The old man
271Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgaZMef3BNr
271Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv8FPnJ5SFN
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.
271Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqv3jNaEm1x
271Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzS0SOx3agk
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.
271Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEiO09idQw9
271Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUvy6p7y0iS
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.
271Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWhKFlt4cDe
271Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnyjcp1SOr2
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.
271Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgqgJfXx28H
271Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGgU16ux5ft
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.
271Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ45ySUZm9i1
271Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ64QaXqeOb6
"Yes?" His voice, though measured and calm, carried an undertone of authority that commanded immediate attention.
271Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLlqoKWt5WB
271Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡytoV9XLp15
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."
271Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWgx8p4WE4p
271Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJLzLnTE9nw
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.
271Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXN6kIZhik1
271Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbYNsPVgeOg
"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."
271Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSen8Vd8Kfy
271Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGjno16oBqN
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."
271Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSTKGaOVo5n
271Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRqzRw500NK
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.
271Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6rI8FhLQya
271Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtQPPsJHaxV
"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.
271Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVBOoyb6P2s
271Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOeqNG7lhfE
"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.
271Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOWs8GY4pY3
271Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyuCa3jiTEI
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."
271Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMbBHoKcUWa
271Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOHtbdzNF8Z
The dark voice responded with a solemn vow, "I will not fail; trust me, Sir."
271Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG25l4SB3rP
271Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzlFt20GG6T
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.
271Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡucYdSQJuDc
271Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Y3d9kbSsY
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.
271Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwZPDsaG4Ar
271Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEigGA1KgyS
"Grampa, Grampa!" she called out, her voice filled with unrestrained joy.
271Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuuEwIIMzou
271Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPutUc6l4id
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."
271Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPSS5AuXiMj
271Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYAW9SvQ3E9
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.
271Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnc270WSYPK
271Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwnAvImVouD
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.
271Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIWExTPL8wQ
271Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ68EL5z2MTY
"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."
271Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoGczI8h5Fe
271Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIJZusg4o7r
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."
271Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWgcYtRLEQ6
271Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtmDFi2e9ha
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."
271Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpXAvzgIiX1
271Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeGzCMBORFQ
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."
271Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCRrPimJzEQ
271Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8I6DTH2D0r
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."
271Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6gEvN2FOnl
271Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKMzdNqpt3c
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."
271Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfpCC12tDa4
271Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMUuYu5OokQ
As Eva rose to leave, the elderly gentleman took a final, contemplative sip from his glass. He leaned back, his gaze drifting.
ns216.73.217.1da2
然後按「加至主畫面」