The moment he stepped into the black Chevrolet Suburban, the car door closed, completely shutting out the external noise.
William felt himself sinking into a deep sea.
There was no superfluous decoration in the car, only the cold metallic texture and the dangerous scent of high-grade leather, mixed with subtle perfume and gunpowder.
The air was so oppressive it felt solidified.
Madame Hydra, Ophelia Sarkissian, sat opposite him.
She held the priceless Ragdoll cat in her arms, her posture elegant, but her gaze dissected every inch of William's skin, as if she wanted to see directly through his bones and soul.
The cat, however, was entirely different.
It lay on its Master's lap, its sapphire-like eyes fixed on William without blinking, a contented purr rumbling in its throat, like a loyal fan meeting an idol.
William knew this was an interrogation and also a value assessment.
The more indispensable and mysterious he appeared, the greater his chances of survival.
The vehicle smoothly drove into a heavily guarded underground Base.
When the heavy alloy door opened before him, a pure White command center, full of futuristic technology, appeared before William.
Employees in uniform were busy at their various posts.
William's mind was frantically scrolling:
Holy cow! This is what you call a villain's lair! Stark Tower is just a trendy theme park compared to this!
Selling insurance to HYDRA, is the next step to go to Asgard to open up the God Realm market?
But on his face, he maintained a calm demeanor, as if accustomed to grand occasions, even with a hint of a professional's discerning eye.
"A very good security system, Madame," he said, looking around and nodding slightly, like an investor inspecting a property.
"Impregnable. Only…"
He changed the subject.
"The energy field here is too cold and oppressive, a chronic suppression of the emotions of any organic life form."
"Especially for your 'little darling'."
Sarkissian's hand, holding the cat, tightened imperceptibly.
She waved her hand, and everyone silently withdrew.
She personally led William into a pure White, empty room, with only two minimalist metal chairs in the center of the room.
The sound of high heels tapping on the floor was the only sound here.
The two of them sat facing each other like that.
Soon, a secretary-like woman came over with a few papers and handed them to Sarkissian.
She silently looked at the contents.
"Mr. Rodriguez? Tell me, what are your thoughts on my little darling?"
She sat on a metal chair, getting straight to the point.
"I can save it."
William's answer was simple and direct.
He articulated the plan he had already conceived in his mind, using the most professional tone.
"Madame, I will provide you and your 'special asset' with a unique 'Life Vitality Assurance' service."
"First, the 'Bio-Energy Field Resonance Service'. Its mental high pressure has already caused energy conduction to become stagnant. My company will deploy a miniature resonant terminal at your residence, and I will conduct a weekly remote one-on-one energy calibration and guidance to reactivate its core energy."
In simple terms, it was high-tech "cloud cat petting" via remote equipment.
"Secondly, the '24/7 Crisis Intervention Protocol'. You will receive an encrypted communication channel from me. At any time, should the asset show signs of reduced vitality, I will provide remote sonic comfort, or, if necessary, activate an emergency plan, with a standby rapid response team arriving at the designated location within one hour."
Which meant sending people to be professional cat nanny "Agent teams".
William thought Tandy would be perfect for this job.
"Again, the 'Environmental Adaptability Optimization Consultant'. Based on its energy fluctuations, I will provide you with the most suitable habitat parameters, including but not limited to temperature, humidity, light, and even… electromagnetic wave frequency."
In simple terms, it was searching online and then packaging it with high-brow vocabulary to send to her.
"Finally, and most importantly, the 'Extreme Risk Avoidance Plan'."
William's expression became serious.
"For a high-value target like you, anything around you could become an enemy's breakthrough point. This assurance covers abduction, subversion, destruction, and even… erosion from certain supernatural forces."
The first few items she could still understand as some unknown biotechnology.
But the phrase "erosion from supernatural forces" made her eyelids twitch.
What's wrong with this World now?
Is HYDRA's technology not even as good as an insurance company's anymore?
Why did some of this guy's words not make sense to her?
"My company has channels and experts to handle these types of special events."
William smiled mysteriously.
Madame Hydra fell silent.
She looked at the cat in her arms, purring contentedly because of William's narration, and the scales in her heart had completely tilted.
What William said was absurd, profound, like a medieval charlatan.
But the real reaction of this "living asset" in her arms was more persuasive than any eloquence in the World.
"Cost."
She uttered a word.
"The annual service fee for this unique assurance plan," William held up five fingers, "is ten million U.S. dollars."
He quoted a figure he thought the other party would definitely bargain down.
And even mock his greed.
However, Sarkissian merely nodded indifferently, as if discussing the cost of a bullet.
"Alright. Sign the contract, and the money will be transferred to your designated account."
William's heart almost leaped out of his throat.
Ten million U.S. dollars!
It just happened like that?
The World of Terrorists is truly simple, unpretentious, and boring!
He suppressed his excitement and sent over the electronic contract he had already drafted.
After Sarkissian's subordinates confirmed it was correct, she authorized it directly.
The phone vibrated, and the moment the notification of the incoming transfer arrived, the long-awaited system prompt finally sounded in William's mind.
[Ding! Successfully sold the "Special Asset Vitality Assurance Plan" to "Ophelia Sarkissian".]
[Extracting customer ability…]
[Congratulations, Host, you have acquired the ability — "Toxin Resistance (Primary)"!]
[Toxin Resistance (Primary): Your body's resistance to most common toxins (including alcohol) has significantly increased. Effect: Can drink a thousand cups without getting drunk, can be immune to some weak poisons. Warning: This resistance is ineffective against super toxins such as tetrodotoxin and botulinum toxin.]
This is good! A life-saving skill!
William was ecstatic internally, but still maintained a professional smile on his face.
"It's a pleasure to cooperate, Madame. Your trust is the beginning of your valuable asset's new life."
Ophelia looked at him, her eyes showing for the first time an appreciation for a "useful tool".
"Mr. Rodriguez, you are a good salesman, and I see your value."
She stood up and took out a black metal card.
"As the beginning of our cooperation, and… a further assessment of your value. I have an invitation."
She handed the card to William.
"In a week, there will be a private dinner party. I hope you can attend as my… business consultant."
"Those invited are all people who can solve problems, or who are themselves huge problems."
William took the card; it was cold to the touch, with only a simple letter "F" on it.
He keenly felt that Madame Hydra seemed to want to use his "mystery" to probe something.
This suited him perfectly.
"The Master of the dinner party," Sarkissian's red lips slightly parted, and she uttered a name that was enough to make the entire New York underworld tremble.
"Is Wilson Fisk."
William's hand, holding the card, tightened sharply.
Kingpin!
-------------------------------
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