Onstage, Martin minced out in women's clothing, striking coy poses as he went.
"That's a man, isn't it?"
The crowd whispered among themselves, and Annan's brow twitched.
"This... Lady."
Judge was professional enough not to show any prejudice against Martin, though he didn't recognize him either.
"You can call me by my name, Mary Reeves. Mm-hmm~" Martin said in a "sweet" voice, pitching it high.
"Blech—"
Someone in the audience retched.
Annan clenched his fists without looking back. "Go find Idelia and tell her someone is impersonating a member of the Reeves family. Recommend the death penalty!"
"I'm going to sing 'My Heart Will Go On.'"
It was hard to believe Judge showed so little reaction. "All right, Miss Mary Reeves... Mm-hmm. Please begin your performance."
"Ahem, ahem... ah, oh, ee—"
Martin cleared his throat, then hummed a few notes with surprising skill.
Annan froze. Could Martin actually surprise him?
He quietly took out his Magic Stone, activated it, and began recording.
"Every night in my dreams, I see you, I feel you..."
A breeze swept across the square, soothing the restless crowd.
Silence fell around the stage. Everyone, including Judge, stared at the figure singing unaccompanied. She was so... loathsome.
"Get off the stage!"
Like the first crack of thunder on a stormy night, the cry set off a chorus of angry shouts.
"Beat her to death!"
No one knew who started it, but the audience took up the chant in unison.
"Beat her to death! Beat her to death! Beat her to death!"
The roar surged like a tidal wave, drowning out every sound Martin—Mary Reeves Mm-hmm—made.
Then Annan saw Luoxi rush onto the stage and throw something over Martin's head. He hauled Martin away by force, looking rough but protecting him.
The crowd's shouts turned to cheers,