The old man
293Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfAgMlDWuVy
293Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrf0W5ulspl
The mansion perched on the hill commanded an imposing view over the landscape. Its weathered stone walls, crowned with a slate roof, stood as a testament to a bygone era of opulence and power. The sprawling gardens, now drenched by relentless rain, seemed almost like a secret haven amidst the tumult of the outside world.
293Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoW89WouVS7
293Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyXQ2vCX3od
Inside, the grand office of the elderly gentleman exuded a timeless elegance. The room was dominated by an expansive wooden desk, meticulously organized with an array of antique instruments and papers. A plush, intricately woven carpet covered the floor, muffling footsteps and adding to the room's serene ambiance. The tall windows, draped with rich, floor-length curtains, framed a view of the storm outside, while classical music playing softly in the background provided a calming contrast to the brewing tension.
293Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡabH4ylhOfh
293Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡje6toz57qY
The elderly gentleman himself was a figure of commanding presence. His short, broad-shouldered frame hinted at a strength that belied his years. His gray hair, neatly slicked to the side, and round glasses gave him an air of intellectual authority. Despite his apparent frailty, suggested by the cane he leaned on, there was a palpable sense of determination in his movements.
293Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxo8ZLsNd8p
293Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2IkUNXAqne
As he settled into the oversized leather chair behind his desk, the air was filled with the faint crackle of a vintage radio and the rhythmic sound of knitting from the hearth at the back of the room. The desk, cluttered yet organized, held a selection of aged books, ornate pens, and a polished brass lamp that cast a warm, golden glow over the room.
293Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKXUXM9y5bd
293Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTTr22qffSM
The gentleman's gaze was fixed on the storm outside when the shrill ring of the vintage gold telephone shattered the silence. The abrupt sound seemed almost jarring in the otherwise serene environment. With a practiced hand, he picked up the receiver, the cigarette dangling from his lips emitting a thin wisp of smoke.
293Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ97ngw3DfL4
293Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsPaM0N8wGn
"Yes?" His voice, though measured and calm, carried an undertone of authority that commanded immediate attention.
293Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH2k3QAmYbB
293Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIepTwiIU17
On the other end of the line, a dark, gravelly voice spoke with a tone of grim urgency. "Good morning, Sir. I regret to inform you that Mr. Kristiansen has located number seven, Mr. Fischer. Mr. Sha has deemed it necessary to take action to remove Mr. Fischer. During the interrogation, Kristiansen questioned him extensively. I'm not sure how much information he divulged. It is suspected that Kristiansen may have allied with a German operative, Bree Schneider."
293Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyT5A9HspjH
293Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfJCEOmvbVz
The gentleman's expression remained stoic as he took a long drag from his cigarette, the smoke curling upward in delicate spirals. He leaned back in his chair, his fingers tapping rhythmically on the armrest as he considered the report.
293Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyULZ04adQd
293Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAJkTmNuDAM
"Unfortunately, Mr. Fischer met his end," he finally said, his voice carrying a note of resigned finality. "It was a necessary course of action. We cannot afford to have anyone divulging the secrets of our organization; the stakes are far too high."
293Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVgUiRMOehJ
293Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwAAEechcS9
The dark voice continued, tinged with frustration, "I'm sorry, but I have no information on what Kristiansen might know. He has managed to evade capture on multiple occasions, and I currently have no knowledge of his whereabouts."
293Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRFeTSQGh90
293Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl1gOH2IFF7
The gentleman, his mind already moving to the next phase of strategy, poured a generous amount of bourbon into a crystal glass, the rich amber liquid catching the light from the desk lamp. He savored the aroma, his thoughts clearly weighing heavily on him, before taking a deliberate sip.
293Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡONMJsl2v9u
293Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAV7vVHFjgL
"With Kristiansen, we must acknowledge his exceptional abilities," he mused aloud. "He was responsible for the death of our previous employee, number three. It's remarkable he survived considering his injuries." His gaze grew more intense, his eyes narrowing as he contemplated the complexities of the situation.
293Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUN7bd1itOD
293Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnSlrHNVAa9
"I understand, Sir. I will instruct Mr. Sha to locate Kristiansen. His recent actions have attracted significant attention, but unfortunately, we currently lack any leverage to use against him," the dark voice responded.
293Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2zfTL5YTNk
293Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOWvBlWvGgq
The gentleman's eyes grew steely as he spoke again, his voice a low, menacing growl. "I want to emphasize the seriousness of the current situation. If you disappoint me once more, there will be serious repercussions. While I am open to granting you another opportunity, please consider the potential outcomes. Disappoint me again, and I will replace you, number two."
293Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf4EbEiE19s
293Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ43oWIbtAzb
The dark voice responded with a solemn vow, "I will not fail; trust me, Sir."
293Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmcxLc1SEV3
293Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQjnlDmISom
After concluding the call, the elderly gentleman took another contemplative sip of his bourbon, the warmth of the liquor contrasting with the cold resolve that settled over him. He stubbed out his cigarette in the ornate ashtray, the smoke wafting upwards in tendrils as he gazed out the window, lost in thought.
293Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV7RY233BAb
293Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuHjyrPfx67
A sudden knock at the door broke the contemplative silence. The door creaked open to reveal a young girl, her face lighting up with excitement.
293Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0vQCbITZnN
293Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEDdeNZgdQT
"Grampa, Grampa!" she called out, her voice filled with unrestrained joy.
293Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCgVYMP6Srz
293Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYnLj1PkMpL
The elderly gentleman's stern demeanor softened as he looked at the child. He leaned forward and planted a gentle kiss on her cheek, his face breaking into a rare, affectionate smile. "It's wonderful to see you, my little princess. You're growing up so fast, just like your mother."
293Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY9a6eI5x1L
293Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXahDrAegkB
As the mother entered the room with a warm, graceful smile, the elderly gentleman scooped the girl into his arms and moved towards a nearby shelf. The girl was soon whisked away by a woman who entered the room, leaving the gentleman and the elegant woman alone.
293Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ61nkq30dX1
293Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ12bmHQe4Qc
Pouring two generous servings of bourbon from a bottle on his desk, the elderly gentleman handed one glass to the woman, Eva, who took a seat on the plush couch. He settled beside her, the weight of their conversation clearly on his mind.
293Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxhhGkVRA53
293Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcn0Y9hybxr
"I hear we've had some problems with Mr. Kristiansen," he said, his tone carrying a mix of reprimand and concern. "I warned you it was foolish to try and take matters into your own hands, Eva."
293Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9g8hK6PKuU
293Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyhSS9mAhpx
Eva's gaze was heavy with guilt as she sipped her drink, her eyes meeting his with a mixture of defiance and regret. "I made a calculated decision to spare Kristiansen's life despite the risks. I believed he could be a valuable asset. He has potential."
293Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkz7VF86U8G
293Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyS0GjiJsA4
The elderly gentleman's piercing gaze remained fixed on her. "You've always had a knack for seeing the big picture, Eva. But Kristiansen is a different challenge. This is your operation; it must succeed. Should Mr. Kristiansen pose a threat again, I trust you will act accordingly."
293Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPbkFulWKE6
293Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7G4MVQjAVG
He leaned back, his features relaxing into a rare grin. "Don't worry, my love. Everything is under control. If Kristiansen dares to come near, he will vanish like all the others before him. Our new data center's cutting-edge software will grant us unprecedented control. Our primary goal now is to hack into the Norwegian black site bunker and retrieve the missing piece of our family's history."
293Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSIXwPKirGU
293Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlKX34fUenT
Eva's eyes sparkled with a mixture of pride and determination. "Uncle, this is our chance to uncover the truth about my father's disappearance. The Norwegian government's secrecy has lasted decades. We must finally expose the truth and hold those responsible accountable."
293Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe1SJTE4KAf
293Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu2MwJVzp2N
The elderly gentleman's expression grew resolute as he settled deeper into his chair. His voice, though calm, carried an undertone of fierce resolve. "The time has come to reveal our power to the world. Tonight, go to the data center and ensure our plan is executed flawlessly. We will uncover the truth, and with it, our rightful place."
293Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQAh6Liq8z1
293Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR5G0602GsN
As Eva rose to leave, the elderly gentleman took a final, contemplative sip from his glass. He leaned back, his gaze drifting.
ns216.73.216.115da2
