The most intelligent person in the room

Chapter 1
the perfect robbery

Chapter Description: The day of the robbery has finally arrived and William prepares to execute his plan with mastery.

William Kruerk wasn't a man who liked to follow the rules. Since childhood, he had developed a peculiar ability to circumvent the rules and get his way, a quality that, over time, had become second nature. Now, as a researcher at one of the world's most prestigious pharmaceutical laboratories, that same skill had led him to achieve considerable success, although not always through the most ethical means.

The BioGen Innovations lab was an imposing place, a glass and steel building that stood like a beacon of modernity in the middle of the city. Within its walls, some of the world's most brilliant scientists worked on projects that promised to revolutionize medicine and biotechnology. William Kruerk was one of them, though his brilliance was tinged with an arrogance that made him unpopular with his colleagues. To him, rules were mere suggestions, and safety protocols were obstacles to be overcome.

William had come to BioGen Innovations thanks to his sharp mind and his ability to solve problems others considered impossible. However, his ambition had led him to take shortcuts that many considered unethical. For William, the ends justified the means, and if that meant skipping a few steps in the research process, so be it. His work in the lab focused on developing anti-aging treatments, a field that promised not only medical breakthroughs but also astronomical profits.

BioGen's most secret and promising project was the Youth Serum, an experimental prototype that promised to reverse aging at the cellular level. The serum was so revolutionary that it didn't even have an official name; internal reports referred to it simply as "Project Phoenix." William had been involved in the early stages of development but had been relegated to a supporting role when the project was passed on to a more elite team. That didn't sit well with him.

For weeks, William had been closely observing his colleagues, studying their routines, and looking for an opportunity to access the serum. He knew the prototype was stored in the sample vault, a restricted area only a select few had access to. But William wasn't one to give up easily. He had spent entire nights reviewing security protocols, looking for a breach, a weakness he could exploit.

William wasn't a man who left things to chance. Every move he made was carefully calculated, every step planned with surgical precision. He knew that stealing the youth serum wouldn't be easy, but it wasn't impossible either. All he needed was patience, cunning, and a little luck. And that afternoon, luck was on his side.

The sample storage room was one of the most secure areas in the lab, protected by state-of-the-art security systems. The doors were only opened with high-security access cards, and surveillance cameras covered every corner. But William had spent weeks studying the security guards' patterns and his colleagues' schedules. He knew that during important meetings, like the one taking place at that moment, surveillance in the storage room was somewhat relaxed. The guards tended to concentrate on the busiest areas, leaving the warehouse virtually unattended.

William had prepared everything meticulously. He carried an access card he had temporarily "borrowed" from an absent-minded colleague. It wasn't the first time he'd done something like this, and it probably wouldn't be the last. With the card in hand, he slipped through the lab's corridors, avoiding security cameras with the skill of a cat. Every step was calculated, every movement deliberate.

When he arrived at the warehouse, he paused for a moment to make sure no one was watching him. The hallway was deserted, and the only sound was the hum of the fluorescent lights. With a quick motion, he swiped his card through the reader and waited for the green light to flash. The door opened with a soft click, and William entered the warehouse.

The interior was cold and sterile, with shelves lined with vials and test tubes labeled with codes only a select few could decipher. William knew exactly what he was looking for. He'd been reviewing internal reports for weeks, and he knew the prototype youth serum was locked in a special safe in the northwest corner of the warehouse.

With silent steps, he approached the safe. It was an imposing structure, with a digital screen requiring an access code. But William wasn't worried. He had spent hours studying the security chief's habits, and he knew the code was his daughter's birthday. With a quick motion, he entered the number, and the safe door opened with a soft click.

Inside, on a special shelf, were the bottles he'd been searching for. The youth serum shone golden, as if it contained the very essence of time. William carefully took the two bottles from the shelf, feeling the coolness of the glass in his hands. "This will make me a millionaire," he thought to himself, hiding them in his briefcase with a satisfied smile.

But William didn't stop there. He knew he couldn't leave any traces. With quick, precise movements, he closed the safe and erased any evidence of his presence. Then, he left the warehouse as discreetly as he had entered, making sure the door closed behind him quietly.

The return to his office was equally careful. He avoided the security cameras and guards, moving like a shadow through the laboratory corridors. When he finally reached his office, he sat down in his chair and breathed a sigh of relief. He had done it. He had the serum.

He wasn't a man to leave loose ends, so he proceeded with his latest cover-up. He turned on his computer, bypassed a few firewalls, and logged in with the lab director's administrative username (an account he'd obtained after his boss's oversight during a drink invitation from William himself). He started a virus he'd created that had been waiting for a few weeks inside the company's servers to erase any trace of the serum research, along with the security camera recordings from the entire day. A small life insurance policy he'd prepared in advance, and by the time the company detected it, he'd be far from here.

One less thing to worry about. Not to mention that the serum wasn't alone. Next to the golden bottle containing the rejuvenating liquid, there was another, smaller, pale blue bottle containing the antidote. William wasn't sure if he'd need it, but he was sure he could make even more money by selling both bottles at once.

With both vials hidden in his briefcase, William sat in his office and took a deep breath. He knew the hardest part was over, but now he had to get out of the lab without anyone noticing he was carrying two of BioGen Innovations' most valuable and secret items. I couldn't afford to make any mistakes.

He looked at the clock on the wall. It was 4:30 p.m., and most of the employees were in the conference room discussing the latest advances in biotechnology. William knew he had to act quickly. He stood up from his chair, straightened his tie, and gripped his briefcase firmly. Then, he walked out of his office with a determined stride, as if he had an important meeting to attend.

The hallway was almost empty, but William couldn't let his guard down. Even though he knew his virus was spreading right now, he still had to act normal in front of the cameras in the busiest areas, which were undoubtedly being monitored in real time by security guards. With his head held high and a confident expression, he walked toward the elevator, greeting a couple of colleagues passing by with a casual smile.

"Did you manage to finish the chemical solvent reports before your vacation, William?" asked one of them, a young researcher named Daniel.

William nodded with a forced smile. "Yeah, sure. I just sent them to the supervisor, so you shouldn't have any problems in my absence," hiding his annoyance at the reminder of the menial project he'd been assigned to after being transferred from the Phoenix project by his supervisors.

Daniel smiled. "You're my savior, William! I just hope I finish my part in time so I can have dinner at home and rest. Okay, see you."

William entered the elevator and pressed the button for the ground floor. As the doors closed, he felt a slight relief at making the entire journey alone.

When the elevator reached the ground floor, William stepped out with a firm stride, heading for the main exit. The security guard at the front desk looked at him curiously, but William wasn't fazed. He knew the guard had no reason to suspect him; after all, he was still one of the lab's most respected scientists.

"Good afternoon, Mr. Kruerk," the guard said with a friendly smile. "Are you leaving now?"

William nodded, swiping his own ID card through the sensor on the door. "Yeah, I'm a little tired. Plus, my vacation starts tomorrow, so I want to get off on the right foot and get a good night's sleep when I get home," William joked. "There must be something to working every day of the year without a break, don't you think?" he said, knowing it wasn't entirely a lie. William had purposely accumulated his days off for this occasion. What better way to miss work without raising suspicion than to take the vacation days you'd been avoiding until HR had practically begged you to take them?

The guard nodded, returning an empathetic look. "Well, have a good rest, sir."

William walked out of the building, his heart pounding, but his expression calm. The cool evening air greeted him, and for a moment, he felt a sense of triumph. He had done it. He had the serum and the antidote in his possession.

He walked toward his car, a black sedan parked in the lab's parking lot. He opened the driver's door and sat in, placing his briefcase on the passenger seat. For a moment, he stood still, staring straight ahead, still unable to believe that everything would turn out so well. Although, it was a plan created and executed by himself, it would obviously go perfectly.

With his self-esteem and ego once again boosted by his accomplishments today, he started the engine and pulled out of the parking lot, heading home. He knew what he had just done would change his life forever, and no one had the slightest idea.

The black sedan's engine purred softly as it wound through the city streets, pulling away from the imposing BioGen Innovations building. The traffic was moving slowly, and William began mentally reviewing what he would do next. A good vacation was definitely what he needed right now. He couldn't risk being at the lab when they started asking awkward questions. Besides, he needed time off to find a buyer. The youth serum wasn't something that could be sold on the open market; it required a discreet buyer, someone with resources and connections, but eccentric or greedy enough not to ask questions. William already had some ideas. He knew of a few businessmen and tycoons who would pay a fortune for the chance to regain their youth.

"With the money I get, I'll be able to retire," William thought, imagining a life of luxury and comfort. "No more labs, no more bosses, no more stupid rules. I'll be able to live the way I've always wanted."

The thought filled him with a sense of satisfaction. He imagined himself in a seaside mansion, with his own yacht and an army of servants at his disposal. He wouldn't have to worry about anything other than enjoying life. And best of all, no one could stop him. He would be the master of his destiny.

But, of course, it wouldn't all be that simple. William knew he would have to be careful. He couldn't simply announce that he had the serum; he would have to move the pieces quietly, making sure no one connected him to the theft. Perhaps he could contact a middleman, someone who could do the dirty work for him. Or perhaps, if he was shrewd enough, he could sell the serum directly to a buyer and save himself the middleman's salary. He was sure that if he planned it right, he could do it without leaving a trace, or at least he was confident he would find a way.

As he thought about all the possibilities, William couldn't help but smile. It was amazing how two jars could change everything. Yet, in the back of his mind, a small warning voice made him hesitate. What if something went wrong? What if someone discovered what he'd done? William shook his head, as if he could push those thoughts away. “I couldn't afford to hesitate now. I'd come too far to turn back.”

"The next few weeks will be crucial," he muttered to himself as he turned the wheel to take the exit that would take him home. After all, he wouldn't be the only one enjoying that life. William thought of his wife, Sara, and his daughter, Tina. Sara, although sometimes too practical and loving for his liking, deserved better than the monotonous life they led. With the money he had saved from other small business ventures, plus the money from the serum, they could move to a bigger house, perhaps even to another country. Sara could stop worrying about the house and enjoy the life she had always deserved.

And then there was Tina. His daughter, a 10-year-old who, although sometimes stubborn or lazy in his eyes, was a lovely girl who admired him. William knew that Tina saw him as a strict father, but also as someone to admire, at least from his perspective. With the money from the serum, he could give her everything she wanted: the best education, trips, toys, anything. Maybe he could even buy her to stop being so rebellious. After all, what child wouldn't obey a millionaire father?

"They'll benefit too," William thought, feeling a strange sense of pride. "Sara will be able to stop worrying about money, and Tina will have everything she's ever wanted. I'll be the hero of the family."

He parked his black sedan in the garage and carefully picked up the briefcase, making sure the vials of serum and antidote wouldn't break. Although he was eager to share his "incredible news" with his family, he knew he had to be discreet. He couldn't reveal too much, at least not yet. With a satisfied smile, he closed the car door and headed toward the house.

As he opened the door, he was greeted by the aroma of home-cooked food, mingled with the sound of the television in the living room. Sara was in the kitchen, moving with her usual efficiency, while Tina sat on the sofa, engrossed in a book. William couldn't help but feel a wave of calm at finally being in his own home with his family.

"Hello, everyone!" William announced excitedly, hanging his coat on the coat rack. "I have some amazing news."

Sara looked up from the pot she was stirring and smiled at him. "Amazing news? That sounds intriguing. What happened?"

William walked into the kitchen and gave Sara a quick kiss on the cheek. "I can't tell you yet, but trust me, this will change everything for us."

Sara looked at him curiously, but didn't press the issue. She knew William could be reserved when it came to his work. "Well, I hope that good news can wait. For now, could you call Tina for dinner? Lunch is almost ready."

William nodded and headed into the living room, where Tina was still reading her book, seemingly ignoring his arrival. "Tina, time for dinner," he said in a tone that attempted to be friendly, yet still had a hint of authority.

Tina looked up at him with an almost annoyed expression, as if her father's presence disturbed her more than pleased her. Still, William's mood was so good that he simply let himself watch the girl get up to take her place at the table while he went up the stairs, unlocking his office with the only key that existed capable of opening it, which always rested on his personal keychain, a keychain that never seemed to be more than a couple of centimeters away at all times.

Once the vials were safely resting in a chemical refrigerator hidden in the back of a bookcase, William could relax; this refrigerator would have the sole purpose of preserving the serum indefinitely until it was sold. Once he was sure that the digital lock had been activated, he moved the cabinet and bookcase back to its original position and decided to go downstairs to enjoy his family dinner, but not before locking his office, a ritual he repeated every time he left and that by now it was almost impossible for him not to do automatically.

Dinner was proceeding normally, the sound of cutlery clinking against plates and the murmur of conversation filling the dining room. William continued his enigmatic demeanor, enjoying the curiosity he had generated in his family with his "incredible news." However, the tranquility of the evening was interrupted when Sara, in a casual but firm tone, decided to address a topic she had been putting off.

"By the way, Tina," Sara began, pouring herself some more mashed potatoes, "the school called today. They said you cheated on the math test."

William put his fork down on his plate and looked up at his daughter with a serious expression. He wasn't the kind of man who would tolerate cheaters in his house, which was ironic coming from someone who had just stolen from a multi-million-dollar company.

"Cheating on an exam?" he asked, his tone a mixture of disappointment and anger. "Tina, you know that's not acceptable."

Tina, who had been toying with her food up until that point, looked up with a look somewhere between angry and annoyed. "I didn't cheat," she said firmly, though her voice trembled slightly. "Professor Martinez is lying. She made up that excuse to punish me because I corrected her in class."

William raised an eyebrow, maintaining his authoritative stance but not raising his voice. "You corrected your teacher? And why would you do that?"

Tina crossed her arms, clearly frustrated. "Because she was wrong. In today's lesson, she said the square root of 144 was 13. And that's wrong! It's 12. I just told her she'd made a mistake, and she got angry. After the lesson, she gave me a pop quiz. When I handed it in, she accused me of copying the answers from the kid sitting next to me. But it's not true!"

William looked at Sara, seeking confirmation, but his wife just shrugged. "The school said Professor Martinez has a different story. She said Tina is often disrespectful in her class, and there's no way a teacher with that much experience at the school would lie just to punish a student."

William looked at Tina again, this time with a mixture of curiosity and skepticism. "And how did you know the square root of 144 is 12?"

Tina looked him straight in the eye, without hesitation. "Because I read it in a math book I got from the library. It's not that hard, Dad. You just have to pay attention."

William couldn't help but feel a slight pang of pride, though he didn't show it. However, his trust in Professor Martinez's authority was stronger than his faith in his daughter's words. To him, it was more likely that Tina was lying to avoid punishment than it was to believe a 10-year-old could correct a math teacher.

"Even if you were right, you can't correct a teacher like that. There are ways to do things, and respect is important. We raised you better than that, miss."

Tina looked down, clearly annoyed but unwilling to argue further. "I know, Dad. I never think things through before I act," she said in an angry but silly voice, doing a poor imitation of her father, who had never been shy about pointing out all the mistakes his daughter made with great attention to detail.

William was definitely no stranger to these poor imitations from his daughter, but today's events definitely helped him maintain his composure more than usual "maybe if you were a more mature and responsible person like me you wouldn't have to resort to cheap excuses just to cover up that you copied on an exam of a subject for which you obviously weren't prepared" William said without hesitation having already chosen his truth on the subject and letting out words that although he didn't notice, pierced his daughter as if they were carefully crafted and polished daggers with the intention of touching a sensitive nerve in Tina.

Tina glared at him with a mixture of anger and resentment. “Can’t you just take my side for once? If Miss Martinez knew half as much about this subject as I do, I wouldn’t have to point out every stupid mistake she makes in all our classes.”

"That's no way to respond to your father, miss," William replied, his tone making it clear there was no room for argument. "Perhaps you'll have more time to reflect on your manners with six weeks of grounding, and I want you to apologize to Professor Martinez for your poor manners in her class. Whether you were right or wrong, respect is key."

Tina looked incredulous at her father's words, but before she had a chance to respond and make the situation worse, Sara intervened, serving Tina some more chicken. "Well, in the meantime, make sure you finish your dinner. And don't forget your chores."

The tension at the table was palpable after the argument between William and Tina. Sara, always the voice of reason in the family, decided to intervene to calm things down. With a gentle but firm tone, she addressed her daughter. "Tina, honey, I understand you're upset, but your father only wants the best for you. It's important that you respect your teachers, even if you think they're wrong."

Tina looked down, still frustrated but not wanting to argue further. "I know, Mom. But it's not fair."

Sara smiled fondly at him and stroked his arm. "Life isn't always fair, but what matters is how we handle these situations. Now, finish your dinner, okay?"

Tina nodded, albeit reluctantly, and began eating again. Sara, satisfied that the tension had eased, turned to William. "And you, William, how about you tell us that amazing news you mentioned? It seems you have something important to tell us," Sara said, looking at him curiously as she poured some more water into her glass.

William, who had been watching the scene with a mixture of irritation and annoyance at Tina's change in attitude toward her mother, sat up straight in his chair. Now was his time to shine. "Well," he began, with a proud smile he couldn't hide, "Today I've taken a step that will change our lives forever."

Sara and Tina stared at him, waiting for him to continue. William took a sip of water, enjoying the suspense he'd created, before continuing. "I've got something that will make us millionaires."

Sara raised an eyebrow, intrigued but with a hint of caution in her voice. "What are you talking about, William?"

William lowered his voice, as if afraid someone else might hear, even though they were alone in the house. "I stole BioGen's Phoenix project. It's an experimental prototype that promises to reverse aging. And not only that, I also have the antidote."

Sara gasped, while Tina put her fork down on her plate with a thud, clearly shocked. "Isn't that the project you transferred from a while back?" Sara asked, with a mixture of disbelief and concern. "William, that's very dangerous. Did you at least stop to think about what might happen if you get caught?"

William smiled confidently, as if he'd anticipated her doubts. "No need to worry. I've been very careful. No one knows I have it. And now, I just need to find a buyer willing to pay a fortune for it."

Tina, who had been listening silently, remained quiet, but her eyes shone with a light of curiosity and astuteness. Although she said nothing, she seemed to be processing the information, as if she were already forming a plan in her mind. However, Sara wasn't about to let the subject drop so easily.

"William, this isn't a game," She said, her tone firmer. "Stealing something like this... it's not just illegal, it's immoral. What if someone gets hurt? Or if the formula falls into the wrong hands?"

William leaned forward, trying to calm her. "Sara, I understand your concern, but think carefully. This isn't just for us. It's for our family. How many times have we dreamed of giving Tina a better life? Of making sure she never wants for anything? This is our chance. We'll be rich, we'll be able to get the best schools, the best tutors, and make sure she has the best future possible. Tina can have the life we never could."

Sara stared at him, trying to discern whether he was sincere. "What about the people who worked on that project? The scientists who dedicated years of their lives to creating it? Don't they deserve to benefit from their work too?"

William paused, as if bothered by his wife's concern for the fate of the people who had removed him from the project in the first place. Then, with an impatient gesture, he replied, "Sara, the world isn't fair. If I don't do it, someone else will. At least we'll use it to have a better life. We're not a pharmaceutical company making millions of dollars on drugs at the expense of gambling with the lives of millions of people. Have you even considered how many millions they make each year on insulin alone? It's a small loss for them, but for us it could mean a whole new life."

Tina, who had been listening silently, couldn't contain herself any longer. "What if you get caught, Dad?" she asked, her voice colder than usual. "What if we get in trouble for this? It's not fair to drag us into your... your adventure."

William looked at her, surprised by her tone. "Tina, this isn't a fling, young lady. It's an opportunity. One that doesn't come around twice. And it's not right to butt into an argument between adults. Besides, I'm not just anyone. I even made sure to erase the security tapes. No one can prove it was me."

Sara sighed, rubbing her temples as if trying to relieve a headache that was just starting. "William, I don't know if this is crazy or genius, but I can't help but feel like you're underestimating the risks. What if something goes wrong? What if someone else knows you have it?"

William took her hand, trying to reassure her. "Trust me, Sara. I've considered every possible variable; we're safe. Soon, we'll be living a life we could only dream of. After all, with the virus I used to erase the project's information, I'm the only man on earth who possesses the miracle serum."

Dinner continued, albeit with a more tense tone. William was euphoric, imagining all the possibilities the youth serum would bring. Sara, though worried, tried to trust that her husband knew what he was doing. And Tina, though still smarting from the punishment and now more distrustful than ever, couldn't help but feel a certain curiosity about her father's achievement and the objects now inside her own home. However, in the back of her mind, one question lingered: “Did he really do it for us, or just for himself?”

Tina could barely focus on her plate. Her father's words echoed in her mind. "I did it for us. For our family." Did he really expect her to believe that? Tina knew her father well enough to know that behind that facade of altruism, there was something else. Something that reeked of selfishness and ambition.

As her parents talked about future plans and how her life would change for the better, Tina pushed the food around on her plate listlessly. Every smile from her father, every word of reassurance he spoke to her mother, became more unbearable. Finally, she couldn't take it anymore.

"I'm done," Tina said, her tone intended to be casual, not bothering to ask permission to leave the table as she'd been taught. "I'll get back to my homework."

Sara nodded with a smile. "It's okay, honey. Don't stay up too late."

William, too absorbed in his own thoughts, barely noticed his daughter's discomfort. "Good night, Princess," he said distractedly, without looking up from his plate.

Tina didn't respond. She climbed the stairs to her room, closing the door. Once inside, she sank down onto her bed, staring at the ceiling with her arms crossed. Indignation simmered inside her, mixed with a sense of betrayal she couldn't ignore.

"I did it for us," She muttered, imitating his father's voice sarcastically. "Sure, as if stealing were a noble thing to do."

She remembered all the times her father had lectured her about the importance of honesty and hard work. "Nothing in life is free, Tina. If you want something, you have to earn it." So what now? Was that all a lie? Was it just a facade to hide his own hypocrisy?

Tina sat up in bed, hugging her legs to her chest. She couldn't believe her father, the same one who had always insisted on doing the right thing, had stolen something so important. And the worst part was that he was trying to justify it as an act of love. "For our family?" Did he really expect her to swallow it whole?

“Hypocrite,” She muttered, clenching her fists. “That’s what you are, Dad.”

At that moment, Tina felt a surge of frustration. Not just at the robbery itself, but at the way her father was trying to manipulate her mother, making her believe it was all for the good of the family. Didn't he realize how dangerous it was? Or did he simply not care?

Tina got out of bed and walked to the window, looking out at the moonlit garden. For a moment, she imagined what her life would be like if everything went wrong. If her father was arrested, if they lost everything they owned... Would her mother be able to get a job? Would she be able to go to college?

"It's not fair," she whispered, feeling tears welling up in her eyes. "It's not fair that we have to pay the price for this."

At that moment, Tina made a decision. She couldn't stay silent. She couldn't allow her father to ruin everything for his own ambition. She might not have known exactly what to do, but one thing was clear: she wasn't going to be an accomplice to his lie.

With a sigh, Tina wiped her tears and sat down at her desk. She opened her laptop and began typing a text document.

William and Sara were left alone in the kitchen. Sara began clearing away the dishes. She was still unsure about the theft, but seeing her husband so confident and relaxed certainly gave her a sense of peace.

“Could you help me wash the dishes?” Sara said, breaking the silence, thinking that a little help from her husband would make the cleaning job faster.

“Sure, you start and I’ll catch up.”

Sara looked at him skeptically, recognizing the typical trick her husband used to get out of doing housework, but before she could say anything else, William's phone vibrated on the table. It was a text message. William glanced at it quickly, and his expression immediately changed. The message was from an unknown number, but the content was alarming.

Message from Unknown:

"William, I'm calling you from a secure number. I need to talk to you. Someone stole the youth serum and erased all the research information from the databases. The police are here. This is serious."

William felt the ground shift beneath his feet. He tried to remain calm, but his hands trembled as he typed a reply.

William's response:

"Daniel, calm down. There's nothing to worry about. It's probably just a misunderstanding. What else do you know?"

Daniel's response was not long in coming, but it was not reassuring.

Message from Daniel:

"It's not a misunderstanding, William. The police are searching everything. I even heard they've set up a perimeter around the city and are searching some workers' homes under the guise of finding a dangerous chemical weapon. They've even taken our office computers in search of which terminal the virus that infected us came from."

William felt a chill run down his spine at this new information. BioGen was definitely making good use of those generous donations they made to the police every year at Christmas, which for William in this case was very bad news. He tried to get more answers, but Daniel's "online" status disappeared, abruptly stopping him from typing. The silence that followed was deafening. William knew that if by some chance they found traces of the virus on his computer or some kind of record, as unlikely as that possibility was, it would only be a matter of time before they linked him to the robbery.

William froze at the thought, staring at his phone screen. Daniel's words echoed in his mind: "The police are here. This is serious." His breathing quickened, and his palms began to sweat. Sara, who had been watching this whole time, worried.

"William, what's wrong?" Sara asked, approaching him with concern. "Who wrote to you? Is it something about work?"

William looked up, trying to maintain his composure, but his pale face and anxious eyes betrayed his true condition. "It's... it's Daniel," he said, his voice trying to sound calm but clearly shaking. "Something's happened at the lab. Apparently someone noticed the serum was stolen and called the police. They're raiding the place right now, looking for evidence that might lead them to a suspect."

Sara gasped, dropping the plate she was holding onto the table. "The police? William, this is serious. What are we going to do?"

William ran a hand over his face, feeling the weight of the situation begin to crush him. "I don't know, Sara. I don't know. Daniel said the police were also raiding some workers' homes. If they find out it was me, they'll arrest me. I could go to jail. And all because... because of one stupid mistake." William said in an attempt to minimize his actions, something he usually did almost as much or more than magnifying his achievements, no matter how small.

Sara looked at him with a mixture of disbelief and concern. "William, why did you do something so dangerous? You know we're not millionaires, but even with our savings, we could live well for a while, at least until Tina gets to college."

William didn't respond immediately. He knew he couldn't deny it, but he didn't want to admit the whole truth either. "It was a moment of weakness, Sara. I thought we could be millionaires, that we could live a better life. But now... now it's all going to waste."

Sara sighed, rubbing her temples as if trying to process what she'd just heard. "William, that was really stupid. You can't just steal something like that and expect there to be no consequences. What are we going to do?"

William stood up from his chair, pacing the kitchen. "Do you think I don't know, woman? Do you think I didn't consider all the possible variables in my plan? What I can't understand is how they discovered it so quickly. They weren't supposed to use the serum for another month, once the results of the human clinical trials were approved!"

At that moment, the sound of footsteps on the stairs interrupted the conversation. Tina appeared in the kitchen doorway, a worried expression on her face. "What's wrong? I heard some screaming... Is everything okay?"

William and Sara looked at each other, unsure of what to say. Finally, Sara spoke. "It's... it's just a work thing, honey. Nothing to worry about."

But Tina wasn't convinced. Her eyes flicked between her parents, sensing the tension in the air. "It doesn't seem like anything. Mom, what's wrong? What's happening?"

William, still shaken, decided to be honest with his daughter, at least in part. "It's... it's complicated, Tina. Something happened at the lab, and the police are investigating. They might... they might think I had something to do with it, even though they're already on their way here as we speak."

Tina raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued. "But you had something to do with it, didn't you?"

William didn't answer directly, but his silence was enough to answer her question. Sara crossed her arms, trying to think of a solution. "So, what are we going to do? Hide? Escape?"

William sighed, feeling the situation spiraling out of control. “I don’t know if we can do it. If everything is as Daniel described, I’m sure the police must have already set up a perimeter. I don’t think I can escape by car, and I don’t know if there’s a safe place to escape to at this point… If I had known this was going to happen, I would have left the city without you.” The words fell into a deathly silence before allowing his family to have any strange thoughts. William reorganized his thoughts, continuing as quickly as possible. “I don’t mean abandoning you. I meant getting out of the city, hiding for a while, and then coming back for you when it’s safer. Besides, I haven’t sold the serum yet, so even if the police aren’t looking for me now, it’ll be harder to find a buyer with them sniffing at the back of my neck.”

Tina looked at her with an expression that was a mixture of curiosity and cunning. “Well, if you can’t escape, maybe you could use some kind of disguise and hide…” The room fell silent again as both parents turned to look at their daughter, her mother with nervous curiosity and her father with an expression that did nothing to hide the fact that he thought Tina was making him waste valuable seconds, even so the girl continued “if you had something that prevented people from being able to recognize you, you could hide in plain sight, that way in case the police found out it was you and came looking for you, they wouldn’t be able to arrest you.”

William frowned, confused. "Tina, this isn't one of your cartoons. We don't know how much time is left before the police come looking for me. It could be days, it could be months. They could even be coming here right now!" William said in frustration, speaking what he felt should be basic common sense. "Where do you think I could find something as perfect as a magical disguise?"

Tina smiled slightly, as if she were explaining something obvious. "You have the youth serum, right? If you used it to turn into a child, no one would recognize you. You could go unnoticed even if the police came to your house, so you could hide until everything calmed down."

William stared at his daughter, processing her words. The idea was far-fetched, but in his panicked state, it was beginning to seem like a viable solution. "Do you think that would work?" Sara asked her husband, her tone revealing her despair at the thought of losing her husband to the law.

William thought about it for a few moments, although it was true that he was desperate, he tried to consider all his options, although desperation combined with the atmosphere that was currently lived in his home were not the best company, especially for a person who was used to being in control at all times and now found himself at the mercy of fate.

"Of course. No one would suspect a child," Tina said with a superior tone, taking control of the conversation for the first time in her life. "You said it yourself, we have no way of knowing if the police are on their way to arrest us right now. You could use the serum and go unnoticed, even in the tiny case that the police recognized you, you would still end up arrested, so what do you have to lose?"

William looked at Sara, searching for an answer from her, not quite sure he was looking for her opinion or approval, but his wife seemed equally unsure. "William, this is crazy. We don't know what side effects the serum might have. It could be dangerous."

But William wasn't listening anymore. His mind was clouded with fear and despair. If it was true that the police were coming right now, at least in the body of a child he'd have a chance. "I have no choice, Sara. If the police find me, they'll arrest me. Besides, it would only be a temporary measure. As soon as everything calms down, I'll take the antidote and return to normal."

Sara wanted to protest, but she knew that, at least for now, she had no other way to keep her husband safe if things got any worse. "Okay," she finally said with a resigned sigh. "But be careful, okay?"

William nodded, and without wasting any more time, headed toward his study, where he had hidden the serum. Entering his study with a determined stride, his hands still trembling slightly, he pushed open the bookcase, revealing the secret location of the serum. He didn't notice that Tina had discreetly followed him, watching her father's every move.

William carefully opened the container, removing the golden vial containing the glittering liquid. Tina leaned closer, watching intently as her father precisely measured the dose before her mother entered the office, positioning herself next to her husband.

"Are you sure this is a good idea, William?" Sara asked, her voice filled with concern, but also resignation. She knew she couldn't stop him.

William nodded, though his expression was tense. "We have no choice, Sara. At least not tonight."

Sara sighed, crossing her arms. "I hope you know what you're doing."

William didn't respond. Instead, he lifted the vial into which he'd poured the previously measured dose to achieve the desired result. After a moment's hesitation, he drank the serum. The liquid had a sweet, almost metallic taste, and at first, he felt nothing. But then, a wave of warmth ran through his body, followed by a feeling of lightness that made him stagger.

"William, are you okay?" Sara asked, approaching him with concern.

William tried to respond, but the words wouldn't come out. He felt dizzy, as if the world was spinning around him. "I think... I think I need to sit down," he murmured, his voice sounding weaker than usual.

Sara took his arm, guiding him to a chair. "William, what's wrong? Is it the serum?"

William nodded slowly, feeling tiredness creeping over him. "Yes... it's the serum. I feel... weird."

Tina, who had been silently watching, leaned closer. "Dad, are you okay?" she asked, her voice sounding genuinely concerned, though her eyes seemed to convey something else that William couldn't identify in his stunned state.

William tried to smile, but his expression was more one of discomfort. "Yes, Tina. I just need to... rest a little."

Sara looked at him worriedly before deciding to help her husband. "Come on, William. I'll take you to bed. You need to rest."

William didn't protest. He let Sara guide him, taking his arm and helping him up the stairs to his room.

Once William was in bed, Sara sat beside him, stroking his hair. "Rest, William. Everything will be okay."

William nodded weakly, feeling sleep creeping over him. "Yes... everything will be okay, I promise..."

When Sara left William's room, she saw Tina coming out of the study. With a heavy sigh, he decided that was a problem for another time.

Sara entropy William's office, closing the container with her husband's container making sure that the vial of golden liquid and the syringe were still inside after storing them in the refrigerator she pushed the bookcase with difficulty into position before leaving knowing that if the serum didn't kill her husband, William would be very angry tomorrow if he found his study open.

With the keys she'd previously taken from William's pants, she locked the study door, ensuring no one else could enter. Then, she returned to William's room, where her husband had fallen fast asleep. She sat beside him, stroking his hair and murmuring comforting words. "Rest, William... we'll get through this together..." Sara got up, determined to put her husband's pajamas on before getting ready herself and trying to sleep on a night where she thought the most interesting thing that would happen was the new chicken recipe she had prepared for dinner.