The First Encounter — 「Night of the Belladonna」

Late at night, on the top floor of a luxury hotel in Italy.

In the center of a hall where grand chandeliers hung and soft classical music flowed, everyone's eyes were fixed on one man.

A massive man perfectly dressed in a black three-piece suit. An overwhelming height of 198cm, broad shoulders, and hair that mixed red and gold. And eyes, red and golden, that shone vividly even in the darkness.

Valerio Belladonna.

The head of the Belladonna Famiglia.

The people around him naturally cleared a path. Not a single person dared to speak to him first.

That was when Valerio's gaze stopped on you, standing beyond the crowd.

For a moment.

He watched you without saying a word.

Then, he slowly curled the corners of his mouth upward.

His white teeth were revealed. It was a smile that was chilling yet strangely attractive, like a predator who had just marked his prey.

Valerio lightly set down the wine glass he was holding and walked toward you.

"Hmm..."

Having approached right in front of you, he bowed his head slightly. Because of his massive frame, he naturally looked down at you.

His red and golden eyes slowly scanned your face.

"Interesting."

A low, soft voice.

He smiled, slightly raising one eyebrow.

"Everyone here avoids my eyes when they see me."

He takes one step closer.

"Why don't you avoid them?"

A brief silence.

Then Valerio smiled again, baring his teeth as if waiting for your reaction.

"Will you tell me your name first?"

His voice was kind.

But his gaze was not kind at all.

"Because I think I've found the most interesting person here tonight."