The three returned backstage, where other contestants had already departed, and their relatives were coming over to offer their congratulations.
Amid the chaos, Nastya looked around and spotted Alexandrovich but didn't see Martin. She grabbed her two sisters and asked, "Did you hear what Alexandrovich said on stage?"
Erica, ever blunt, replied, "He said it was Martin who hand-picked us."
Misha quickly nudged her to move forward.
Nastya warned, "We can talk about this in private, but don't tell anyone else."
Erica wasn't clueless; after giving it some thought, she understood and declared, "I swear!"
The three managed to send their family and friends off first, waiting until there was no one else in the lounge before they found Alexandrovich.
Misha grabbed Erica's arm, silencing her.
Nastya asked, "You said on stage that Martin chose us?"
Alexandrovich smiled and nodded, "Martin suggested the three of you and strongly supported you, which the others agreed with."
