The first time Eric saw Ella was at the mall. She was buying a dress, and the young girl's unique aura caught his attention.
The second time was at her coming-of-age party. He saw a waiter spiking a drink and noticed her switch her own drink with Hannah's. At that moment, he found her intriguing and clever.
Much like him.
Eric had lived in a world of schemes since he was seven.
When he was seven, his biological mother fell to her death, and a month later, his father, James Nelson, brought his stepmother and half-brother into the Nelson family.
His stepmother, Grace Miller, appeared kind and loving but was actually sinister and malicious, constantly plotting against Eric.
Fortunately, Eric was cautious. After Grace's first attempt to poison him failed, he changed completely, surviving carefully under the protection of the old butler.