Tandy and Tyrone exchanged glances.
Confusion, as if asking, 'Boss, are you being sarcastic?' was written all over the two kids' faces.
This wasn't considered messed up?
It was their first field mission, and they almost exposed their boss's secrets.
If this were any other company, they'd probably be packing their bags to leave.
"Not only did you not mess up, you helped me solve a big problem."
William's smile didn't seem feigned; he turned to Emil, who was deep in thought.
"Emil, what do you think of their performance?"
Emil's icy blue eyes swept over the two young people, lingering on Tyrone for half a second longer.
He could feel the unstable power within Tyrone, one that was integrated with darkness.
"From a tactical perspective, the target was exposed, and the mission failed."
Emil's evaluation was as cold and direct as ever.
"But from the results, you used the most... unexpected way to solidify the 'mutual trust' between the boss and his important client. Although the process was foolish, the outcome was good."
These words made Tandy and Tyrone's expressions rollercoaster up and down.
"Did you hear that?"
William clapped his hands, bringing the conversation back.
"Peter is a good kid, but he's too idealistic. Letting him realize the complexity of this World early won't do him any harm."
"This accident, on the contrary, allowed him to enter the 'Social University' correspondence course early, and I am the Professor."
He paused, his tone becoming lighter: "Moreover, he also learned about our 'employee benefits.' Maybe one day he'll truly understand and switch over to become our colleague."
"You're helping the company with 'campus recruitment' warm-up; you deserve credit."
After this set of twisted logic, the two young people were completely confused.
They just felt that their boss's thought process was a bit different from normal people, but it also seemed... to make some sense?
William was very satisfied with this effect. He waved his hand like a generous monarch: "Alright, it's getting late. Go back and rest. Starting tomorrow, we have a lot to do."
After sending off the two still-confused interns, only William and Emil remained in the office.
"You're really good at swaying people's hearts."
Emil's voice showed no trace of admiration or sarcasm.
"I prefer to call it 'corporate culture building.'"
William sat back in his boss's chair and spun halfway around.
"Emil, the safety issue you raised is very important. Starting tomorrow, I need you to lead the 'North Brother Island Defense Upgrade Plan.'"
"I need authorization."
Emil was concise.
"Of course."
William pulled another tablet computer from his briefcase and pushed it over; a contact interface was already displayed on it.
"This is Stark Industries' internal procurement channel. Whatever equipment, materials, or personnel you need, you can get through it."
Emil's eyebrow twitched.
He looked at William's matter-of-fact face and, for the first time, felt that his boss's shamelessness might be even more unfathomable than his abilities.
"Jarvis will assist you."
William added.
"Just call Jarvis directly on the tablet. It's a great AI and can help you handle most of the tedious work. You can think of it as your... personal assistant."
Using the World's top AI as an assistant to spend a billionaire's money to fortify his own stronghold.
Emil felt that the matter itself carried a sense of absurd fantasy.
But he didn't refuse; he just nodded and picked up the tablet.
This challenge ignited the desire for conquest inherent in a top warrior.
Over the next two days, North Brother Island became busier than ever.
Stark Industries engineering ships quietly docked under the cover of night.
All kinds of high-tech equipment and building materials were continuously transported to the island.
Under the planning of Emil Blonsky, the top tactical master, the entire island's defense system began a complete overhaul.
Ostensibly, this was to repair the helipad damaged by Iron Man.
Underneath, countless sensors, automated turret bases, and emergency shelter frameworks were being constructed with astonishing efficiency.
Emil was like a cold foreman, sleeping only three or four hours a day, his eyes bloodshot as he meticulously oversaw every construction detail, ensuring everything was foolproof.
Tandy and Tyrone were also busy.
William gave them a long list of recent 'superpower suspects' emerging in New York City.
Their task was to act like paparazzi, observing, recording, and evaluating these individuals' abilities, personalities, and potential risks.
Every night, the two young people would return to the island, exhausted but with the latest intelligence, and hand it over to William.
William, like a greedy hunter, organized this valuable information, continuously refining his 'potential client database.'
This database contained both heroes and villains.
But in William's eyes, they all had only one label—walking insurance policies.
During these busy intervals, William occasionally thought of the woman with the black leather jacket and black hair.
He leaned on the sofa, unlocked his phone, opened the long-inactive chat box, and sent a message.
How have you been lately? Has the public safety in Hell's Kitchen improved a bit because of you?
The message was sent successfully, then sank like a stone.
William didn't give up, waited another day, and sent another message.
I recently landed a big deal and made a fortune. When are you free for a drink? I know a newly opened bar with more types of whiskey than jeans in your closet.
Still read but no reply.
William stared at the phone screen, ground his molars, and finally couldn't resist sending a third message.
Seriously, are you just heartless? Too lazy to even send an emoji?
After sending this, he angrily threw his phone to the other end of the sofa, internally scolding this woman for her lack of martial virtue.
We're all adults; it was just a fling, a good time to part ways, but you're even stingy with a 'get lost,' and that's really hurtful!
Time quickly came to the third night.
The opening ceremony of the Stark Industries World Expo was to be grandly held at Flushing Meadows-Corona Park in Queens.
As night fell, the entire park was brightly lit, as if it were daytime.
The giant Stark Industries logo rotated in the night sky, attracting the attention of the entire World.
William changed into a tailor-made dark blue suit, his hair meticulously combed, making him look like a top financial elite from Wall Street.
The cautious insurance elite still wore his foolproof plan. After adjusting his tie, he picked up his briefcase and walked to the lobby.
Tandy and Tyrone were already waiting there.
They were both still wearing hooded sweatshirts.
"Ready? Tonight we're going to see what 'money power' truly means."
William smiled at his two employees.
He walked to Emil's temporary office and knocked on the door.
Emil was facing a huge virtual screen, covered with dense diagrams of the island's defense structure.
"Emil, change your clothes and come to a party with us."
William said, leaning against the doorframe.
"It's Tony Stark's event; there are a lot of good things to see, and maybe even free champagne."
Emil's gaze did not leave the screen; he refused without turning his head.
"I'm not going." His voice was low and calm. "Such crowded places are not suitable for me."
William was silent for a moment.
He knew what Emil was worried about.
"Alright." William didn't insist. "The island's safety is in your hands."
William shrugged, took Tandy and Tyrone, and boarded the special plane that had come to pick them up, heading towards the brightly lit area.
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