Villain of Fate: The Tyrant System-Chapter 44: Beneath the Blue Light

Beneath the Blue Light

Bianca De Dominicis stood by the door of the Aqua foodcourt before he got there. The moment he showed up, she was already in place.

Over there, the structure climbed into view - smooth arcs of glass swallowing golden rays and turning them liquid, almost oceanic. Light bent sideways through clear sections, slipping underwater tones onto concrete below, where flickers danced as if stirred by invisible currents.

Bianca stood beneath that shifting glow.

There she was, eyes catching sight of Julian D’Aurelius across the distance. Her fingers rose, waving with quiet ease. A grin crept out, slow and warm, lighting her face without hurry.

She dressed in a white shirt today, sleeves ending just below the elbow. Hugging her shape tightly, it traced every curve, drew eyes to where her chest rose with quiet assurance. Onlookers glanced, then looked again, throats moving briefly. Near the top, buttons pulled faintly, holding on like they might give at any breath.

A soft gray skirt sat snug at her hips, curving gently around her waist and ending just shy of the knee. With each small move, the black stockings on her legs shimmered faintly under the glow. The peach heels added quiet sharpness - clean lines, poised, impossible to ignore.

A quiet strength pulsed through her, mixed with something harder to name. Not quite danger, but close enough to make you pause. Her presence pulled at attention like a current beneath still water.

She moved through rooms, her presence sharp even when dressed plainly. Not loud, but felt - a quiet pull beneath smooth fabrics. Sometimes traditional wear, sometimes office clothes, it didn’t matter. The way she held herself cut through noise. Cool on the surface, yes, but something warmer lingered underneath. Like danger tucked inside soft folds of cloth.

Many men nearby had been stealing glances.

A few had already tried approaching her.

Every single one had failed.

"I’m waiting for my boyfriend," she had replied with calm indifference.

So they lingered, curious, waiting to see what kind of bastard had earned such fortune.

Then Julian arrived.

The Bugatti Veyron rolled to a smooth stop.

Doors lifted like wings.

He stepped out—tall, composed, black hair sharp against the fading light, golden eyes cool and unreadable.

The men watching went silent.

If nothing else, that car alone proved he existed in a different world.

"Damn, all the good women end up with dogs," someone muttered bitterly under his breath.

They could only curse in their hearts.

Julian walked toward Bianca, expression controlled.

"Do we really have to discuss business here?" he asked flatly.

His gaze flicked toward the glowing aquarium walls.

[Damn it, isn’t the Aqua foodcourt the kind of place lovers go to get intimate under dim light while pretending to eat?]

[Even as a shameless villain, I can’t handle this.]

[Are we really discussing business, or is this some billion-Euro trap beneath seductive lighting before I die in the hands of protagonist Evan?]

Bianca’s lips twitched slightly.

"Shameless villain?" she echoed inwardly with an amused smile.

Was he seriously afraid she would devour him?

Even if she did, wouldn’t he be the one benefiting?

Hmph.

"Yes," she replied smoothly. "It’s romantic here."

She extended her arm toward him.

"What?"

"Link arms. Or would you prefer holding hands? Or perhaps I wrap my arm around yours?"

Her tone was casual. Her eyes were not.

"Please maintain some decorum," Julian replied coldly. "If we’re discussing business, let’s discuss business properly."

[Link arms? This woman is up to no good.]

[Play like this in public and soon all of Valemont will think we’re together.]

[Restrain yourself. It’s normal to desire me, but control yourself.]

Bianca almost laughed.

"Oh? And what about the person in the photo? No sense of decorum—holding my panty near his lips with that smile?"

Her voice was light. Effortless.

Julian went silent.

"... "

He knew.

Indirect threat.

Classic corporate blackmail.

He exhaled slowly.

Then, reluctantly, he linked arms with her.

The moment their arms touched, a subtle current seemed to pass between them.

Her body warmth through the thin fabric.

Her scent—faint, refined, impossible to ignore.

He stiffened slightly.

[Don’t react.]

[It’s just physical contact.]

[You are a true dragon. Remain unmoved.]

Inside, Bianca smirked.

Unmoved?

His heartbeat had clearly accelerated.

They entered.

The Aqua foodcourt was less a restaurant and more an underwater illusion. Massive glass walls surrounded the dining space, beyond which schools of fish glided gracefully. Soft blue light filtered through the water, casting moving shadows across the tables.

Candles flickered at each setting.

Romantic.

Dangerously so.

Dining here felt like floating beneath the ocean.

Many wealthy couples preferred private rooms.

Privacy.

Dimness.

Opportunity.

Before meals even began, people were already whispering closely, hands wandering beneath tablecloths.

If the fish had intelligence, they would have mastered human mating rituals by now.

Julian’s lips twitched.

[The owner of this place must be a pervert.]

[Don’t go into a private room. Dining outside is fine.]

[Even if we go into a private room, I won’t give in.]

[Ever heard the saying? A sparrow can’t match a true dragon.]

[Although you’re not exactly a sparrow. Hah.]

Bianca’s face darkened slightly as she "accidentally" overheard that.

Can’t match him?

Today, she would see just how unmatchable he truly was.

A hostess approached politely.

"Private room or main hall?"

Julian opened his mouth—

"Private room," Bianca answered calmly.

Julian shot her a look.

She returned it sweetly.

"Business discussions require privacy," she said.

"Transparency builds trust," he countered.

"Confidentiality builds profit."

Their eyes locked.

The hostess awkwardly gestured toward the corridor.

Julian inhaled slowly.

[Calm.]

[If she makes one wrong move, retreat immediately.]

They followed the hostess.

Inside the private room, blue light rippled across the walls like living silk.

The table was small.

Intimate.

Too intimate.

Bianca removed her coat gracefully and took her seat.

Her posture was elegant, legs crossing smoothly, skirt adjusting perfectly over her hips.

Julian sat opposite her, deliberately maintaining distance.

She leaned forward slightly.

"Relax," she said softly. "I’m not going to eat you."

[That’s exactly what someone who plans to eat me would say.]

She watched him resist smiling.

"Julian," she continued, voice lowering, "why do you look like you’re entering a battlefield?"

"Because I am," he replied calmly.

She tilted her head.

"And I’m the enemy?"

"That remains to be seen."

A faint smile curved her lips.

"Good. I prefer capable opponents."

Under the shifting ocean light, their gazes held.

Tension.

Playful.

Dangerous.

Bianca leaned her chin lightly against her fingers.

"Let’s talk about fifty-billion-level mutual benefit," she said.

Julian met her crimson eyes without flinching.

"Talk," he replied coolly.

Inside—

[Stay alert.]

[She cannot outmatch a true dragon.]

Across the table, Bianca’s smile deepened.

Today, she would show him exactly how wrong he was.