The judges exchanged glances the moment Zeno's overly polite compliments ended.
Gene PD raised a brow. Why the sudden flattery? His fingers tapped against the table, eyes tracking Zeno's posture.
Janie J, however, smirked faintly, leaning back in her chair. "He's not going to get us with that," she murmured under her breath, amused but unmoved.
On stage, Zeno's teammates knew exactly what had just happened.
'What the hell is he doing?' Phoenix thought, jaw tightening. Daniel's mouth curled in a faint scoff, though his eyes glinted with fire. Billy rolled his shoulders, suppressing a sharp exhale, and Oska gave the faintest shake of his head.
None of them commented aloud, but inside, the reaction was unanimous.
Oh, so that's how it is.
