The old man
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVaxt549HyT
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6FSLNCkYbG
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.
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR6PxSJmCNi
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7jrSmMQIN5
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.
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi8luIP8TKc
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWiia0g7guK
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.
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXni44Zqs8O
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM1ede9jVup
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.
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEeHJ3zYmkT
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe2MXw5P7AN
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.
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRNEuam1WwM
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPReVQKnUdh
"Yes?" His voice, though measured and calm, carried an undertone of authority that commanded immediate attention.
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVelRSVxtmZ
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsGlzciezsZ
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."
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgXWyYcmto8
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBa8uYqaKkq
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.
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpNhsdIUCYZ
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIUurVS7tgL
"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."
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvK4kTbmUty
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyLpa432rUK
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."
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkO7TZw4dEC
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmZtcY9YsC0
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.
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEz666Web7l
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNQQy0ud0j6
"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.
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuGdMNXX3Rn
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4zRhZwXxy0
"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.
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVCFIfgViXb
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgSFCWQ1zit
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."
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF4JEsJ3bGS
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhSNW3jkWQt
The dark voice responded with a solemn vow, "I will not fail; trust me, Sir."
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqJBUQypNem
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ82UvcbgAAq
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.
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe6efKfBxE7
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkPcB5MWiHe
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.
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmm4e7hXQxy
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1i6ss66zSa
"Grampa, Grampa!" she called out, her voice filled with unrestrained joy.
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe39xg7waij
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfk980FAJg4
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."
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9maJeBAZmJ
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmR7Q19y6Qu
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.
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYlmIZpyS7t
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT2BAiUDYCn
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.
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfYezrygDbP
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJrDnmMmzOT
"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."
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzkCnb7DY7T
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpVhiqp97k7
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."
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkSb3P1THYp
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSKYptKcKHf
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."
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm9Xkdkrtpf
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPldi6W9lbM
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."
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTq26v5aoZC
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBgFk85QvK9
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."
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB84NbSxpPi
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcg0ftKzHtg
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."
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSwkqKJNuV8
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2o3dohIr6e
As Eva rose to leave, the elderly gentleman took a final, contemplative sip from his glass. He leaned back, his gaze drifting.
ns216.73.216.197da2
