CHAPTER 9: CHAPTER 9: CUNNING AND SHREWD

A man wearing glasses walked in carrying documents and a box, glancing at Paige Sterling, it was evident there was something urgent to discuss privately.

Julian Hawthorne asked, "Director Abbott, what’s the matter?"

The man looked at Paige again and Paige stood up to leave.

Julian said, "You sit there, don’t move."

Director Abbott said, "President Hawthorne, with an outsider present, isn’t it inappropriate? These materials are all company secrets..."

Julian didn’t say anything, just extended his hand.

Director Abbott had no choice but to hand the documents to Julian, but his eyes were fixed on Paige, fearing she might peek.

Paige noticed that as soon as Director Abbott appeared, Julian donned gloves, indicating that his allergy was indeed severe.

After Julian read through the data, he tossed the documents aside.

Director Abbott then took out a sample from the box and started introducing this newly developed small smart underwater drone product to Julian.

Paige glanced casually at the data on the table.

Even such basic data needs to be kept under wraps? Who are they underestimating?

Director Abbott reported to Julian with great excitement, as if the launch of this smart underwater drone would surely be a big hit.

Julian’s expression, however, remained indifferent throughout.

Paige’s eyes darted around, and she suddenly said:

"As far as I know, underwater drones with the same performance levels have existed abroad five years ago; of course, from a domestic perspective, the Hawthorne Group’s model might be the first of its kind, likely to receive broad public attention. But in comparison, foreign underwater drones may not have progressed much, yet due to earlier development, their technology is relatively mature, offering advantages in all aspects over domestic ones. People who can afford drones naturally have ample funds. Why would they favor a new domestic product with unstable performance and high price due to development costs?"

Her words were sharp, yet they precisely hit the nail on the head.

Director Abbott stared at Paige.

"Our company has studied and prepared this drone for more than three years; how could its performance be unstable? Don’t speak without understanding!"

In the field of technology, the domestic landscape had always lagged behind internationally. For core technologies like these, domestic acquisition through foreign channels was virtually impossible.

So, they had to conduct independent research.

Yet after all their efforts over such a long period, they were being negated by a woman who supposedly knew nothing. What did she know?

"These are your data documents. I just glanced over them. There are significant issues. Following this data to produce drones will lead to post-sale problems that could make you lose everything."

Director Abbott blurted out, "How can you view our company’s confidential documents!?"

Julian’s brow furrowed slightly, glancing at Director Abbott, "Three years, the company invested nearly five billion, and all you give me is this garbage?"

"President Hawthorne, how could you trust a layperson’s words? Although this drone cannot yet surpass Western technology for now, it..."

Julian interrupted him, "Research on the drone project stops here."

After a three-year investment of fifty billion, with no returns, Julian, a businessman, knew he had to cut losses promptly.

Director Abbott was anxious, but Paige spoke from the side, "Although this drone has significant problems, it’s not impossible to improve. If you just abandon it, wouldn’t the billions of the Hawthorne Group be washed away in vain?"

Paige’s confident demeanor seemed to radiate light.

Julian slightly raised his eyes, looking at Paige, "Can you improve it?"

"Of course, the underwater drone I have modified not only surpasses the technical levels other research companies in the country can’t reach, but even abroad, it would be impossible to develop in the short term. This underwater drone will absolutely allow the Hawthorne Group to dominate the market quickly."

After Paige finished speaking, she grabbed the sample, took some tools, and started unscrewing it.

Director Abbott was about to speak, but Julian raised his hand to stop him.

Director Abbott had to close his mouth, though with disbelief in his heart.

Paige might know some theoretical knowledge, but in actual operation, she surely wouldn’t know much.

Being such a young girl, how could she possibly understand these things?

But seeing Paige’s proficient and decisive actions, Director Abbott’s thoughts began to waver.

From Paige’s electronic operation techniques, it was hardly noticeable that she was new; rather, she seemed like a seasoned professor from a research lab.

Julian also kept watching Paige; normally, Paige was arrogant and flamboyant, but at this moment of focused work, her confidence and calmness made it hard for him to look away.

About thirty minutes later, Paige finished, looked at Julian, and said, "Now you can have someone throw the drone into the water sixty meters away."

Julian had Shaun Jones come in and throw the drone into the river behind the hotel across from the Hawthorne Group.

Paige controlled it remotely with her phone.

"Do you see? Previously, your original drone’s connection with the phone had a range of fifteen meters in combined above and underwater distances; beyond fifteen meters, the signal weakened, and the original drone’s photography quality worsened underwater. But now, the above-water distance is over sixty meters, the underwater depth is fifty meters, and the photography quality and data transmission accuracy—do I even need to say more?"

Already stunned, Director Abbott watched as the drone modified by Paige had technology surpassing the sample by unknown multiples.

His previous confidence had been crushed to dust.

Although Julian still maintained a neutral expression, Paige noticed his eyebrows relax, indicating he was in a good mood.

She blinked.

"President Hawthorne, did I just resolve a bottleneck problem that your company couldn’t overcome? But my capabilities aren’t just limited to this, you know."

Julian raised an eyebrow, with Director Abbott eagerly asking, "Do you mean there’s still room for further upgrades on this basis?"

"Of course."

Paige took the data file, "These are my revised data that will enhance the drone’s functionality, allowing for more remote and intelligent operations, with more precise data; even the module design is more rational. And importantly, it allows cost-saving while perfecting the product."

Director Abbott reached for the data.

However, Paige pulled her hand back.

With a smiling face, she looked at Julian.

"President Hawthorne should understand, there’s no such thing as a free lunch, right?"

That was her real purpose.

Julian’s fingers tapped gently on the desk surface.

Paige thought he seemed somewhat cunning at this moment.

"President Hawthorne, I don’t ask for much, just twenty million, and this complete data will belong to Hawthorne Group. Research based on precise data, and I can guarantee you’ll see results from your R&D in a month."