The Vellvet Li. building welcomed only those who already knew how to find it.
From the outside, it looked like something the city had forgotten long ago, yet inside it carried quiet life that moved in careful rhythm, where every voice lowered itself out of habit rather than fear.
When Luna pushed the door open, the low hum of conversation spread across the room like smoke drifting under weak lights. Several assassins stood in loose groups, exchanging information disguised as casual talk, while others leaned against walls watching everything without appearing to listen. The air carried the scent of cigarettes and strong liquor, a mixture that clung to the ceiling as though the room itself refused to forget what had been spoken there over the years.
Some glanced at her when she entered, though most pretended not to notice. Luna had grown used to that balance of attention and avoidance. Recognition in this world rarely came with comfort.
She crossed the room without greeting anyone and made her way toward the office at the far end, its door carved with old patterns softened by time and constant use. Before she reached it, the door opened from the inside as though someone had already been watching her approach.
"Come in," a voice called.
The office felt heavier than the main hall, filled with shadows that seemed to rest permanently along the shelves lined with files and documents.
A dim lamp sat beside a large desk where Don Carsero waited, his age resting visibly across his posture but never dulling the sharpness in his eyes. Standing beside him was another elder man named Vittorio, thinner, quiet, and observant in a way that suggested he remembered everything he ever witnessed.
Two younger assassins stood inside when Luna entered, their attention shifting immediately toward Don Carsero. when he lifted his hand in silent dismissal. They left without protest, closing the door behind them and sealing the room in quiet authority.
Don Carsero leaned back in his chair, smoke curling slowly from the cigarette resting between his fingers as he studied Luna with a look that carried both approval and calculation.
"The news spread quickly this morning," he said, his voice calm yet deliberate, as though every word had already been measured before leaving his mouth. "Your assignment caused confusion among investigators. They found nothing that suggested struggle or forced entry, which tells me you handled the situation with the precision we expect from you."
Luna stood in front of the desk, her posture relaxed but attentive, allowing his words to pass without visible reaction. Praise often carried hidden expectations.
"I completed what I was assigned," she answered simply.
Vittorio adjusted the papers in his hands while observing her with quiet interest. "Your name is beginning to circulate among clients who prefer reliability."
Don Carsero let out a slow breath, watching the smoke fade above him before extending the cigarette toward her in casual invitation.
"Care to join me?"
Luna gave a small shake of her head. "No."
He chuckled softly, clearly unsurprised by her refusal, and returned the cigarette to his lips before reaching into a drawer and pulling out a dark folder tied neatly with a thin ribbon.
He slid it across the desk toward her, the gesture unhurried, allowing the moment to carry its own weight.
"Your next contract involves a family whose influence stretches further than most people realize," he said as Luna untied the ribbon and opened the file. "You will need to approach this carefully, even if the target himself appears uncomplicated."
The photograph inside revealed a man standing against a city skyline, dressed formally, his expression calm enough to appear trustworthy, though his eyes suggested quiet intelligence rather than innocence.
"Theodero De La Vega," Don V. said, filling the silence as Luna studied the image.
"Youngest son of a family deeply rooted in business and… other arrangements that rarely reach public records."
Don V. leaned forward slightly, resting his elbows on the desk while watching her read. "Their operations rely heavily on loyalty. Removing him will disturb them, which is precisely what our client wants. His older brother, Alejandro, has not been present for nearly five years, and without him, their structure has grown comfortable."
"So there is little resistance expected," Luna said.
"There is always resistance," Don Carsero replied, his tone calm but firm. "However, this assignment should remain manageable if handled correctly. Eliminate him, and your reward will reflect the importance of the contract. Just remember that failure would attract attention none of us can afford."
Luna closed the file slowly, absorbing the details already forming plans within her mind.
"I understand," she said, her voice steady enough to leave no doubt.
"Good," he answered, leaning back once more. "Then proceed carefully and make sure your name remains something people whisper rather than investigate."
The hallway outside carried cooler air, allowing Luna to breathe easier as she walked toward the exit, the file resting against her side like a silent promise. She barely noticed Hiro leaning against the wall until he pushed himself upright with a familiar half-smile that suggested he had been waiting long enough to grow bored.
"Another contract already?" he asked, falling into step beside her.
"You sound surprised," Luna replied.
"yup! I'm kind of jealous," he admitted with a quiet laugh. "You keep finishing jobs faster than anyone else here."
Before she could respond, another voice interrupted from behind them.
"Of course she does. The organization protects its favorite bitch."
The insult came from a woman standing near the corridor entrance, her posture sharp and confident, her eyes carrying irritation she no longer bothered to hide. Her name was Maris, known for intelligence that often turned into bitterness whenever Luna succeeded where she struggled.
Luna stopped walking and turned toward her, meeting the insult with calm that felt heavier than anger.
"If your frustration paid contracts," Luna said evenly, "you wouldn't still be waiting for recognition."
Maris scoffed, though her silence afterward betrayed the hit had landed. Luna turned away before the conversation could grow into something pointless. She had learned long ago that pride wasted energy she preferred saving for survival.
Hiro followed beside her again, shaking his head slightly. "One day she's going to push too far."
"Let her be. She won't be a problem for much longer.", Luna replied quietly, though her thoughts drifted elsewhere as she stepped outside into the night air where city lights stretched endlessly around her.
As she walked, she reopened the file and allowed Theodero's photograph to catch her attention once more. There was something unsettling about how calm he appeared, as if he belonged in a world untouched by violence.
"Damn, This man is handsome," she murmured under her breath, surprising even herself before closing the folder again.
..
Across the city, the De La Vega headquarters towered above surrounding buildings, its glass walls reflecting afternoon sunlight in a way that symbolized power carefully maintained through generations.
Inside the conference room, Theodero sat at the long table surrounded by executives discussing shipping routes, investment risks, and construction timelines that would shape their expansion for the coming year. He listened more than he spoke, allowing others to present information before offering calm, thoughtful responses that kept discussions steady.
At the head of the table sat his mother, Elena De La Vega, whose presence alone commanded attention without needing to raise her voice. Years of leadership had sharpened her instincts, and the respect she carried within the company never required explanation.
"Our business thrives because we maintain discipline," she said while reviewing documents placed before her. "One careless decision Theo, can damage everything to this."
Theodero nodded slightly, understanding the weight behind her words. "The teams are working to improve internal management and employee supervision. We won't allow mistakes to grow into larger problems."
She studied him for a moment before speaking again, her tone softening just enough to show maternal concern beneath authority. "Alejandro will be returning soon."
The announcement created visible surprise among several executives, though Theodero remained still, absorbing the information carefully.
"He will expect perfection," she continued. "You know how he handles failure."
"I know," Theodero answered.
She closed the folder in front of her before standing, signaling the meeting was nearing its end.
"There will also be a family event tomorrow evening. A masquerade ball attended by investors and allies who value appearances as much as loyalty. You are all required to attend."
Matteo allowed a faint smile to appear.
"Understood." He replied, as the others nooded in agreement
"Good," she said, her gaze firm yet proud. "The De La Vega name must remain strong, especially with your brother returning."
The conference room still carried the quiet pressure left behind by unfinished conversations. Several executives remained seated, reviewing reports they no longer seemed focused on, while others exchanged cautious glances toward Elena as she closed the final folder in front of her.
The name printed across the documents read Del Vga. G Holdings, a corporation known publicly for luxury import trade and high-end property development, though its true reach extended into dealings that rarely entered legal records.
Elena adjusted the sleeve of her blazer before rising from her chair. The movement alone made the remaining staff straighten instinctively, their respect tied not only to her authority but to the legacy her family had built over decades.
Theodero noticed the way her expression shifted slightly, something subtle yet familiar enough for him to recognize. She was thinking about something beyond the meeting agenda.
As she stepped away from the head of the table and began walking toward the exit, employees along the glass walls lowered their voices. Her presence demanded attention without request.
She had only reached halfway across the room when Theodero spoke.
"Why did Alejandro come back early?"
His voice carried calm curiosity, though the question revealed the unease he had been holding since her announcement. Several employees paused their work without turning, pretending to remain occupied while quietly listening.
Elena slowed her steps, allowing a faint smile to form before she turned toward him. She did not answer immediately. Instead, she glanced toward a junior employee arranging decorative plants near the conference wall.
"The leaves are becoming brittle," she said gently, her voice steady and composed. "Make sure they are watered properly."
"Yes, ma'am," the employee replied, nodding quickly before stepping away with visible tension in his shoulders.
Only after the distraction moved aside did Elena shift her full attention back to her son. She angled her body toward him, closing the distance between authority and intimacy, allowing her voice to lower just enough that only he could hear clearly.
"There is a large internal problem forming within Del Vga's private shipping network," she explained, her tone calm yet weighted with meaning. "Your father attempted to contain it quietly, but the situation continued spreading. He reached a point where pride became less important than stability."
Thodero leaned slightly forward, resting his hands against the table's edge as he studied her face. "So he asked Alejandro to fix it."
Elena's expression softened in a way that carried complicated truth.
"Indeed, your father… bk—" she paused, collecting herself, her voice lowering. "Your father asked him… and Alejandro accepted it, since your father begged him.", she said quietly.
The admission created a brief silence around them, though the room remained filled with distant movement and papers shifting softly across desks.
Theodero exhaled slowly, processing the statement. "Father rarely begs anyone."
"He trusts Alejandro more than he trusts most men he has ever worked with," Elena replied, folding her arms loosely while watching his reaction. "Your brother has always carried his confidence in situations that require immediate decisions."
Theodero nodded once, though his eyes lowered toward the documents scattered across the table.
"He left five years ago," he said. "He never wanted to return."
"He returned because your father asked him to protect what he built," she answered, her voice maintaining composure while her gaze sharpened slightly. "And because Alejandro understands the responsibility attached to this family name."
Theodero straightened his posture, his jaw tightening just enough to reveal tension he rarely allowed others to notice. "I have been handling operations since he left. I've been maintaining the company's growth and stabilizing internal management."
"I know," Elena said softly, stepping closer. She reached out and adjusted the collar of his suit with practiced maternal care, her fingers brushing against the fabric slowly, deliberately. "You have worked hard, honey. You truly have."
The familiar nickname softened Theodero's guarded expression. His shoulders lowered slightly, the defensive edge in his posture easing under her tone.
"But effort alone does not create leadership," she continued gently, her hand resting briefly against his shoulder before falling back to her side. "Your father believes Alejandro is better suited to command the company during crisis. He has always trusted his instincts." Theodero swallowed, his eyes briefly shifting toward the floor before returning to her.
"So you think I am not ready."
Elena tilted her head slightly, her expression carefully balanced between honesty and affection.
"I think you are still learning," she said, her voice warm but firm. "Your brother has already faced situations that forced him to grow faster than you did."
The words struck deeper than their calm delivery suggested. Theodero remained silent, his fingers pressing lightly against the table surface as he absorbed the comparison.
Elena studied him for a moment before her expression softened further.
She lifted her hand and brushed an invisible crease from his jacket, her gesture almost comforting.
"Even if Alejandro performs perfectly," she continued quietly, "you have always been my favorite. I want you to succeed, Theo. I want to see you stand above expectations. I want your father to look at you one day and recognize your capability he cannot ignore."
His eyes lifted slightly, searching her face for certainty he had been chasing since childhood.
"I can prove myself," he said, his voice steady but touched with determination.
"I know you can," she replied, offering a small approving smile. "Make your mother proud. Show your father that you can lead De Vga G. Holdings without standing behind your brother's shadow."
The room seemed quieter around them, though employees continued pretending to focus on their tasks while absorbing fragments of the conversation.
Elena stepped back slightly, her posture returning to composed authority.
"I will be returning home to prepare for tomorrow evening's event," she said smoothly. "The masquerade ball will determine which investors remain loyal. You must attend and present yourself properly."
"I will," Theodero answered immediately.
She studied him once more, her gaze lingering with something deeper than business expectation before turning toward the exit again.
As she walked away, Theodero remained standing near the conference table, watching her leave. The moment carried familiar comfort mixed with pressure he had learned to accept without question. His loyalty to her approval ran deeper than he often admitted, shaping decisions he had not yet realized he was making.
Behind him, the quiet shuffle of employees resumed as the meeting officially dissolved into routine operations, but Theodero stayed still, replaying her words in his mind while the weight of Alejandro's return settled heavily in his chest.