The Genius System

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The silence inside the car was almost suffocating.

Jason felt a slight shiver run down his spine as he gently closed the door behind him.

He had just stepped into the vehicle of Macro's most enigmatic and unpredictable man.

Facing him, Lassen sat with utter nonchalance, one arm resting on the armrest, the other idly twirling a pen between his fingers.

His piercing gaze studied Jason with a calm curiosity, as if he was already reading him before a single word had been spoken.

Adrian, meanwhile, silently returned to his position at the front, but Jason knew he was monitoring every move.

On the other side, the hacker watched him with amusement, as if she were enjoying an unexpected show.

Lassen tapped his armrest thoughtfully before breaking the silence.

"Jason Carter. Former CIA negotiator. Twelve years of service. Assigned to major conflict zones in Afghanistan, Iraq, and Syria. A crisis mediation expert, specializing in de-escalating explosive situations… And yet, today, I'm the one who ended up in your sights."

Jason froze. His instincts told him to show nothing, but a part of him was on high alert.

He knew Lassen had resources, but seeing him lay out his personal file with such precision was another matter entirely.

Lassen smirked as he watched Jason remain silent.

"Come on, Jason, don't be so tense. What did you expect coming here? That I'd mistake you for a lost tourist?"

Jason took a deep breath. He needed to regain control of the situation.

"I was expecting something more… formal. Not a surprise invitation into your car."

"Ah, but that's where you're wrong," Lassen replied with amusement. "With me, there's no protocol. Only efficiency."

He paused, studying Jason thoughtfully, then added in a more serious tone

"Tell me, Jason… you, who have negotiated with all kinds of people in desperate situations… What do the United States really think of me?"

Jason knew this question was coming. He had prepared for it, but hearing Lassen ask it so directly made the situation feel far more real.

He remained calm and chose his words carefully.

"They respect you. You fascinate them as much as you worry them. You're unpredictable, and that's what unsettles them the most. Washington doesn't like unknown variables."

Lassen nodded slowly, as if he had expected that answer.

"And so, their plan?"

Jason hesitated for a fraction of a second. He could lie, but something told him Lassen would see right through it.

"They want you on their side. You're too important a piece on the board to be left unchecked. But if they ever decide you're a threat…"

He left the sentence hanging.

Lassen finished it for him, his smile widening slightly.

"…They'll make me disappear."

A heavy silence fell.

The tension inside the car was at its peak. Jason watched the man in front of him, trying to read his intentions. He expected a reaction, maybe even a flash of irritation or anger.

But Lassen merely chuckled softly.

"Ah… The United States. Always true to themselves."

He stretched slightly, as if this revelation didn't faze him at all, then turned his amused gaze back to Jason.

"Tell me, Jason. You, who have spent your career negotiating… What would you do in my place?"

Jason clenched his jaw. Lassen was turning the situation against him with effortless ease.

He had a bad feeling about this.

Jason felt Lassen's piercing gaze settle on him, waiting for his response. He knew that even the slightest hesitation, the smallest misstep in his words, could be exploited by the man in front of him.

He had negotiated with warlords, dictators, and high-level criminals… but never with someone like him.

Taking a deep breath, he answered in a measured tone

"If I were in your position, I'd take the time to evaluate my options. Play the mystery card a little longer. Make sure everyone doubts, hesitates, and remains uncertain. As long as you're an enigma, you're untouchable."

Lassen nodded, amused.

"A smart answer. You mean… like I'm already doing?"

Jason shrugged slightly.

"Let's just say I'm validating your strategy. But everyone knows a chess game can't last forever. At some point, you have to move an important piece. Otherwise, you risk being forced into playing a game you didn't choose."

Lassen watched Jason closely, a flicker of interest in his eyes.

"And in your opinion, what should my next move be?"

Jason felt the conversation was taking a dangerous turn.

He was about to give strategic advice to a man his own country considered an uncontrollable variable.

He weighed his words carefully before answering

"You need to show Washington that you're not a direct threat, but an opportunity. If you let them believe you're about to align with a rival power, like China or Russia, they might panic and treat you as an enemy. But if you give them just enough hope that a partnership is possible, they'll hesitate to act against you."

A silence settled in the car. Adrian, who had been silent until now, exchanged a brief glance with Lassen through the rearview mirror.

Then, Lassen burst into laughter.

"Jason, Jason, Jason… Are you seriously trying to give me advice on how to manipulate a superpower? Do you really think I haven't already considered all of this?"

Jason remained expressionless, but internally, he felt a slight unease.

Monsieur X was even more unpredictable than he had imagined.

Then, suddenly, Lassen tilted his head slightly, his gaze sharpening as he locked eyes with Jason.

"Tell me, Jason. Why are you really here?"

Jason frowned.

"I told you. Washington wants to open a dialogue with you."

Lassen shook his head slowly.

"No, that's the official version. I want the real reason. Why YOU? Why would a seasoned negotiator like you, someone used to armed conflicts and hostage crises, be sent here instead of a simple diplomat?"

Jason held his breath for a fraction of a second.

Lassen smiled.

"You see, Jason… I can play your game too."

A chill ran down Jason's spine.

Lassen knew.

Maybe not everything. Maybe not yet.

But it was already too late to turn back.