The Los Angeles sun, like molten gold, thickly covered Venice Beach.
The air was a mixture of sea salt, sunscreen, and the smell of street hot dogs.
William unbuttoned the first button, letting the sea breeze blow.
Compared to New York's concrete jungle, there was a wild vitality here.
He was strolling around.
It must be said that Los Angeles's attractions were good.
William, rarely taking a long trip, was very happy exploring.
His last stop was the Figueroa Street Financial District, and he hadn't walked far before he noticed something unusual.
"Ding! Potential client 'Curtis Connors' detected."
"Target characteristics: Highly intelligent individual, specialized in cross-species gene and limb regeneration research. Current mental state is extremely unstable, physiological functions have a risk of mutation, accompanied by a significant tendency for self-experimentation."
"System recommendation: Client belongs to the high-risk, high-reward type. Recommend 'Experimental Accident Liability Insurance (Biological Mutation Endorsement)' and 'Personal Accident Insurance (Non-human Transformation Limited)'."
William's gaze accurately locked onto the back door of an abandoned biological laboratory not far away.
A man was being roughly pushed by two security guards in Osborn Industries uniforms.
He was clutching a heavy briefcase tightly in his arms.
An empty sleeve swayed in the wind, looking particularly conspicuous.
Curtis Connors.
Dr. Lizard.
At this moment, his hair was disheveled, his eyes sunken, and his gaunt face was filled with the anger and despair of being abandoned by the World.
He staggered backward during the pushing.
His footing was unstable, and the briefcase nearly slipped from his grasp.
"Get out! This is my research! You can't touch it!"
Connors roared, his voice weary.
He tried to struggle but was pushed to the ground by a security guard.
The briefcase fell to the ground and opened.
Several pages of manuscripts and analysis diagrams were instantly scattered by the wind.
Connors lay on the ground, extending his only remaining right hand, futilely trying to grab the hopes that were flying away.
The security guards just watched indifferently; some even kicked away a diagram with their toes.
"Useless! Osborn doesn't need a madman like you! Take your trash and get out!"
William didn't hesitate and quickly stepped forward.
He walked past the security guards, bent down, and precisely picked up a diagram with complex molecular structures printed on it.
The edges of the diagram were stained, but it did not hide its ingenuity in the slightest.
He didn't hand it directly to Connors but gently brushed off the dust with his fingertips, as if handling a precious work of art.
Connors struggled to look up, and seeing William's actions, a hint of surprise flashed in his eyes.
"Dr. Connors?"
William's voice was gentle and steady, carrying an unexpected respect.
Connors eyed William warily, like a wounded Beast.
"Who are you? Don't touch my things!"
William ignored the scrutinizing glances from the security guards.
He handed the diagram in his hand to Connors.
"William Rodriguez. A risk consultant."
He presented a simply designed business card with only a name and a phone number on it.
"I happened to be passing by and seemed to see you ran into a little trouble."
Connors did not take the business card.
He struggled to sit up, picked up his fallen briefcase, and hugged it tightly.
"Trouble?"
Connors's tone was devoid of emotion.
"My life is a string of troubles. Are you here to collect a debt again? Get lost!"
Seeing that William made no further moves, the security guards withdrew their gaze and left.
"Quite the opposite."
William's smile remained unchanged, not at all swayed by the other party's rudeness.
"I'm here to pay a down payment for your life. For your future 'possibilities'."
A hint of wariness flashed in Connors's eyes.
Every word spoken by this well-dressed man seemed strange.
"I don't understand what you're saying."
"Of course, you don't understand."
William withdrew his gaze and looked at the closed laboratory door.
"Because no one has spoken to you in your language. They only care how much your inventions can sell for, and how much profit your patents can earn for them."
These words were like a needle, precisely piercing through the fragile shell Connors had disguised with anger.
"How could you..."
"I understand the plight of geniuses, Dr. Connors."
William's voice lowered.
"Having your achievements stolen, being kicked out of your own laboratory, being seen as a madman by the World. And that uncontrollable impulse within you, is it despair or talent?"
Connors's pupils suddenly contracted.
He subconsciously took a step back.
His secret, his greatest fear, was casually spoken by a stranger.
In an instant, the veins on Connors's only remaining right hand bulged.
His face appeared particularly pale in the sunlight.
William paid no attention to this.
He simply spread his hands, as if showing his sincerity.
"Don't be nervous. I'm not here to dissect you. I'm just a businessman; I sell 'guarantees'."
"Guarantees?"
Connors's voice trembled slightly.
It was hard to distinguish if it was fear or excitement.
"To provide a safe harbor for your upcoming breakthrough."
William took a step forward, looking directly into his eyes.
"To provide insurance for your experiment, which could go out of control at any time. To provide a solution for any 'collateral damage' you might cause."
He paused, his tone becoming incredibly serious.
"A policy that allows you to let go and do your work. Whether your research succeeds or fails, no matter where your anger is directed, someone will bear the consequences for you."
"You just need to focus on your career."
"Why should I trust you?"
"My other partner is named Tony Stark."
William took out his phone, opened Tony's contact, and handed it over.
"You can verify it anytime."
Connors was somewhat tempted.
Stark Industries was stronger than Osborn.
If they had their sponsorship... William took out a document from his briefcase again.
"This is an 'Experimental Asset Security Agreement.' You can understand it as insurance. I'm giving you a one-month trial period."
"What are the conditions?"
"I need priority investment rights for all your future research results."
William finally showed his businessman's fangs.
"And, I need a part of your... biological data. Of course, under the premise of your voluntary and safe consent."
This was his true purpose.
The system's extraction ability required a reasonable "medium."
An insurance policy collateralized by biological data was perfect.
This was a new trick William had come up with.
The system had no reaction, which meant it was feasible!
Connors fell silent.
The offer was full of temptation.
But he had nothing left.
What else was there to lose?
"How do I know you're not a trickster sent by Osborn?"
He made one last struggle.
William smiled.
He raised his hand and pointed to a black car at the street corner.
"See that car? That's Stark Industries' security department. If you agree, they will become your external protection, ensuring that Osborn's people won't bother you."
He was not lying.
It was easy for him to call upon some non-core resources from Stark Industries.
Connors looked in the direction he pointed, and his last line of defense was completely shattered.
"Okay."
He squeezed out a word through his teeth and took the document. The feel of the paper was cold and real.
"Ding! Client 'Curtis Connors' has signed the preliminary agreement."
"'Experimental Accident Liability Insurance (Biological Mutation Endorsement)' is now in effect."
"A wise choice, Dr. Connors."
He handed the future Dr. Lizard a bank card.
"Find a good place and build a new laboratory."
William's voice returned to calm and professional.
"Just send the bill to me."
Connors stared blankly at the card in his fingertips.
Then he looked at William.
This man, who called himself a "risk consultant," had pulled him from the edge of hell to a height he had never imagined in just ten minutes.
Cooperating with Stark Industries?
He had never thought of it.