Eve’s POV
The MC began to introduce the concept of the competition, building anticipation with every pause, making the audience lean in. He spoke as if he was revealing secrets, as if he was handing them something exclusive.
“And who will be deciding their fate?” he asked, stretching the question long enough that people started chanting before he even answered.
He grinned.
“Our judges.”
The first name rolled off his tongue with a practiced rhythm, he didn’t say it yet; he prepared them for it.
He talked about “star power,” “global influence,” “icons,” and the crowd grew louder with each word.
Eve felt Ryan’s hand shift slightly on his thigh, as if his body was unconsciously bracing.
The MC lifted the microphone closer.
“Ladies and gentlemen,” he announced, voice rising like a drum
