- ALEX (ELISE)
Liam remained silent. The word lingered in the air, vibrating through the high-end speakers.
He didn’t click the remote to advance to the next slide. His hand stayed clamped to the sides of the wooden podium, his knuckles going pale from the tight grip. The smooth, rehearsed Alpha charm completely vanished from his face, replaced by a sudden, rigid stillness that made the entire banquet hall drop into an uncomfortable silence.
"Liam?" Eleanor’s voice cut through the quiet from the VIP table with warning. Her face revealed nothing as she sat with her hands calmly clasped together.
He didn't look at his mother. His head tilted up, his jaw tightening as his nostrils flared. He took a deep breath of the air conditioning current flowing straight from the back of the room.
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