"The wool may be fine, but the quality is high…"
He muttered to himself, a wide smile spreading across his face.
The afterglow of the system's reward hadn't fully faded when William's phone rang.
He looked down at the caller ID—Tony Stark.
"William, are you busy?"
Tony's voice sounded more energetic than usual.
"I need you to come to Stark Tower now."
"Of course, Mr. Stark. New business requirements?"
William keenly picked up on the subtle nuance in Tony's tone.
"You could say that, an important 'client presentation'."
Tony paused, his voice lowering slightly.
"Do you know S.H.I.E.L.D.?"
William's heart skipped a beat, but he quickly recovered.
S.H.I.E.L.D.?
No way!
I'm just selling insurance to Tony Stark!
Are they already so impatient?
He had anticipated this day, just not that it would come so soon.
"I've heard of them, a special government department that handles 'unusual' affairs."
He tried to keep his voice calm and even.
"Yes, their highest-ranking official, Director Nick Fury, wants to meet you.
This afternoon at three o'clock, in the top-floor conference room of Stark Tower."
Tony's tone was understated, but William heard the weight behind it.
"Don't be nervous, it's just a routine inquiry, a coffee and a chat.
You're my man now, they wouldn't dare do anything to you, at most they'll just ask a few more questions."
"Understood, I'll be there on time."
William hung up the phone and sat quietly on the sofa for a few seconds.
S.H.I.E.L.D. actively seeking him out was definitely not a casual "coffee."
A "mystery insurance salesman" with an unknown background suddenly established such a close working relationship with Iron Man.
He even solved the life-threatening palladium poisoning problem.
Any intelligence agency would list him as a top-priority investigation target.
Fortunately, he wasn't the penniless homeless man worrying about rent anymore.
William stood up and walked to the wardrobe.
Tony had prepared more than just a place to live; he had also thoughtfully provided clothes for daily wear and important occasions.
Several well-tailored suits hung neatly in the wardrobe, from Armani to Zegna, all exquisite.
He chose a dark blue pinstripe suit with peak lapels.
He paired it with a silver-grey tie.
He adjusted his cufflinks and slightly long dark hair in the mirror.
The man in the mirror had sharp eyes.
Professional, confident, with a hint of composure.
Completely unlike the down-and-out salesman of a few days ago.
"Clothes make the man, and I have both."
William murmured, then pushed open the door.
At 2:40 PM, William arrived punctually outside the private elevator on the top floor of Stark Tower.
Happy Hogan still wore his usual unsmiling poker face.
But William noticed that he was wearing a very formal black suit today.
His tie was meticulously knotted.
His eyes were also more vigilant than usual.
It seemed this meeting was far more serious than Tony's "coffee" suggestion.
The elevator doors slid open silently, stopping at the highest-level conference area, which Tony rarely used.
Stepping out of the elevator, the bustling cityscape of New York was visible through the bright floor-to-ceiling windows.
At the end of the corridor, Tony Stark was leaning against the conference room door, waiting for him.
"William, perfect timing."
Tony looked him up and down, then whistled.
"Not bad, you look every bit the senior consultant for Stark Industries; you're representing my image."
"Thanks to your generous clothing allowance, Mr. Stark."
William smiled cooperatively.
"Don't be nervous, relax, just think of it as meeting some very curious friends."
Tony led him towards the conference room, lowering his voice as he advised.
"But there's one thing to remember—those S.H.I.E.L.D. guys, every one of them has a persecution complex; they suspect everything that exists and doesn't exist.
You just need to tell them truthfully what you did, but absolutely do not mention how you did it, understand?
That's your core competency, and it's a trade secret."
"I understand, be honest about what I did, keep secret what I can do."
William nodded knowingly.
Tony gave him an approving look and pushed open the heavy conference room door.
William took a deep breath and followed him inside.
The large conference room was well-lit, with an oval black conference table in the center.
Two people were already seated in the room, their gazes fixed on the doorway.
In the center was a tall, burly Black man.
Around fifty years old, dressed in a black trench coat.
He wore his signature black eye patch over his left eye, and his remaining right eye was as sharp as an eagle's.
He exuded an undeniable, powerful aura.
He merely sat there, like the eye of a storm.
To his right was a red-haired woman in a black, form-fitting combat suit.
Her figure was agile and well-proportioned, her face beautiful.
But her green eyes were like those of the calmest hunter, scrutinizing every detail.
William's pupils imperceptibly contracted.
Nick Fury, Director of S.H.I.E.L.D.
Natasha Romanoff, Black Widow.
S.H.I.E.L.D. had actually sent such a top-tier lineup to "understand the situation."
It seemed his collaboration with Tony had escalated to a very high threat level in their eyes.
Or rather, a very high level of "attention."
"Mr. Rodriguez, please have a seat."
Nick Fury spoke first, his voice deep and magnetic, as if carrying an irresistible force.
He gestured to the empty chair across the table.