Brandon's POV
The moment the MC announced Casey's automatic disqualification, the entire room erupted.
Gasps ripped through the hall from every direction.
Murmurs rose instantly, spreading like wildfire beneath the glittering chandeliers overhead.
People leaned toward one another.
Hands flew to mouths.
Confused whispers bounced across tables.
"No way..."
"Did he just say disqualified?"
"Cohen?"
"What happened?"
Camera flashes exploded through the room in relentless bursts, like tiny lightning strikes.
The elegant atmosphere that had existed seconds ago cracked apart beneath confusion and gossip.
I looked toward the stage.
Casey stood there frozen.
Completely frozen.
The tears that had gathered in her eyes moments earlier had now spilled freely, dragging dark streaks through makeup that had probably taken hours to perfect.
Her lips parted slightly.
But nothing came out.
Nothing.
It was almost painful watching her mind struggle to catch up with reality.
