say I was perfect for it ? Or was that just director talk ? " " I wasn't lying , " he said quickly , almost tripping over his words . " You don't understand . You just made my year . My decade . I knew it the second I saw you . You're going to destroy this role . " Destroy . Interesting choice of word . He doesn't even know I've been sharpening myself for war . " Calm down , Kendrick . It's just a movie . " " No ," he shot back , his voice steady now . " It's not just a movie . You're going to change everything . " I didn't answer . Just smiled quietly , imagining his stupidly handsome face lit up like a boy unwrapping a gift . He probably looked way too good being excited , and I hated myself a little for thinking it . When I told Mom next morning , she's already three steps ahead . She just gave me that knowing smile , the one that says " This is perfect timing , " her voice smooth as wine . " Kendrick will reshape you in front of the world . This is the beginning , Claire . Trust me . " " Mom , " I cut in , serious , " don't ever tell anyone I'm your daughter . Not yet . The last thing I need is people whispering I'm here because of your power . They'll call me a spoiled heiress , accuse me of pulling strings . " She studied me , then nodded . " Fine . I'll keep it quiet . Let them underestimate you first . Then prove them wrong . " " Exactly . " When I signed the contract , my hand didn't even shake . I felt the buzz in my veins , like the pen itself was a weapon . For the first time in years , I pictured a stage that was mine . Two weeks later , I walked onto set . The lights , the cameras , the energy - it all pressed in on me . My chest was tight , but not with fear . Anticipation . Makeup artists , stylists , wardrobe people swarmed like bees . I let them fuss , let them think I was just another pretty face . Let them underestimate me . 8:58 Thu , Oct 16 " Ready ? " he asked . " Always . " I did the run - through quietly , and simple . And then it happened . The air shifted . My body , my voice , everything slowed down like time itself bent . The words didn't feel like lines . They felt like my life was spilling out . The real test came with the big emotional scene . The heroine confronts the traitor . I looked across at the actor , but in my head , it was Fresca . Her lies . Her smug face . Her hands all over Beckley . My throat burned with fury . My chest cracked open . " You think you killed me ? No. You forged me . And I'll make you choke on everything you stole . " I wasn't acting . I was breaking something open . Every bruise , every betrayal , every night I begged the universe not to end me - it all came out . When the scene ended , silence . Not polite silence . Heavy silence . Then the clapping started . Slow at first , then louder . The crew , the extras , the staff . All of them . Clapping for me . I caught whispers as I walked off set . " Who the hell is she ? She was born for this role ! Wow . " " My god , I feel gutted . She just ripped my heart out . " " She looks like a star . Older , fragile , dangerous all at once . " " Where did she even come from ? She's so beautiful . " " Kendrick found a diamond . No , a weapon . Seriously , who is she ? " After , Kendrick pulled me aside , eyes burning like he just uncovered a secret . " Your made the crew stop . Do you realize that ? I've never seen that on the first day . Who are you really ? Are you Helena's hidden daughter or something ? " I just smiled , lips sealed . Let him wonder . Let them all wonder . Meanwhile , the producers huddled , whispering like vultures . " We need to market this carefully . She's not just another actress . She's something else ! Kendrick find a diamond ! " Damn right I am . 8:58 Thu , Oct 16 for me . 1 caught whispers as I walked off set . " Who the hell is she ? She was born for this role ! Wow . " " My god , I feel gutted . She just ripped my heart out . " " She looks like a star . Older , fragile , dangerous all at once . " " Where did she even come from ? She's so beautiful . " " Kendrick found a diamond . No , a weapon . Seriously , who is she ? " @ After , Kendrick pulled me aside , eyes burning like he just uncovered a secret . " You made the crew stop . Do you realize that ? I've never seen that on the first day . Who are you really ? Are you Helena's hidden daughter or something ? " I just smiled , lips sealed . Let him wonder . Let them all wonder . Meanwhile , the producers huddled , whispering like vultures . " We need to market this carefully . She's not just another actress . She's something else ! Kendrick find a diamond ! " Damn right I am . Kendrick called me into his office one evening , his phone buzzing nonstop . He leaned back in his chair , grinning like he already had the future in his pocket . " Claire , " he said , then corrected himself , " No , not Claire . For the world , you need a name . A screen name . Something sharp , unforgettable . Think of it like armor . When people scream it , you can decide if they're calling you or your creation . " I raised a brow . " Armor , huh ? You make it sound like war . " " It is war , " he said without blinking . " And you are about to walk into battle . " I sat there , silent for a beat , letting it sink in . A name . A mask . A weapon . Something that would both hide me and reveal me . Finally , I said it out loud . " Kendall Scott . " 8:59 Thu , Oct 16