Episode 1:

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Episode 1: The Black Rose Invitation

The city of Velmora was a place where light and shadow coexisted in an eternal dance. Tall glass buildings glittered under the artificial glow of neon signs, but beneath the surface, darkness thrived. The streets hummed with life, but even the most vibrant parts of the city held secrets—secrets that Leon "Shadow" Valenciaga had spent years weaving into the very fabric of the underworld.

Leon sat in his office high above the city. The room was bathed in the dim red glow of the city lights below, casting shadows that seemed to stretch and flicker with life of their own. His sharp gaze remained focused on the glass in front of him, the amber liquid swirling as he gently stirred it. His fingers, adorned with rings, were a stark contrast to his otherwise cold demeanor.

He had built the Valenciaga Mafia from the ground up—one deal, one threat at a time. But power, as he well knew, was fragile. The mafia world was always shifting, like a game of chess. And right now, someone was making a move he hadn’t expected.

The knock on the door broke his thoughts.

"Enter," Leon’s voice was low and controlled.

Jace, one of his most trusted lieutenants, stepped into the room, holding a sealed envelope in his hands. It was unusual for Jace to look unsettled, but something in his expression suggested that this wasn’t just any routine report.

“Boss,” Jace said, his voice tight, “this was left at the front gate. No sign of who dropped it off.”

Leon glanced up. His sharp eyes locked onto the envelope, noticing the seal immediately. The wax was deep black, and it was stamped with an emblem he hadn’t seen in years—a rose. Not just any rose, but the symbol of the Everleigh family.

He took the envelope, feeling the weight of it in his hands. Slowly, he broke the seal and unfolded the letter inside. The handwriting was elegant, almost too perfect.

"The past never dies, no matter how deep you bury it. Shall we dig together?

— The One Who Remembers."

Leon’s jaw tightened. The Everleighs. Of all the people to bring up the past. The Everleigh family, one of the wealthiest and most influential in Velmora, had always stayed out of the public eye. Their connections were far-reaching, and their influence was untouchable. But what most didn’t know was that beneath their polished facade, they had a dark history—one Leon had been tied to for far longer than anyone realized.

And at the center of that family was Evelyn Everleigh, the only daughter. Innocent, untouched by the world’s darkness, or so everyone thought. She had always been the symbol of purity in the Everleigh lineage, the perfect heir to the family’s wealth and legacy.

But Leon knew better. He had known Evelyn when they were younger, before everything had changed. Before the past had caught up with them.

Leon’s fingers curled around the letter.

“What’s this about?” Jace asked, watching Leon closely.

“The Everleighs want to play a dangerous game,” Leon replied, his voice low. “And I’m going to make sure they regret it.”

Jace nodded, sensing the weight of the situation. “What do you want us to do?”

Leon stood up, walking over to the large window that overlooked the city. His reflection was dim in the glass, but the cold intensity in his eyes was unmistakable.

“Find out everything about Evelyn Everleigh. Her whereabouts, her schedule, everything. I want to know what she’s hiding.”

“You think she’s involved?”

“I don’t know yet,” Leon said, turning away from the window. “But I’m certain of one thing. Whoever sent this letter knows far more than they’re letting on. And they’ve just made a mistake by dragging her into it.”

Leon’s voice was steady, but there was a fire in his chest. The past had never stayed buried for long. It always resurfaced when least expected.

As Jace left to carry out the order, Leon couldn’t shake the feeling that this was just the beginning of something much bigger—a game of secrets, lies, and power that would pull him back into the world he’d tried to leave behind.

The clock was ticking, and the shadows were closing in.

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Episode 2: The Unraveling Thread

The morning after receiving the letter, the city of Velmora woke with its usual bustle. But for Leon "Shadow" Valenciaga, the weight of the previous night’s discovery hung heavy in the air. Every corner of his empire seemed to breathe tension.

In the heart of the Valenciaga estate, Leon stood before a massive wall of monitors, each one flickering with information about Evelyn Everleigh. His team had already been hard at work, gathering every scrap of intel they could find. But there was something unsettling about the Everleigh family’s perfect image—nothing seemed out of place.

A soft knock echoed behind him, and Leon turned to see Jace enter with a stack of files.

“Nothing too unusual about her life,” Jace began, setting the folders on the desk. “She’s the perfect heir to the Everleigh fortune—public appearances, charity events, and the occasional gala. Her personal life is as clean as a whistle.”

Leon leaned over the desk, flipping through the files. There were photos of Evelyn smiling at public events, laughing with friends, always in the presence of the elite.

But Leon knew better. A facade like that didn’t come without a price.

“Anything in the family history?” Leon asked.

Jace hesitated before nodding. “There’s one thing. Years ago, there was a fire in the Everleigh estate, when Evelyn was still a child. It’s mostly forgotten, but there were whispers. Some said it was an accident, others believed it was intentional—maybe even a cover-up. The authorities never found a cause, but it’s been buried ever since.”

Leon’s gaze hardened. A fire, a hidden tragedy… It was the kind of thing people tried to erase from memory. The kind of thing that tied people together, whether they wanted it or not.

“You think the letter is connected to that?” Jace asked, watching him closely.

“I think it’s more than just the letter,” Leon murmured. “There’s something they’re hiding, something from the past. And I’m going to find out what it is.”

His thoughts were interrupted by a soft chime from his phone. A new message. It was from an anonymous number.

“Evelyn Everleigh will be at the Empire Gala tonight. But you already knew that, didn’t you, Leon?”

The message sent a chill through his spine. Someone was watching him, pulling the strings. Whoever sent that message knew too much about his movements.

“What’s the Empire Gala?” Jace asked, his voice tinged with curiosity.

“It’s an event that brings the city’s elite together once a year,” Leon said, his mind racing. “The Everleighs always attend, of course. But I think tonight, we’ll be making an appearance too.”

—

That night, the Empire Gala glittered with opulence, a sea of silver and gold as the rich and powerful of Velmora mingled in their finest attire. The venue was a palace in its own right—crystal chandeliers hung from the ceiling, casting a warm glow over the perfectly manicured crowd. Leon stood in the corner of the grand ballroom, his eyes scanning the room, waiting for the right moment to approach.

Evelyn Everleigh was here, dressed in a stunning emerald gown that shimmered under the lights. She appeared to be the epitome of grace and beauty, her blonde hair styled in delicate waves, her blue eyes wide and bright as she laughed with her friends.

But there was something about the way she carried herself—a nervousness hidden behind a perfect smile. Leon could see the cracks in her facade, the way she seemed to recoil every time someone spoke her name too loudly.

“Do you see her?” Jace asked, stepping up beside him.

Leon nodded without breaking his gaze. “She’s too perfect. No one is this flawless. Especially not someone connected to the Everleighs.”

Jace’s eyes narrowed. “You don’t think she’s the one behind this, do you?”

“I don’t know yet,” Leon replied, his voice low. “But if she’s hiding something, I’m going to make her tell me.”

The music swirled around them as Leon moved through the crowd, his presence almost magnetic. The guests parted subtly as he passed, the air thick with the unspoken power he carried. As he reached the center of the ballroom, his gaze remained fixed on Evelyn. She was alone now, standing by a balcony, looking out at the city below.

It was the perfect opportunity.

Leon walked toward her, his every step deliberate, the weight of the night pressing against him. As he approached, Evelyn turned, her gaze meeting his. There was a flicker of recognition in her eyes, followed by an almost imperceptible flinch.

“I didn’t expect to see you here,” she said, her voice soft but steady.

Leon smirked. “You never do.”

He stepped closer, his presence like a shadow at her back. The music seemed to fade into the distance as the tension between them thickened.

“I’ve heard rumors about your family, Evelyn,” Leon said, his voice low, almost dangerous. “And I know you’ve heard the same about mine. But I’m more interested in the things we both haven’t heard. The things we’re not supposed to know.”

Evelyn’s eyes flickered, a brief moment of vulnerability breaking through her composed exterior. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

Leon smiled, his fingers brushing the edge of the black rose pinned to his suit jacket. “Oh, I think you do.”

—

To be continued…

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Episode 3: A Dance with Shadows

Evelyn took a slow step back, her fingers gripping the edge of the balcony railing. The city lights stretched endlessly behind her, a sea of golden reflections shimmering in the night. But at this moment, all she could focus on was the man standing before her.

Leon Valenciaga.

Tall, imposing, and dangerous. The weight of his gaze pinned her in place, his golden eyes reflecting the soft glow of the gala lights. He had always been a ghost of the underworld—whispered about in dark corners, feared by those who crossed him. And yet, here he was, standing in front of her as if they were old acquaintances.

“I don’t know what you mean,” Evelyn repeated, her voice softer this time.

Leon let out a quiet chuckle, shaking his head. “Lying doesn’t suit you, princess.”

Evelyn stiffened at the nickname. It wasn’t the first time someone had called her that, but coming from him, it felt different. Almost mocking. Almost intimate.

He leaned in slightly, just enough to make her nervous. “The letter. The black rose. Someone wants to bring the past back to life. And somehow, you’re right in the middle of it.”

Evelyn’s breath hitched. The letter? He had received one too?

For a split second, panic flashed in her eyes, but she was quick to mask it. “You think I have something to do with that?” she asked, tilting her chin up defiantly.

Leon studied her carefully. She was good—trained, even. Most people crumbled under his gaze, but she held her ground. Still, there was something in her eyes. A flicker of something she wasn’t saying.

“I think you know more than you’re letting on,” Leon said, voice smooth as silk.

Evelyn turned away, gripping the railing tighter. “I don’t involve myself in my family’s affairs, Mr. Valenciaga. I suggest you do the same.”

Leon smirked at her attempt to push him away. “That’s the thing, Evelyn. The Everleighs and I? We’re already involved.”

Before she could respond, the music shifted inside the ballroom, signaling the start of the formal waltz. A waiter passed by, carrying a tray of champagne glasses, and Leon smoothly plucked one from the tray.

“If you don’t want to talk,” he said, swirling the glass lazily, “then dance with me instead.”

Evelyn blinked. “Excuse me?”

Leon downed the champagne in one effortless motion, then stepped closer, his body radiating confidence. “You heard me.”

Evelyn hesitated. The last thing she needed was to be seen dancing with him—the most notorious man in Velmora’s underworld. But before she could refuse, Leon reached out, catching her hand in his.

A shiver ran through her at his touch.

“Just one dance,” he murmured, his voice a low challenge. “Unless you’re afraid.”

Evelyn’s pride flared. She was an Everleigh—she never backed down. Taking a deep breath, she lifted her chin. “Fine.”

Leon led her onto the dance floor with an easy grace, his presence commanding. As soon as his hand found the curve of her waist, Evelyn knew she had made a mistake.

Because dancing with Leon Valenciaga was dangerous.

And not just because of who he was.

Because of the way he made her feel.

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To be continued…

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