The Genius System

Note : Thank you TheLuckyCode for the support

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Night fell over the villa, wrapping the surroundings in a tranquil darkness, disturbed only by the dim light filtering through the windows. Elias and his team had left the lab after a long day of tests, leaving Lassen to enjoy a rare moment of peace, lounging in his chair with a book in hand.

Adrian, stationed near the entrance, monitored the security cameras integrated into the system. Everything was calm—just as it had been for weeks. Yet, an imperceptible tension lingered in the air, a sense of unease that even Lassen seemed to notice despite his apparent indifference.

Adrian glanced at the screen. A movement on the outer perimeter caught his eye. A dark figure had appeared at the edge of the property.

"Alex, come here," Adrian signaled to Alex, who entered the room.

"It's probably just someone passing by," Alex murmured, though he didn't believe it himself. "I'll check it out."

Adrian grabbed his weapon, silently slipping toward the back door to circle the villa. Alex moved toward the main entrance.

In the main room, Lassen turned another page in his novel, unconcerned by his assistants' sudden tension. He trusted their vigilance, even if he often thought their precautions were excessive.

But the quiet was shattered by a muffled sound from outside. A gunshot.

Adrian burst into the room. "Lassen! Get down!" he shouted.

Lassen flinched, dropping his book as a masked figure appeared at the door. The intruder, dressed in black, aimed a gun in their direction.

Adrian reacted instantly, firing a warning shot that forced the attacker to retreat behind a pillar. But before Adrian could advance, the intruder fired back.

Everything happened in a split second.

Lassen, who had instinctively stood up, felt a sharp pain in his right shoulder. The impact sent him reeling, and he collapsed onto the couch, his hand clutching the wound. The book he'd been holding moments earlier fell to the floor, open to a page he might never finish.

Adrian roared in fury, firing multiple shots at the attacker while rushing to Lassen's side.

"Lassen! Stay with me!" Adrian shouted, trying to keep him upright.

Despite the pain, Lassen managed a faint smile.

"Adrian… you do realize you interrupted me… right at the best part of the book?"

Adrian growled, pressing down on the wound. "Shut up and stay awake!"

The sound of footsteps retreating signaled that the attacker was fleeing. Alex burst into the room, gun raised.

"He's gone!" Alex shouted. "How's Lassen?"

Adrian didn't look up. "Call an ambulance. Now!"

For a brief moment, the scene froze. Blood seeped between Lassen's fingers, staining his shirt. And in that suspended moment, the echo of the gunshot lingered in everyone's minds.

The villa's peace had been shattered. For the first time, Lassen was vulnerable.