Isla POV

I stepped onto the balcony, the noise from the hall turning to a muffled hum behind me.

Eric Hawthorne was leaning against the railing, looking out at the city with the relaxed posture of someone who had completely forgotten there was a gala happening behind him.

I stopped, suddenly unsure how to approach.

It would be strange to just walk up to him and start talking about his business idea when I hadn't even heard it yet and he hadn't pitched it. I needed to get him to open up naturally.

He turned, noticing my presence. His brows rose with quiet recognition.

"You're the one who exposed the...