Days passed like expired sandwiches in a Hell's Kitchen corner store.
Day after day, they went by blandly.
No one filed a claim.
Nor did any clients proactively come to renew their policies or inquire about new types of insurance.
These days, William still wandered the streets and alleys, searching for traces of those heroes.
He firmly believed that in this high-risk World,
his "Superhero Exclusive Insurance Plan" definitely had a market; it just lacked an opportunity to ignite it.
But he always hit a wall.
This rendered his meticulously prepared "Client Care and Secondary Development — Customized Protection Plan for High-Risk Individuals" sales pitch completely useless.
Jessica Jones had vanished like thin air since that night, never contacting him again.
William occasionally thought of that woman.
This afternoon,
William was staring blankly at a Daily Bugle newspaper at a newsstand, contemplating whether to have a Mexican burrito from the corner for his next meal or splurge on Chinese takeout.
Suddenly,
the TV screen hanging in the nearby electronics store abruptly changed.
The screen, which had been playing a boring soap opera, was now dominated by an urgent news report.
"...The chairman of Stark Industries, Tony Stark, who had been missing for several months, miraculously returned alive today and has been confirmed to have arrived back in the United States..."
The announcer's voice carried a hint of incredulous excitement.
On the TV screen,
Tony Stark's face, familiar to the entire World, appeared.
He looked a bit haggard, with a scruffy beard.
But his eyes still held an untamed spirit.
He was being escorted by a crowd of reporters and bodyguards towards a black car.
Flashbulbs fired relentlessly as if they were free, almost blinding people.
The newspaper in William's hand fell to the ground with a rustle.
Tony Stark.
The playboy, billionaire, genius inventor.
He's back?
William's pupils contracted slightly, and his heart uncooperatively skipped a few beats.
Iron Man was about to be born.
The first superhero of the Marvel Cinematic Universe was about to make his debut.
The news report continued:
"According to a Stark Industries spokesperson, Mr. Tony Stark went missing after an attack during a weapons demonstration in Afghanistan.
He is currently in good health and will hold a press conference tomorrow to issue a formal statement on the incident..."
William's mind raced.
If the plot followed the direction he remembered,
at tomorrow's press conference, Tony Stark would publicly announce the closure of the weapons manufacturing division.
A decision that would shake the entire arms and financial industries.
The risks and opportunities hidden behind it... it was a stage tailor-made for him!
This was simply a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!
A super-rich individual who had just experienced life and death, whose mindset was about to undergo a massive change,
and who was about to put himself at even greater risk!
Back in his rented small apartment, William began to formulate a plan.
He scribbled and drew on paper, thinking about how to approach Tony Stark, the future Iron Man.
Stark Industries headquarters was located in Manhattan.
With William's current status and resources, direct contact with Tony Stark was almost impossible.
Barging in?
That was a reckless act; professionals focused on strategy.
However... tomorrow's press conference would definitely involve a large number of media, and the scene would inevitably be chaotic.
Security would be highly concentrated in the core area.
The periphery, however, might have gaps.
If he could sneak in, he might have a chance to approach Stark after the conference, or even during the conference.
He remembered that time with Jessica.
He needed to be bold and thick-skinned.
He pulled out his business card holder.
He picked out a business card with the title "Senior Risk Assessment Consultant — William Rodriguez" printed on it.
He had specially made this to appear more professional, and now it was just the right time to use it.
He also prepared a brief.
It was about "Enterprise Risk Management and Image Reconstruction after Major Incidents."
He hoped he could use it.
The next day, William put on his most presentable suit—though the cuffs were a bit worn, it was impeccably ironed.
Coupled with his carefully styled hair, he at least looked like an elite who frequented high-rise offices.
He carried his briefcase.
Inside were all the materials that could prove his identity as an "insurance and risk management expert" (most of which he had printed himself) as he headed to Stark Industries headquarters.
Outside the Stark Industries building, reporters and onlookers had already gathered, like a grand festival.
William mingled with the crowd, carefully observing the security situation.
The entrance was heavily guarded, and everyone entering had to show identification.
"Sir, please show your press pass."
A tall security guard stopped William, who was trying to push his way in with the flow of people.
William's heart tightened, but he maintained a professional smile on his face, calmly pulling out a business card and handing it over: "Hello, I am not a reporter.
I am William Rodriguez, a risk assessment expert from the New York Insurance Industry Association.
Considering that Mr. Stark has just experienced such a major safety incident, our association is highly concerned.
And we hope to provide Stark Industries with professional, independent third-party risk management consulting services.
To assist your company in assessing and avoiding similar risks that may arise in the future."
He had practiced this speech countless times on the way there, every pause and emphasis perfectly placed.
The security guard took the business card, eyeing William suspiciously up and down.
He then looked at the impressive title on the business card, hesitating for a moment.
At such large press conferences, sometimes observers or consultants from related industries would also attend.
Seeing this, William immediately pressed on, his tone sincere and professional:
"Mr. Stark's recent incident undoubtedly exposed huge loopholes that may exist in the current security system, and even in the entire process of weapon research and development, transportation, and demonstration.
I believe that the board of directors and management of Stark Industries, besides Mr. Stark's health, are most concerned right now with how to quickly mend these loopholes and rebuild market confidence.
And this is precisely our area of expertise."
He leaned slightly forward, lowering his voice:
"Believe me, an independent third-party risk assessment report is crucial for Stark Industries to overcome this crisis."
"This... I need to ask for instructions."
The security guard was still a bit hesitant, as there was no appointment.
Just then, the crowd stirred, and a black armored luxury car slowly approached under layers of escort.
The car window rolled down.
Tony Stark appeared.
William's heart pounded.
This was the future Iron Man.
Currently, he was just an arms dealer who had just struggled back from the brink of death, with fatigue and a hint of trauma in his eyes.
Stark got out of the car.
He was accompanied by several nervous bodyguards and his capable female assistant, Pepper Potts.
He looked even more haggard than on television.
His steps were slightly unsteady.
Under the flashlights, a subtle, unnatural circular bulge was faintly visible on his chest beneath his shirt.
That was undoubtedly the Arc Reactor sustaining his life.
"Mr. Stark! What are your thoughts on this incident?"
"How did you escape? There are rumors that you were tortured by Terrorists!"
"Stark Industries' stock price plummeted by 24% due to your disappearance; what is your response to this?"
The reporters swarmed Stark like sharks smelling blood.
Countless microphones and recording pens were thrust towards him.
The flashlights shone as brightly as daylight.
The security guards' attention was instantly drawn to maintaining order, trying to form a human wall between the frantic media and Mr. Stark.
The scene was chaotic.
William's eyes flashed—now was the time!