Pepper also came back to her senses.
Looking at William, her eyes were filled with disappointment and a hint of suppressed anger at being played:
"And, Mr. Rodriguez, you just claimed to be a 'Risk Assessment Expert from the New York Insurance Association' at the press conference."
Her tone was professionally cold.
William took a deep breath and slowly exhaled.
The burning embarrassment on his face strangely subsided a little.
He knew that any sophistry or cover-up now would only make him look more ridiculous.
"Alright, I admit, all those backgrounds were made up by me."
William smiled unexpectedly frankly.
Although the smile was a bit forced.
But his eyes lit up again.
"I'm really not some damn association expert, nor do I have a glamorous office and impressive achievements.
I'm destitute, heavily in debt, and I don't even know where my next meal is coming from.
But, Mr. Stark."
"That doesn't mean everything I just said was nonsense!
Nor does it mean I can't provide the service you truly need!
Those risks, those predictions, do you dare to say they don't exist?!"
"I'm very poor, that's a fact."
William actually laughed, "But do you know what the biggest advantage of poor people is?"
Tony raised an eyebrow: "Please enlighten me."
"Our sense of risk is sharper than anyone else's."
William pointed to himself, "Because we can't afford any losses.
You rich people can make mistakes, pay tuition, and use money to smooth over troubles.
But we can't; one mistake could send us to perdition."
"So you mean poverty makes you more professional?"
Pepper was somewhat incredulous.
"Poverty makes me more cautious, more sensitive, and better able to foresee potential dangers."
William said seriously, "Mr. Stark, you were attacked in Afghanistan because your security team was too confident.
They thought with the U.S. military escort and the most advanced equipment, it was foolproof.
But they were wrong."
Tony's expression became serious.
"Do you know why I could spot the abnormality on your chest at a glance?"
William continued.
"Because I worry about my health every day. I can't afford good medical insurance, so I have to constantly observe my own and others' physical conditions.
This sensitivity is something money can't buy."
"Interesting logic." Tony nodded, "But that's not enough to convince me."
"Mr. Stark, what is the biggest risk you face right now?"
"Tony, you don't have to answer his question."
Pepper was a little worried.
"No, I want to hear his opinion."
"Your biggest risk is not shareholder lawsuits, not government pressure, and not even Terrorists' retaliation."
"It's loneliness."
Tony was stunned.
"You've just experienced the darkest time in your life.
Witnessed the destruction caused by your own weapons.
Bearing immense guilt.
Now you've made a correct but misunderstood decision.
Everyone thinks you're crazy."
William's voice was soft, but every word was insightful.
"The board opposes you.
Shareholders question you.
The media mocks you.
Even the people closest to you are doubting whether your decision is wise."
Pepper subconsciously looked at Tony.
"You want to change the World.
But you don't know who to trust.
You want to make up for past mistakes.
But you don't know where to start."
William continued.
"Most importantly, that thing in your chest puts you under constant threat of death.
But you can't tell anyone.
Because once exposed.
You will become everyone's target."
William confidently stated everything about Stark.
Of course.
That's because there were only three of them present.
If his uncle Obadiah were here, William would never say such a thing.
Tony's breathing became a little rapid.
"So what you need is not some high-end risk management company; those people will only tell you what you already know.
What you need is someone who understands your situation, someone who can offer you truly useful advice.
Someone like you, who struggles for survival every day."
The conference room was so quiet you could hear a heartbeat.
Tony was silent for a long time, then suddenly laughed: "What you just said was more effective than my psychiatrist's therapy."
"That's my professional skill."
William breathed a sigh of relief.
"I can read people's hearts, and understand others' fears and needs."
Tony held the contract, his gaze shifting over the clauses.
"Let me re-understand,"
He put down the contract.
"You said you could provide insurance claims for my 'special situation'.
But Mr. William.
Your bank account only has 442 U.S. dollars, you live in a dilapidated apartment with a monthly rent of 160 U.S. dollars, and you can't even pay off your own debts.
May I ask, if my Arc Reactor really has a problem and needs tens of millions of U.S. dollars in medical expenses, how do you plan to compensate?"
Pepper also nodded from the side:
"That is indeed a problem. The essence of insurance is financial security; if the insurance company itself doesn't have the ability to pay..."
William had long anticipated this question.
He unhurriedly pulled out another document from his briefcase.
"Mr. Stark, you're right, traditional insurance does require a strong capital pool as a backup."
He handed the document to Pepper.
"But my insurance model is different."
Tony, who had taken the document from his secretary's hand, looked down at this "Service-Oriented Insurance Claim Solution".
"You see, traditional insurance pays money when something happens, letting the client solve the problem themselves.
But money can't solve all problems, especially in your special situation."
William pointed to the document and explained.
"For example, if your reactor malfunctions, is giving you ten million U.S. dollars useful?
How many people in the World can repair such equipment?
Even with money, you can't find the right person."
Tony's eyes showed some surprise, apparently not expecting this small insurance salesman to say such a thing.
"So my claim method is to provide services, not money."
"Wait," Pepper interrupted, "How can you have these resources? You just said you don't even have a fixed office."
William grinned: "Miss Potts, do you know what the most important skill of an insurance salesperson is?"
"Silver-tongued?"
Tony half-smiled.
"Building a network."
William shook his head, "Although my performance in this industry isn't good, I know a lot of people.
Lawyers, Doctors, engineers, private detectives, veterans... people from all walks of life."
System: ???
"More importantly."
William changed the subject.
"Among the three of us here, who do you think knows best how to do the most with the least money?"
Tony and Pepper exchanged glances.
"You two have never lacked money since childhood; your way of thinking about problems is 'how much is this', 'how much is that'.
William spread his hands.
"But what I consider is 'how to get this done without spending money', 'how to achieve the goal at the lowest cost'."
"For example, if you need a top-notch cybersecurity expert, the normal route might cost hundreds of thousands of U.S. dollars in consulting fees.
But I know a veteran who did cybersecurity in the military and is now unemployed at home.
I can ask him for help for the price of a meal, because what he needs is not money, but the feeling of being needed."
William said earnestly.
"I connect people who need help with people who can provide help, benefiting both sides. This isn't taking advantage; this is creating value."
Tony suddenly laughed: "Interesting. So your business model is to be an intermediary?"
"Not entirely."
William shook his head, "An intermediary only facilitates transactions and collects commissions. I am a risk management consultant; my value lies in anticipating problems, formulating solutions, and integrating resources."