Thomas gripped his hand before he might fall, and it would cause a disaster.
"I'm fine," Alex breathed out, but sweat was already soaking through the expensive fabric of his suit, dampening the collar around his neck.
"Stay calm," Xavier whispered, his voice barely audible above the murmuring crowd. "They cannot..."
"Mr. Kane, can you give us a speech?" Philip interrupted, his tone deliberately taunting, each word designed to unsettle.
Alex took deep, slow breath, forcing his lungs to cooperate, a reaction he refused to let the others see. His hands trembled slightly at his sides.
Thomas held his hand too long, his grip firm and unwilling to release, as if letting go would mean watching Alex crumble entirely.
He finally released him, and Alex started walking toward the stage. It felt
