The old man
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBZkn6Eofb1
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX4FUiRaJwM
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.
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw6CHTgo2IW
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2463rlKJUw
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.
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ55vMtEr9bK
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQEnSrN9sHi
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.
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvVI9yP1RSS
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtFunaU4GAm
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.
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNE0z2Prvm4
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyF11bLaxQP
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.
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ20CAeQSFb
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs04kZVU38Z
"Yes?" His voice, though measured and calm, carried an undertone of authority that commanded immediate attention.
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeT8x5DQd7A
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPO39j8zBY5
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."
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡthlcbaXs3X
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMhGNvkTP8Z
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.
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtalUaZbTey
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQtoGwlQb4y
"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."
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVB6r5v3wHl
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsyD4D5eI8T
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."
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFhuNbcD57K
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCUo4Z2jOzr
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.
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5uK7seiNlB
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfEAPpINHWD
"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.
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkbNu0On944
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnf6k1LjrqA
"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.
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoVKFBz1SUB
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0G9dhrM5rg
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."
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaF8fEFcv2f
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoCU3pUXJ09
The dark voice responded with a solemn vow, "I will not fail; trust me, Sir."
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCQd1Y99za2
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIa5Qzv2hKM
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.
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpvJRon1n3q
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFNUFeJkBOD
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.
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZefBDRO8bW
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbEDQ6EtYB3
"Grampa, Grampa!" she called out, her voice filled with unrestrained joy.
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJoehD5rPip
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbpLC7Otxi2
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."
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzN4K16ZJyQ
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCmv1hxb9S8
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.
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIVMNRyiyMs
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2n2uT13Uhr
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.
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVbAt8BaJVu
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVtVM5ULj0b
"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."
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3PBJ4D7tUg
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhBXUH7YZ7D
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."
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYqhnVnBk81
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUAM8OXUKB8
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."
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMJ9Wu2sgAI
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgMjqqsWwnz
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."
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQU6xrOJUcB
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Qv6DeTvk6
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."
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ZO2fYT5N2
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXoTc8Rfu4r
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."
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtKE4besyEN
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPwwokcB8kv
As Eva rose to leave, the elderly gentleman took a final, contemplative sip from his glass. He leaned back, his gaze drifting.
ns52.15.207.126da2
