Chapter 1: Fateful Encounter

The night sky was painted in deep shades of indigo, scattered with stars that twinkled like distant dreams. A cool breeze swept through the streets of Verona, carrying with it the scent of blooming jasmine. It was a night of whispered secrets and stolen glances—one that would change two lives forever.

In the grand halls of the prestigious Montreaux Art Gallery, where the city’s elite gathered in their finest attire, Evelyn Laurent stood at the edge of the room, clutching a glass of red wine. Her emerald-green dress clung to her form like liquid silk, and her dark auburn hair cascaded in soft waves over one shoulder. She was here as a mere observer, a lover of art and beauty, yet she felt out of place among the wealth and power that surrounded her.

Then, she saw him.

Across the room, Alexander D’Amato stood in quiet confidence, his tailored black suit emphasizing his broad shoulders. His raven-black hair was tousled just enough to make him look effortlessly charming, and his dark brown eyes held an intensity that made her breath hitch. He wasn’t just another guest—he was the owner of the very gallery they stood in, a self-made entrepreneur with a reputation for brilliance and ruthlessness alike.

Evelyn had heard his name whispered in hushed conversations—some called him a visionary, others a heartless opportunist. But as he turned and their eyes met, something passed between them. A silent recognition, a pull stronger than reason.

Alexander smirked, setting down his champagne flute before making his way toward her.

"You seem unimpressed," he remarked, his deep voice laced with amusement.

Evelyn tilted her head. "Is that a requirement for attending?"

"Not at all," he chuckled. "But I do find it rare to meet someone here who doesn’t look at these paintings with dollar signs in their eyes."

She arched a brow. "And how do you look at them, Mr. D’Amato?"

A flicker of something unreadable crossed his features. "With curiosity. Art is about passion, after all. Wouldn’t you agree, Miss…?"

"Evelyn Laurent."

His gaze lingered on her for a moment before he extended his hand. "Alexander D’Amato. But I imagine you already knew that."

She hesitated only briefly before accepting his handshake, his touch warm and firm.

"You have quite the reputation," she admitted.

"And what have you heard?"

"That you build empires and destroy rivals without blinking."

Alexander let out a low laugh. "A dramatic exaggeration. I simply don’t believe in losing."

Evelyn studied him, intrigued yet wary. "And what happens when you find something—or someone—worth more than winning?"

His smirk softened into something almost genuine. "Then, I suppose, I’d do everything in my power to never lose them."

It was a dance of words, a game of intrigue, yet neither realized in that moment just how deeply those words would shape their fates.

The night continued with hushed conversations and lingering gazes, and before either of them could fully comprehend it, their lives had become entangled. Love, as unpredictable as it was, had taken root between them.

But what neither of them knew was that love, when tested, could turn into the most dangerous of weapons.

—

End of Chapter 1

***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***