The first move

Episode 9: The First Move

Evelyn sat in the back of Leon’s sleek black car, her mind spinning. Donovan Graves’ warning echoed in her head.

"Once you start uncovering the past, it has a way of pulling you under."

Leon drove in silence, one hand on the wheel, his golden eyes focused on the road. The city lights flickered across his sharp features, casting shadows that made him look even more dangerous.

Finally, he spoke. “You’re thinking too much.”

Evelyn turned to him. “How can I not? That man knew something—something about my family. And he was trying to scare me away.”

Leon smirked. “Did it work?”

Evelyn exhaled, shaking her head. “No.”

Leon chuckled. “Good.”

She crossed her arms. “What now?”

Leon tapped his fingers against the steering wheel. “Now? We dig deeper.” He glanced at her. “Graves won’t hand us answers. But if we push the right buttons, he’ll slip.”

Evelyn frowned. “And how do we do that?”

Leon’s smirk turned sharper. “We make the first move.”

—

The Next Day | The Everleigh Estate

Evelyn sat at the grand dining table, stirring her tea absentmindedly. Across from her, her father, William Everleigh, read the newspaper as if nothing in the world could touch him.

She had grown up fearing and admiring him—an untouchable businessman, a man who commanded power without needing to raise his voice.

But now, all she saw was a man hiding something.

“Father,” she said carefully, setting her spoon down.

William glanced at her over the rim of his newspaper. “Yes?”

She hesitated for a fraction of a second. “I met Donovan Graves last night.”

A barely noticeable pause. Then, William folded his newspaper and set it aside. “Did you?”

Evelyn nodded. “He was… interesting.”

Her father smiled, but it didn’t reach his eyes. “Stay away from him, Evelyn.”

A chill ran down her spine. “Why?”

William picked up his teacup, his movements too smooth. “Because some men operate in shadows. It’s best not to follow them.”

Evelyn clenched her fists under the table. “And what if the shadows are already following me?”

Her father finally looked at her directly, his gaze unreadable. “Then, my dear, you need to be smart enough to stay ahead.”

—

Meanwhile | Valenciaga Penthouse

Leon leaned against his desk, flipping through the confidential files Jace had retrieved.

Donovan Graves. The Black Rose Society. The Everleighs.

Everything was tangled together, and he was getting tired of the puzzle. He needed leverage—something to force Graves to talk.

Jace entered the room, his expression grim. “We have a problem.”

Leon glanced up. “What now?”

Jace tossed a folder onto the desk. “I looked into Donovan Graves like you asked.”

Leon picked up the file, skimming through it. But when he reached the last page, his grip tightened.

It was a photograph.

A picture of William Everleigh and Donovan Graves—standing together, shaking hands.

Leon’s jaw clenched.

So the Everleighs weren’t just connected to the Black Rose Society. They were working with them.

And Evelyn had no idea.

Leon exhaled slowly, his golden eyes darkening.

She wanted the truth.

She wasn’t going to like it.

—

To be continued…

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