Not being able to meet Stephen Strange the first time had been entirely expected, but Salomon was in no hurry.
If the car accident was the first setback Strange had ever encountered in his life, then Salomon did not mind bringing another setback a little earlier. For instance, making Ms. Christina Palmer part of the hospital's management, responsible for Stephen Strange's medical projects. Who knew whether that might make the stupid, arrogant man put aside some of his conceit—if he did not absolutely need someone as controllable as Strange to take the title of Sorcerer Supreme, Salomon would rather find someone more competent, responsible, and intelligent. He had heard that London had an exceptionally capable private detective with a very serious personality. Shh. As it happened, Salomon had a business card he had obtained from a taxi driver many years ago, and the number on it could reach that detective.
If all else failed, he still had the Silver Key. Salomon had long since selected the candidate for the Sorcerer Supreme after next. Even if this world's Stephen Strange was complete trash, Salomon could find a replacement: a blonde girl named Illyana Nikolayevich Rasputin, nicknamed Magik. He was not merely selecting a Sorcerer Supreme, but an assistant capable of offering help. But if possible, Salomon still wanted to avoid something like kidnapping someone across the multiverse. So he had to examine Stephen Strange's talent and mentality as thoroughly as possible, and before guiding him to the sanctuary through Kamar-Taj's hidden channels, try to instill a sense of responsibility in him.
But judging from the current situation, it would be difficult for that irritating man to possess anything resembling "responsibility." That was why the car accident had to happen. The Venerable One had to place suffering upon Strange to temper him.