The city buzzed beneath Valentina's feet, unaware of the silent storm about to break. From the rooftop balcony of her Polanco penthouse, she watched the skyline like a hawk. Dressed in black with her hair slicked back, she looked like royalty carved from obsidian. But beneath the surface—something old and raw was clawing to get out.
No matter how high I rise… the past still finds me.
Unmarked Graves
Mateo led her through the outskirts of Tepito to a desolate lot hidden behind rusted metal gates.
"This is where they buried them," he said softly. "Your father's crew. The ones who stayed loyal."
Valentina knelt, brushing dirt off one of the crude crosses. Her fingers trembled.
"He died fighting for something," she whispered. "And I've been chasing ghosts ever since."
She pulled out a small vial of golden poison and poured a drop onto the soil.
"For the forgotten," she said. "And for those who will never be forgotten again."
Secrets in Satin
Later that night, at an upscale charity gala in Condesa, Valentina entered in a crimson gown that turned every head. Cameras flashed. Politicians smiled. But in the shadows—danger waited.
She felt it before she saw her: Sofia Herrera.
Standing across the ballroom in an emerald dress, Xavier's legitimate daughter looked poised, calm… deadly.
They locked eyes. Neither blinked.
Sofia approached, holding two champagne flutes. "You clean up well, Ms. Cruz."
"You too," Valentina replied coolly. "But I prefer tequila."
"Same," Sofia said with a smirk. "We have more in common than you think."
The subtext was razor-sharp.
Does she know?Does she suspect?
Sofia leaned in and whispered, "You should be careful whose game you're playing. Not everyone wants to see a new queen rise."
And with that, she was gone.
Diego's Dilemma
In a safehouse packed with cartel intel, Diego studied the board.
Lines, photos, red threads—Xavier at the center. But Valentina's web had grown terrifyingly large.
"She's not a side player anymore," his partner muttered. "She's building a damn empire."
Diego said nothing. His eyes were locked on a surveillance photo—Valentina exiting a casino, face unreadable.
She's brilliant. Dangerous. But is she the enemy… or the cure?
He reached for his phone, thumb hovering over her encrypted number.
One message. One line could destroy everything… or save her.
Loyalty Tested
Back in her private office, Valentina confronted Lucia.
"Why didn't you tell me Sofia was sniffing around my businesses?"
Lucia hesitated. "I wanted to be sure before bringing it to you."
Valentina's stare was cold. "You don't get to choose when to protect me."
Lucia's face hardened. "You're not a god, Valentina. You bleed like the rest of us."
A long pause.
Valentina turned away. "Just make sure I'm the last one who does."
End Scene – Something Rotten
Power has a price. And Valentina's past—buried under lies and blood—is clawing back to the surface. Sofia isn't just a threat. She might be family. And Diego? He's about to cross a line no DEA agent should.
The empire is rising… but the cracks are growing louder.