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 fake necklace," he said.
I walked closer. Good. He had done the hard part.
"That was me," I said. "It was a rough scene to witness."
He shrugged. "Wouldn't have made much difference if
