William's gaze shifted to the trash can that Jessica had casually tossed, gloriously sacrificing itself and leaving a heroic imprint on the wall.
He cleared his throat, trying to keep his voice steady amidst the somewhat chaotic adrenaline: "Ms. Jones, I completely understand that you are danger itself.
I've deeply experienced this from the heroic performance of that... uh, trash can just now."
He pointed to the dented trash can and the damaged wall, "But you see, when 'danger itself' acts up, it occasionally accidentally harms the innocent... uh, causes some extra damage, right?
Like that innocent trash can, it could have enjoyed its golden years in the corner.
And this wall, it probably needs a good repair... Hmm, maybe even some structural reinforcement, and it wouldn't be good if it bothered the neighbors."
Jessica followed his finger to glance at the unfortunate trash can, then at the dent in the wall, her eyebrows arching higher, but a faint curve seemed to appear at the corner of her mouth.
She didn't immediately react, instead picking up the bottle of bourbon again and taking another swig, seemingly digesting William's roundabout speech.
"So," she put down the bottle, its bottom thudding against the table, making William's heart jump, "you mean, I break things, and you pay for them?"
"Let's put it this way," William quickly interjected, trying to make every word clear and reliable, "As long as you purchase our company's specially designed product for you—*cough*, 'Superhuman Third-Party Liability Insurance (Hell's Kitchen Special Edition),' then if, due to some of your 'business activities' or 'sudden incidents,' you accidentally cause losses to others—whether property or personal injury, as long as it meets the contract terms, our insurance company will foot the bill."
"Of course, the premise is that these actions are within the legal framework's permissible... uh, or rather, within a 'Hell's Kitchen Rules' understandable range."
He added promptly, trying to be more realistic.
"You only need to pay a tiny bit of premium, and you can reliably offload those troubles that might pop up at any time, sometimes even a large sum of money, to us."
"Think about it, repairs in Hell's Kitchen aren't cheap.
If you accidentally affect Old Wang's noodle shop next door, or Mrs. Martha's beloved award-winning potted plant downstairs, those are all potential troubles and unexpected expenses.
With this insurance, you can be more... uninhibited in your work, without worrying about these trivial matters, and your 'danger' can be fully unleashed. How good is that?"
After William finished speaking, he forced out what he believed to be his most sincere and professional smile.
In his heart, he was frantically praying: "Please, please, don't treat me like a swindler selling cemetery plots; this is a legitimate business that can save people... uh, save wallets from Water and Fire!
System, oh System, if you screw me over again this time, I'm seriously going to consider a career change!"
Jessica stared at him, remaining silent for a full ten seconds.
The air in the office seemed to solidify, with only the faint honking of cars from outside reminding William that he was still among the living.
"Third-party liability insurance..." Jessica repeated the term, then suddenly leaned back in her creaking chair, crossing her arms, "It sounds like you've really studied me?"
William's heart tightened: "Oh no, I've been found out? No, I just made a reasonable inference, a reasonable inference! Based on big data risk assessment!"
He remained calm on the surface, even managing a hint of pride: "Ms. Jones, those of us in this line of work must be considered professional risk advisors. Understanding potential clients' backgrounds and risk points is a basic skill and professional ethics.
We strive to find the most suitable protection plan for each client, no more, no less, just right.
Given your unique profession, we naturally conduct more in-depth research."
"Hmph," Jessica let out a soft snort from her nose, clearly distrustful, "Sounds better than it is.
How do I know this isn't some new kind of scam?
For example, after signing the contract, when something actually happens, you'll find a hundred reasons not to pay?
I've seen plenty of insurance company tricks."
"Reputation is the lifeblood of our industry, Ms. Jones."
William immediately retorted, his tone utterly decisive, "Especially for a company like ours that wants to make a name for itself in a new territory, every client, every claim, is crucial to our reputation and our ability to survive.
Moreover, we also have 'trial packs.' You can start with a short-term one, or we can even insure a specific 'job' you're about to undertake, letting you test the Water first. If you find it reliable, then we can discuss long-term options."
He tried to steer the conversation back to the more acceptable entry point of "experience."
Jessica extended a finger and tapped the desk, making a dull thudding sound: "Kid, don't give me that. 'Experience'? Heh."
She stood up, and that invisible pressure returned, "You want me to sign your policy, fine."
William's heart leaped: "Really?"
"However," Jessica's tone shifted, a hint of playful scrutiny in her eyes, "you'll have to prove first that your insurance, or rather, you yourself, can be more useful than that trash can... when you're by my side."
William blinked, almost doubting his ears: "Prove? I... how do I prove it?"
He instinctively took half a step back.
"That's right."
Jessica walked to the corner of the office and rummaged through a pile of clutter, pulling out a slightly old but well-made leather jacket.
She roughly put it on, covering the toned muscles beneath her tank top, which only added to her capable and dangerous aura.
"Since you say your insurance is so amazing and can offset risks, then you also need to show me that you, the insurance seller, aren't just all talk in a safe place.
Come with me on a job."
"Wait, Ms. Jones!"
William's scalp tingled, "I'm just an insurance salesman, mainly responsible for paperwork and risk assessment, I'm not..."
He wanted to say "not a thug or a bodyguard," but seeing Jessica's impatient gaze, he swallowed the rest of the sentence.
"What? Scared?"
Jessica glanced back at him, a mocking curve on her lips, "Didn't you just talk so eloquently? All that about third-party liability insurance, professional risk assessment, respecting special talents.
Now that I'm asking you to personally experience the working environment of a 'special talent' and see real risks, you're chickening out? Does your insurance only cover calm seas?"
A million grass mud horses with studded shoes galloped through William's mind.
He just wanted to sell some insurance, make some sales, why did it suddenly turn into an adventure with a violent queen?
This plot development was too abrupt!
But seeing Jessica's expression that screamed, "If you don't come, you're a coward, and your insurance is trash," he gritted his teeth.
For the sake of performance, for breaking into this damned Hell's Kitchen market, for proving his insurance wasn't just empty talk... and for not losing face in front of this woman!
He took a deep breath and straightened his back: "Alright! Ms. Jones, I'll go! It'll also be a good opportunity for me to conduct an on-site investigation of what potential claim scenarios your work might generate, so we can better refine our product!"
Never concede defeat; throw out the professional jargon first.