"Business secret, Mr. Stark."
William showed his usual mysterious smile.
"However, I can assure you that its origin is completely legal and meets the highest security standards.
You can subject it to any tests you deem necessary."
"[Ding! This item originated from a discarded prototype laboratory at Stark Industries in a parallel Universe - Earth-1610. It has been optimized and reconstructed by the system and is considered a legally allocated resource.]"
William silently grumbled in his heart: "Picking up trash" from another Universe's Stark Industries and reprocessing it is defined as "legally allocated."
The system's thick skin was comparable to Vibranium.
"And then there's this."
William picked up three exquisite glass bottles containing a clear blue liquid, with intricate silver patterns on their bodies.
"Palladium poisoning antidote serum.
Customized according to your physiological data, each dose can target and clear free palladium elements and their metabolic toxins accumulated in your blood within 48 hours.
Continuous use for three days, combined with a new reactor core, can essentially reduce the palladium content in your body below a safe threshold and repair some damaged tissues."
Pepper had been holding her breath and now asked nervously, "This serum... is it safe? Are there any side effects?"
"We have conducted over ten thousand simulation tests and biocompatibility verifications; the side effects are minimal."
William answered with full confidence.
"At most, you might experience temporary mild dizziness and loss of appetite, which usually subsides naturally within 12 hours.
Its main ingredients are derived from some very special natural extracts, with almost no rejection reactions in the human body."
Tony took a dose of serum and carefully observed it against the light.
He even felt the cool, smooth touch of the glass bottle with his fingertips: "These ingredients... if I take them for analysis, will I get results?
Where exactly is your laboratory hidden?
I bet even the FBI can't find you."
"Our company has always been dedicated to solving problems for clients behind the scenes; maintaining a low profile is essential."
William continued to deflect, "Customer privacy and security are always our top priority. Mr. Stark, for some things, you don't necessarily need to know the origin, as long as it works well, right?"
Tony Stark grew increasingly curious about this fellow, William.
Jarvis's investigation had not found any particular abilities in this person.
His entire life seemed so unremarkable.
Yet, this very person could easily resolve problems that even research institutions couldn't.
He could even help Tony Stark?
Incredible.
"Hmph, twisted logic."
Tony pouted, but he wasn't truly angry.
"Finally, and most crucially, a 'prescription.'"
William solemnly took out the thick stack of technical documents.
"New Element Synthesis Guide."
The office instantly fell silent, as if the air itself had solidified.
Tony froze for a few seconds, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes, then slowly, almost with a trace of reverence, he took the documents:
"New... element?"
His voice was somewhat hoarse.
Could he really not outdo an insurance salesman?
"Yes."
William said as if nothing had happened, though his tone carried a hint of enticement.
"According to our in-depth technical analysis, palladium is ultimately just a transitional, temporary solution.
To solve the problem once and for all, you need a brand new, more stable, more powerful, and safer energy element.
This document provides a validated synthesis pathway with an extremely high success rate."
Tony opened the documents, and just the complex yet elegant mathematical formulas and never-before-seen particle models on the first page made his eyes instantly light up with astonishing brilliance: "
This theoretical model... this interpretation of subatomic interactions... it's simply... genius!
No, it's a miracle!
Who, who wrote this?!"
He abruptly looked up, his gaze burning as he stared at William.
"The founder of the main theoretical framework, you should not be unfamiliar with him."
William continued to maintain his air of mystery.
"The core idea of this guide comes from some of your father Howard Stark's early... well, one could say, research notes that were buried by time."
"My father's... research?"
Tony suddenly stood up, his voice for the first time carrying a subtle tremor.
He gripped the documents tightly, his knuckles white from the force.
"Yes. Mr. Howard secretly led a pioneering project code-named 'Energy of Tomorrow' in the 1970s."
William began to "fabricate" with a straight face, his speech steady and his eyes sincere.
"At the time, he was limited by technological conditions and bottlenecks in materials science, and was unable to complete the final experimental verification, but its theoretical foundation was already quite complete.
Our technical team was fortunate enough to obtain these precious original manuscripts and, on this basis, combined with nearly half a century of scientific and technological development, carried out modern improvements, supplementation, and optimization."
Tony silently sat back down, turning the pages of the documents one by one.
His eyes shifted intensely between shock, ecstasy, doubt, and a complex emotion that had been deeply buried for a long time.
William could feel that this name — Howard Stark.
The weight it cast in Tony's heart was far heavier and more complex than the "new element" itself.
The magnetic field in the office seemed to become somewhat unstable due to his intense emotional fluctuations.
"Tony."
Pepper spoke softly, breaking the silence, her hand gently placed on Tony's shoulder. "No matter where these things come from, if... if they can really save your life..."
"I need time, Pepper, I need time to verify every detail of these theories."
Tony took a deep breath, closed the documents, and shot a gaze as sharp as an eagle's at William, "Tell me, what is the price for these things?"
William smiled, revealing a set of neat White teeth: "Mr. Stark, as I said before, this is our claims service provided to you, a direct compensation for the risks you face.
So, this 'life-saving package' itself is free."
He paused, then changed the subject.
"Of course, there's no such thing as a truly free lunch.
Our company is committed to building long-term, mutually beneficial cooperative relationships with top talents like you.
You just need to sign this basic 'Health and Asset Security Guarantee Agreement' to officially become our contracted client.
In the future, you will have access to more comprehensive, customized risk management services and priority technical support."
Tony raised an eyebrow, a hint of understanding flashing in his eyes: "Ongoing service? Sounds like a bottomless pit."
"On the contrary, Mr. Stark, this is a 'cornucopia' tailor-made for you."
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