Nick Fury's single eye stared intently at William.
"Alexander Pierce? Do you know what you're saying?"
"Of course I do."
"I'm saying that your greatest source of risk isn't the assassins hiding in the shadows, but the man who has always stood behind you, applauded you, and even personally helped you ascend to the Director's seat."
Fury's body didn't move, but the air in the office suddenly dropped to freezing.
He had dedicated his life to S.H.I.E.L.D., climbing to his current position over countless bodies and lies. He believed he had seen through all the betrayals and conspiracies in the World.
But Pierce... that name was one of the few cornerstones he could call "trust."
"Evidence."
Fury didn't roar in anger or refute; he simply uttered two words.
He was like a wounded lone wolf, all emotions reined in, leaving only the most lethal calm.
"Gladly."
William snapped his fingers.
"contract, pull up the relevant data for the Insight Project, with a focus on funding flows and key personnel approval chains."
The office's glass wall instantly transformed into a giant holographic screen, countless data streams pouring down, ultimately forming a complex web of relationships.
At the top of this web, two names were highlighted—Nick Fury, and Alexander Pierce.
"Director Fury, less than forty-eight hours ago, I sold you intelligence regarding the true purpose of the Insight Project."
William stood up and walked to the screen, like a CEO presenting a report to the board of Directors.
"Three Helicarriers, connected to a satellite network, can instantly locate and eliminate millions of 'potential threats' globally through the Zola Algorithm."
His finger traced across the screen, a golden line connecting "Zola Algorithm" to "Alexander Pierce."
"This algorithm is a legacy of HYDRA. And Pierce is the strongest proponent of this project within the World Security Council. Every time you expressed doubts about the project or tried to slow its progress, it was he who, with his power and influence, cleared the 'obstacles' for you."
Fury's gaze followed William's finger; his breathing showed no change, but the knuckles of the hand holding the coffee cup had turned slightly White from exertion.
In William's mind, the newly acquired "Information Broker" ability was quietly operating.
He could feel that these cold data points in front of him all emitted a unique scent.
The Insight Project's files emitted a strong "high-risk" scent, mixed with rust and decay.
And the name "Alexander Pierce" was like a Black hole, emitting a chilling "fatal value."
This feeling was strange, like a natural hunter who could sniff out the prey's tracks in the air.
"This only shows he's overzealous; it doesn't prove he's HYDRA."
Fury's voice was still hoarse.
"Of course." William agreed, turning to look at Fury with a smile, "Then, let's talk about something else. Your 'assassination' attempt."
"contract, play the surveillance footage of Washington D.C. streets, cross-referencing the attackers' routes with S.H.I.E.L.D.'s internal dispatch records."
The screen's display switched, and a thrilling car chase began to unfold.
Fury watched his heavily armed vehicle swerve under intense Fire, ultimately being overturned by a metallic-armed phantom.
"Winter Soldier."
Fury whispered the codename.
"Exactly, HYDRA's sharpest blade."
William's voice became calm, yet carried a power that struck at the heart.
"Have you ever considered, Director? Your whereabouts are top secret. Who could have so precisely known your route and mobilized an elite squad, including the Winter Soldier, to launch a fatal attack on the Director of S.H.I.E.L.D. in downtown Washington?"
On the screen, red lines converged from all directions onto Fury's car. Simultaneously, another chart showed that in the five minutes before the attack, several key S.H.I.E.L.D. internal security dispatch nodes experienced abnormal records of "communication silence" or "system delay."
And the ultimate authorization for all these abnormal commands pointed to an encrypted port.
A port that only a handful of people had access to.
Pierce was among them.
"When the news of your 'death' reached Triskelion Headquarters, who was the first to step forward to stabilize the situation?"
"Who, without any investigation, declared Captain America and Natasha Romanoff traitors and issued a kill-on-sight order?"
"Who is now acting as interim Director, taking full control of S.H.I.E.L.D., and forcibly accelerating the launch time of the Insight Project?"
With each question, William took a step forward.
His voice was not loud, but it was like a heavy hammer, striking again and again at Fury's already tattered trust.
Fury did not answer.
He remembered when he was young, how Pierce had patted him on the shoulder and told him, "To achieve great things, you can't be afraid to get your hands dirty."
He remembered how in Colombia, Pierce had defied orders, sending a helicopter to rescue him and the hostages who were trapped.
He remembered that every time he was in trouble, Pierce was the "old leader" who silently supported him from behind, providing him with political asylum.
His life's achievements, everything he had built, seemed to have the Shadow of that man behind them.
And now, someone was telling him that that Shadow had been a poisonous snake, ready to devour him, from the very beginning.
He wasn't cultivating a successor for himself.
He was raising the most powerful chess piece for HYDRA!
"Heh..."
A low, ambiguous chuckle escaped Fury's throat.
He laughed, his shoulders trembling slightly.
A terrifying, almost tangible anger rose from him.
The temperature of the entire office seemed to rise by several degrees because of his emotions.
The man who controlled the World's most powerful Agent organization finally revealed his true fangs at this moment.
"Very good."
Fury stood up.
The ill-fitting suit now exuded a fierce, iron-blooded general's aura.
"Excellent, Rodriguez."
He looked at William, the Fire burning in his single eye enough to melt steel.
"You've convinced me. Now, fulfill your contract. Tell me, what should we do to hang that old bastard's head on the flagpole of Triskelion Headquarters!"
"Revenge is a dish that needs to be carefully cooked, Director Fury."
William's smile became gentle and professional again, as if the aggressive questioner from moments ago wasn't him.
"Charging in and cutting off his head directly is the act of a brute, and it doesn't align with our company's risk control aesthetic."
He walked to Fury's side and patted his shoulder.
"What we need to do is not simply kill him."
"Rather, at the moment he is most complacent, believing he is about to control the World, we will utterly shatter everything he personally built, along with his HYDRA empire, bit by bit, right before his eyes."
A playful curve appeared at the corner of William's mouth.
"And the first step of the plan is to make him feel that everything is still under his control."
"We need to find a way to bring you, Nick Fury, back into his sight."
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