Ethan was standing with one of the guests, a glass of wine in hand, when a man, Robert Langston, approached him.
“Robert,” Ethan said, nodding politely while keeping his expression neutral. “I wasn’t expecting to see you here.”
“I could say the same about you, even though it’s your grandmother’s birthday,” Robert replied with a smile, his eyes twinkling. “But I must admit, your grandmother’s reputation precedes her. I couldn’t miss the chance to be part of the celebration.”
Ethan gave a slight chuckle, the first hint of warmth in his voice. “My grandmother has that effect on people.”
The two men exchanged pleasantries for a moment, but Ethan could tell that Robert wasn’t here to talk about the party alone.
“I know this is hardly the place for business,” Robert continued, his tone shif
