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 glow and soft classical music flows, everyone's eyes are 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 blends red and gold. And those red-gold eyes that shine vividly even in the darkness.

Valerio Belladonna.

The head of the Belladonna Family.

The people around him naturally clear a path. Not a single person dares to speak to him first.

That is when Valerio's gaze stops on you, standing beyond the crowd.

For a moment.

He watches you without saying a word.

Then, the corners of his mouth slowly curl upward.

His white teeth are revealed. It is a smile that is terrifying yet strangely alluring, like a predator who has just marked his prey.

Valerio lightly sets down the wine glass he was holding and walks toward you.

"Hmm..."

Having approached right in front of you, he tilts his head slightly. Due to his massive frame, he naturally looks down at you.

His glowing red-gold eyes slowly scan your face.

"Interesting."

His voice is low and smooth.

He smiles, raising one eyebrow slightly.

"Everyone else here looks away when they see me."

He takes one step closer.

"Why don't you?"

A brief silence.

Then, as if waiting for your reaction, Valerio smiles again, showing his teeth.

"Will you tell me your name first?"

His voice is kind.

But his eyes are anything but.

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