After a few days, the Vito mission was coming to an end.

    Alex entered the studio, his movements as precise and professional as ever. Lassen, as usual, was slouched in his armchair, a book in hand. He didn''t even glance up as Alex approached the table.

    "Master" Alex began, placing the phone in front of him. "The $100,000 payment for the report has been received. The additional $250,000 for the corrections will follow once they validate everything."

    Lassen lazily turned a page of his book, nodding absentmindedly. "Good. Anything else?"

    "They are satisfied with the work so far," Alex continued. "But they are also intrigued. I think they''re considering future collaborations with SpectraSys."

    "Of course," Lassen murmured, a faint smile playing on his lips. "People love a good mystery. Let them wonder."

    Alex hesitated briefly. "There''s something else. One of their technicians has started digging into SpectraSys and my background. So far, all attempts have failed, thanks to the protections put in place by the system."

    Lassen smirked, finally lifting his eyes from his book. "Let them dig. They''ll find nothing but shadows."

    [Oh, such confidence coming from someone who didn''t lift a finger to set up those protections] the system interjected, its tone heavy with sarcasm.

    "One of our engineers has tried to trace their origins" the Operations Manager said cautiously. "So far, it''s like trying to grab smoke. Their systems are airtight."

    "Keep trying" the CEO ordered. "If they''re this good, I want them working for us—or at least under our control."

    ---

    Back at the studio, Lassen stretched, closing his book with a satisfied sigh. He glanced at Alex, who was silently reviewing updates on his laptop.

    "System" Lassen said abruptly, his tone casual. "How much money do I have now?"

    [Including the payment from Vito, you currently have $100,000 in liquid assets, with $250,000 pending. And yet, you continue to do absolutely nothing productive with that money.]

    Lassen burst out laughing. "Productive? I''m doing exactly what I want. That''s real success."

    [Ah, yes, my apologies. How could I forget that reading a novel is an underrated form of genius?]

    "And that''s why you''re my favorite system" Lassen replied, a faint smile on his lips, before reopening his book.