Nick Fury sat silently on the sofa.
The ill-fitting suit he wore looked like a temporary disguise he had borrowed.
A security guard.
A monster made of mud and vines, capable of ignoring physical attacks, grabbing people across space.
Fury's brain, the one in charge of the world's largest Agent organization, accustomed to analyzing all intelligence, was now working at an unprecedented speed, trying to decipher the man before him.
Rodriguez Risk Management Company.
He had checked; its business scope was vague, and aside from handling some troublesome aftermath for a few Super Heroes, there was nothing extraordinary about it.
But now, he had personally experienced the company's 'business capability'.
HYDRA's 'Insight Project' intelligence, worth 500 million.
An inconceivable 'emergency evasion', worth 200 million.
And he himself, the Director of S.H.I.E.L.D., was being placed like an item of cargo on this secluded private island.
All his experience, power, and backup plans became a joke in front of the swamp that had appeared out of nowhere.
"Rodriguez."
Fury put down the untouched cup of coffee.
"I need more than just a safe house and an encrypted line."
"I need your help, real help. To bring down HYDRA, to reclaim S.H.I.E.L.D., that requires intelligence, resources, and even... your unconventional 'employees'."
"Of course, Director Fury."
William sipped his whiskey, a professional 'I completely understand you' expression on his face.
"The client's needs are the direction of our service. What you are facing now is no longer a simple personal safety risk, but a'subversive crisis' for the entire organization."
He put down his glass, leaned forward, and clasped his hands on his knees.
"This falls under our company's highest-level 'Institutional Asset Preservation' business scope. Of course, to activate this service, we need a new agreement."
Fury's eyelid twitched.
He still wanted to charge?
William ignored his expression and calmly opened the 'paradox briefcase' beside him, taking out a brand-new electronic agreement tablet.
He gently pushed the tablet onto the coffee table in front of Fury.
The screen lit up, with a bolded title.
"S.H.I.E.L.D. Guardian" Chief Executive Officer Security and Asset Restructuring Agreement.
Fury's gaze swept over the meticulously worded and logically rigorous clauses: 'geopolitical risk hedging,' 'hostile force infiltration clearance,' 'core asset (S.H.I.E.L.D.) restructuring consulting services'… He knew all these words, but combined, and coming from the mouth of an insurance salesman, they were filled with absurdity.
His finger slid across the screen, directly to the bottom.
The premium column.
That string of numbers made his recently calmed blood pressure begin to surge again.
"One hundred million U.S. dollars?"
Fury's voice was not loud, but the air in the office seemed to freeze.
He felt his temples throbbing.
This bastard, this Vampire taking advantage of the situation!
"Director Fury, please allow me to correct you."
William's smile was impeccable, his tone as sincere as if he were soliciting for charity.
"This is not a 'fee'; this is an 'investment'. A necessary investment to ensure that you, and the vast organization you represent, can survive this storm."
He raised a finger.
"Think about it, what is S.H.I.E.L.D.'s annual budget? Billions? Tens of billions? Now, you only need to spend a mere 100 million to hire the industry's top risk management team to handle this crisis that could lead to the entire organization being wiped out."
"From a return on investment perspective, you've practically hit the jackpot with this deal."
Fury stared intensely at William, the rage in his single eye almost erupting.
He had met countless shameless individuals in his life, but none could articulate extortion as refreshingly and elegantly as the man before him, even making you feel he had a point.
"Moreover," William changed the subject, adding, "this agreement will grant our company 'highest priority' in handling this crisis. This means all my resources, including the 'Mr. Security' you just met, will be at your service."
"You only need to sign this document, and all remaining troubles will be handled by me."
"You only need to be responsible for giving orders, and then... paying the bill."
He fell silent.
A long silence.
He had no choice left.
Within S.H.I.E.L.D., friend and foe were indistinguishable.
The Avengers were too far away to help with an immediate problem.
Stark hadn't even cleaned up his own mess and had also managed to trick Captain away.
Should he use Hulk?
Better not; after Hulk's visit, the Triskelion would probably need to be rebuilt.
"Give me the pen."
William smiled and handed over the stylus specifically for signing electronic agreements.
Fury snatched it, almost poking through the screen with the force he used to scrawl his name in the signature field.
Nicholas Joseph Fury.
The moment he signed, the cold yet pleasant mechanical prompt sounded in William's mind, as expected.
Ding! Successfully sold the "S.H.I.E.L.D. Guardian" Chief Executive Officer Security and Asset Restructuring Agreement to Nick Fury, Director of S.H.I.E.L.D..
Extracting client ability...
Congratulations, Host, you have gained the ability — "Intelligence Broker (Elementary)"!
Intelligence Broker (Elementary): Your thinking pattern has been optimized, allowing you to instinctively sniff out the scent of "high-value intelligence" from a vast amount of complex information. You can intuitively assess the potential value and associated risks of a piece of intelligence, and more easily discover hidden connections between pieces of information.
This ability... William's heart stirred.
It was practically tailor-made for him!
Wasn't his business about selling intelligence and managing risks?
This ability would allow him to transform "risk assessment" from a skill into an instinct!
After signing, Fury slammed the tablet onto the table, his chest heaving violently.
One hundred million U.S. dollars.
He felt he had never been so humiliated in his life.
"Alright, Rodriguez, the money, I'll have Romanoff figure it out. Now, start fulfilling your contract!"
"Of course."
William's smile became even more sincere; he stood up and walked to the large floor-to-ceiling window, looking down at his small island.
"Pleasure working with you, Director Fury."
He turned around, giving the client he had just severely overcharged an 'everything is under control' expression.
"So, as the beginning of our cooperation, let's first deal with the first, and most troublesome, risk point."
"Alexander Pierce."
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