The old man
45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq4pxCA7Yyz
45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi8rxAVzgpN
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.
45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVpb8ZCyrw7
45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQhbkQWajqo
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.
45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ371sbyonRv
45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSe5dGY1eMD
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.
45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ8kYUq0BcT
45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3IEXwyVym6
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.
45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQtqc6rV11J
45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡItkKIRAQRt
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.
45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRy3SAixw8W
45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzGFVb2VFdl
"Yes?" His voice, though measured and calm, carried an undertone of authority that commanded immediate attention.
45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHzjS42qoHw
45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu3JoW7kLJA
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."
45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHwEfZnuqav
45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPuDsJSKp89
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.
45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvPCyINM5l1
45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡivsJOfEdTR
"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."
45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpNZfsHWtYQ
45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3fMhmFZR6K
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."
45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGscaDiGiGu
45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC5mBRRt7Sv
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.
45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLjwMdeNBWk
45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVrFRJ9pZJc
"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.
45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMLCvFXz245
45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNv0mMoVoED
"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.
45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtV1i5R2q7f
45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdb88GoKCjW
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."
45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Np8dtnBF4
45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxsz44OSg58
The dark voice responded with a solemn vow, "I will not fail; trust me, Sir."
45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWGCoeEOHNN
45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6zBtR1hHBt
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.
45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ79k7aV5xXS
45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3DNygsQw49
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.
45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfK3Q9DngHU
45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd0iwBWApCG
"Grampa, Grampa!" she called out, her voice filled with unrestrained joy.
45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo04etnDFbu
45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFQGqZphR1O
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."
45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5xwRltxsaF
45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB8A3Up7SQb
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.
45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3mTvYYupNg
45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkY6NoCM18E
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.
45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNjPeed0Tjm
45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiGmGsKi6Vi
"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."
45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5RF5EnY7XT
45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTdwRI1Zyu8
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."
45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5dj0fMO0ec
45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFa5ic0Su5U
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."
45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCSIS70lnvr
45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiahuH8HbTQ
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."
45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPxZrvmRiGN
45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO3w2O736I3
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."
45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡigIsSEBZPM
45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaR2bgj5fD9
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."
45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbDBRRB4rfn
45Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmMDpRyJXpn
As Eva rose to leave, the elderly gentleman took a final, contemplative sip from his glass. He leaned back, his gaze drifting.
ns 15.158.61.6da2
