We don't know what they think they heard because the feeds cut. Like they def heard something about James and Nicole but in Paul/Vic's private conversation they didn't mention the idea of a pre-game alliance. Maybe production got to them but idk. It seems like the message failed.
Everyone left in the house is annoying, period. Some people are worse depending on what bothers you but all of them are getting deserved criticism. I think Natalie is annoying at times and def feel like she was playing a part up until last night, but James is TRASH. Their relationship is clearly not real. Maybe real in the BB house but not in the real world. He basically trashed her the second he realized he wasn't going to hook up with her before she left the house
All summer I wondered if he knew about her initial interest in Vic, weird comments about Paulie ("future husband") and alleged attraction to Corey in the beginning. It turns out that he knew the whole time but essentially held out in hopes of getting *****
the complete 180 when she dared to question him about the bullhorn message
I was hoping on a Mental comp, it seems they really want a Nicole, James, Corey F3 
Rachel at least fought to stay without playing the floater game.