Chapter 1:the mask of business

The boardroom of Vale Enterprises gleamed with an almost sterile perfection, the glass walls reflecting the afternoon sun like polished mirrors. Inside, Lucas Vale sat at the head of a long mahogany table, his posture impeccable, his tuxedo crisp. On the surface, he was every bit the young, ambitious executive—confident, persuasive, and impeccably composed. To the investors leaning forward with notebooks open and tablets ready, he was a master of strategy, a man who promised growth and security.

Lucas’s smile was calm, almost effortless, as he tapped the tablet before him. Graphs and projections lit up the screen, showing rising trends, calculated risks, and predictive models that made the most skeptical eyebrow raise in reluctant approval. “As I’ve explained,” he said, his tone smooth, deliberate, “this acquisition will not only strengthen your portfolios but also secure long-term revenue growth. The properties are strategically located, the tenant retention rates are consistent, and the potential for development is substantial. This isn’t speculation—it’s calculated investment.”

An older investor leaned back in his chair, adjusting his glasses. “Mr. Vale,” he began, “your projections are impressive, but are you certain this market can sustain such growth? It seems… ambitious, perhaps overly so.”

Lucas’s smile deepened just slightly, the kind of smile that concealed both amusement and warning. “Ambition,” he said, “is not a flaw—it’s a necessity. Especially when every factor has been accounted for. Market volatility, zoning regulations, demographic shifts, tenant behavior… I’ve calculated every variable to minimize risk and maximize returns.” His fingers tapped lightly on the table, precise, controlled.

There was a pause, a quiet that hung in the room like tension before a storm. The investors exchanged glances, some impressed, others cautious. But the charm in Lucas’s presentation was undeniable. Every word was carefully measured, every inflection deliberate. He made them feel that he was not just offering an opportunity—he was guaranteeing success.

“Excellent,” a younger investor finally said, leaning forward. “I’ll authorize the funds tomorrow. We’re on board.”

Lucas inclined his head slightly, acknowledging their approval with practiced grace. “Thank you. Together, we will ensure that every investment thrives. I promise transparency, accountability, and results.” He stood, adjusting the cuffs of his tuxedo. “And I assure you, this is only the beginning.”

The investors filed out slowly, their expressions a mixture of admiration and awe. Lucas watched each one leave, counting the subtle ticks of their reactions—hesitation, excitement, nervousness. Every detail mattered. Every behavior was data. The boardroom emptied, leaving him alone with the soft hum of the city beyond the glass walls.

Alone, Lucas’s calm demeanor didn’t falter, but the mask slipped for just a heartbeat. His eyes, sharp and calculating, scanned the city below. To the casual observer, he was just another young executive, ambitious and polished. But in the shadows of the city, Red Rose moved differently. He was more than a businessman—he was a strategist, a man who understood fear and leverage, control and chaos. Every smile, every handshake, every projection was backed by a mind capable of seeing the patterns in human behavior like a grand chessboard.

Lucas turned from the window, moving to a side cabinet where a discreet drawer held a folder of data files—contacts, street reports, and discreet notes on people who thought themselves untouchable. Investors never needed to know, and his business partners never would. Yet everything they saw today—the graphs, the promises, the assured voice—was built on the intelligence and precision honed in darker alleys and shadowed deals.

For Lucas Vale, every interaction, every meeting, every gesture was a rehearsal for the dance he performed nightly. The city below was alive with movement, unaware of the games being played above their heads. To them, he was a successful entrepreneur, a young man with the charisma to turn potential into reality. But Red Rose—the shadow behind the suit—already had contingencies for anyone who dared disrupt his empire.

Lucas returned to his chair, tapping lightly at the tablet again, this time reviewing the schedules of his investors and key contacts. A subtle smirk appeared, fleeting, almost imperceptible. Tonight, the real work would begin. Patterns, schedules, weaknesses—all waiting to be exploited. He rose once more, straightening his posture and smoothing the front of his tuxedo. To anyone walking past the glass walls, he was Lucas Vale, the prodigy entrepreneur, and nothing more. But in the quiet of the boardroom, alone with his own thoughts, Red Rose smiled. The city didn’t know it yet, but the game was already underway.