Aliya’s POV

He stood tall on that stage, his smile clearly infectious to the crowd as they gazed up at him in absolute awe.

Liam scanned the audience as he launched into his never-ending speech, but then his eyes locked on mine—and stayed there, unwavering—for what felt like an eternity.

“That’s it. Stare like I’m the only person in this damn room,” I murmured to myself, refusing to look away from his penetrating gaze.

I held his stare, unflinching, unblinking—even for a single second. Then suddenly, I stood, pushing away from my seat and heading out just as he reached the end of his monologue.

“De Luca Tech Revolution is...