The desert sun baked the outskirts of Tijuana as Valentina's convoy snaked down the dusty road. Her black SUV glinted gold in the light, like a promise—or a warning. She sat in the backseat, calm but alert, studying the blueprints on her tablet. A nightclub. A warehouse. A front. All owned by a lieutenant named Marquez—one of Xavier's oldest dogs.
"This one's dirty, loud, and sloppy," Mateo muttered from the front seat.
"Perfect," Valentina said. "We make an example of him."
Nightfall – Club Veneno, Tijuana
Bass thumped through the walls of the gaudy club. Neon lights flickered above the crowd, casting shadows over deals being made in corners and back rooms. Marquez sat in his private booth, surrounded by women, smoke, and laughter that had no joy.
Valentina entered alone.
Her dress was black this time. Simple, elegant, lethal. Her hair in a high bun. A small golden vial tucked into her purse.
Marquez looked up, smirking. "You lost, sweetheart?"
Valentina smiled coolly. "Not anymore."
The Offer
They sat. Tension coated the air like perfume.
"I know who you are," Marquez said. "You're that new queen from Mexico City. Think you can just stroll in and take over my turf?"
Valentina placed a stack of papers on the table—ownership contracts for the warehouse and club, recently bought out from under him using shell companies.
"I already did."
His smirk dropped. "You trying to start a war?"
Valentina leaned in. "No, Marquez. I'm ending one. Either you bend the knee and work for me—or you die choking on gold."
He laughed—until his drink turned bitter in his throat. Until he started coughing violently, clawing at his throat.
Valentina whispered in his ear as he collapsed, "I warned you. Golden poison. It doesn't forgive arrogance."
The Fallout
The next morning, the club was silent. Rumors flew through Tijuana like wildfire. The Scarlet Queen had taken her first city. No blood spilled. No war declared. Just one man gone, and an empire flipped.
Mateo stood beside her, watching the operation transition under new leadership.
"You made a statement."
Valentina nodded. "Now we wait for Xavier to blink."
Mexico City – Xavier's Estate
Xavier watched the news, sipping his whiskey.
"Marquez is dead," Sofia reported. "Tijuana's flipped."
Xavier cracked a smile. "She's bold. I'll give her that."
"But stupid?"
"Oh, no. She's dangerous."
He turned to Sofia, voice hardening.
"Put out the word. I want every move she makes tracked. We find her weakness—and we turn it to ash."
DEA Office – Diego's Dilemma
Diego stared at the surveillance photos from Tijuana.
"She took the city in one night," his partner said. "Without firing a bullet."
Diego clenched his jaw. Valentina was rising too fast. Too clean.
But was she the solution to a bigger problem? Or just a more seductive devil?
His phone buzzed—a message from an informant.
"She's targeting Sinaloa next."
Diego muttered to himself, "What are you really after, Valentina?"
Final Scene – Veracruz Estate War Room
Valentina stared at the next golden pin—Sinaloa. The heart of Xavier's old power.
Lucia entered. "He's watching you now."
"I know," Valentina said, placing the pin with precision. "Let him. Queens don't hide."