The black rose invitation

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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