Chapter 318: Chapter 318

Henry Hale nodded, "Of course, you are excellent. I have always trusted you."

Henry’s words felt like encouragement, and Skylar Hughes immediately said, "Henry, I have obtained research data on Penson’s new product for the next quarter. With this data, Apex can develop a new product ahead of Penson’s market release..."

She went over the hardships of getting the document and analyzed the benefits this document could bring to Apex.

Everyone knows the allure of Penson’s new products. She believed that as long as the Hale Family weren’t fools, they would realize the immense benefits this document could bring them.

The Hale family members were indeed tempted, especially Dad Hale, whose face trembled with excitement.

He had also once tried to obtain Penson’s secrets, but was unsuccessful.

However, now Skylar Hughes had succeeded and had come to offer such a thing to the Hale family as a sign of allegiance.

If the document was truly useful, Dad Hale certainly wouldn’t treat her unfairly.

But what Dad Hale did not expect was that Skylar Hughes’s goal was actually to marry into the Hale family, and she even directly stated her purpose, leaving no room for negotiation.

Dad Hale’s face instantly turned cold, "Miss Hughes, are you saying that only if Henry is willing to marry you will you hand over the document?"

Skylar looked at Henry, thinking she was working for their mutual love, so Henry surely wouldn’t blame her.

Dad Hale’s face remained cold, "Miss Hughes, do you know what you are saying? What makes you think our Hale family would accept a woman with such a notorious reputation?"

Dad Hale’s blatant disdain for her made Skylar feel humiliated.

"Chairman Hale, there’s no need for me to tell you how powerful Penson’s products are. With Apex’s current situation, having this document would make suppressing Penson and taking the opportunity to develop not a difficult task. As for my reputation..."

Skylar paused, "Those rumors are just hearsay. The person who knows me best is Henry..."

Dad Hale glanced at Henry, who had remained silent, acting like an outsider.

Seeing this, Dad Hale knew what his son’s stance was.

Dad Hale then said, "Who knows if the so-called Penson research data documents you have are genuine."

Skylar felt there was hope upon hearing this and immediately said, "The documents are absolutely authentic and reliable, definitely not fake. I can guarantee that. But how do I know that if I hand them over, your Hale family will keep its word? After all, as a woman with little power, if your Hale family uses its power against me, I would have no means to resist, right?"

She wasn’t going to hand over the documents easily; she had to secure the greatest benefit for herself.

Henry looked at Skylar, his face still warm with a gentle smile.

"It seems you don’t trust me much."

Skylar immediately said, "Henry, don’t misunderstand. Of course, I trust you, but your family seems not to like me much. I’ve already offended the Sterling Family and been ostracized by everyone, leaving me with no sense of security. If you truly care for me, you would understand my actions, right?"

Henry looked over at Dad Hale.

Dad Hale smirked inwardly but maintained a light smile on his face.

"Miss Hughes, you’re a smart girl. If the documents you hold are genuine, then you would have helped our Hale family, and naturally, we wouldn’t treat you poorly. I can agree to your request to let my son marry you and hold a grand wedding to bring you into our family. But the prerequisite is that your so-called documents must truly be able to help Apex; otherwise..."

Seeing herself getting closer to her goal, Skylar chuckled lightly but didn’t speak.

Dad Hale furrowed his brows, "Do you have other conditions?"

"Marriage cannot be considered a complete guarantee. I hope Chairman Hale can be more generous and give me some of the shares I deserve. After all, it wasn’t easy for me to get this document, and if it weren’t for Henry, I wouldn’t have done it. So asking for a bit of equity shouldn’t be excessive, right, Chairman Hale?"

Dad Hale’s face turned sour.

This woman indeed has considerable ambition, wanting even the Hale family’s shares after marrying in?

It’s laughable since she doesn’t even know her own worth.

However, if the documents that Skylar Hughes holds are genuine and bring benefits to Apex, those benefits are indeed immeasurable.

Agreeing for now wouldn’t be a problem.

"I can agree to that."

Skylar was about to say something else when Henry spoke up.

"Since my dad has said so, what else are you worried about?"

Skylar indeed had many concerns, given that words alone can’t be relied upon. However, she feared that appearing overly eager for quick results might displease Henry, so she could only say, "Alright, I’ll send you the documents now. Henry, I hope you remember the sacrifices I’ve made for you and won’t let down my feelings for you."

Henry still smiled, "You know I would never wrong anyone who treats me well."

Feeling assured, Skylar sent over all the photos she had taken.

Initially, Henry’s face didn’t show much expression.

But the further he read, the more bizarre his expression became.

He looked up and asked Skylar, "Have you looked at this data?"

Skylar shook her head, "I haven’t had the chance to yet."

Henry’s eyes twitched fiercely, realizing that even though he expected Skylar’s obtained data to be unreliable, he hadn’t anticipated that she would bring a pile of garbage to him like some great treasure.

Seeing Henry’s expression, Skylar grew anxious, "What’s wrong, Henry?"

Henry took a pen, highlighting and scribbling over the documents, then tossed them back to Skylar.

Skylar then saw what was highlighted on each page when connected formed the letters ’SB.’

Skylar was dumbfounded.

"What does this mean?"

Henry laughed, "You don’t understand? You’ve been tricked."

Of course, Henry felt he was being played too.

Paige Sterling was mocking him, thinking that by relying on a Skylar Hughes, he could obtain Penson’s confidential data.

Henry felt like a fool himself and couldn’t help but laugh again.

"I don’t understand. Henry, explain it clearly."

Having witnessed Paige Sterling’s intelligence, Henry suddenly couldn’t tolerate having such a foolish woman around.

"Aren’t you supposed to be talented in scientific research? Can’t even understand such simple physical data? It’s nothing but a pile of garbage."

Skylar’s expression stiffened, "How is that possible? This is real. I got it from the Sterling Family!"

"That only means Paige Sterling is much smarter than you thought."

Probably only Skylar Hughes would believe Paige Sterling was that easy-to-fool sucker.

"Impossible, what makes you say the data is useless?" Skylar couldn’t accept that what she sacrificed so much for turned out to be worthless.

Then what retreat did she have now?

Henry said, "If you don’t believe it, you can search online." Newest update provıded by 𝕟𝕠𝕧𝕖𝕝·𝕗𝕚𝕣𝕖·𝕟𝕖𝕥

Skylar randomly took a piece of data and searched online, actually finding that... it was available online?

She’s no fool and knew that data easily found online could not possibly be Penson’s secret information.

She had been played by Paige Sterling?

Now, with Jared Sullivan ready to call the police to arrest her, the Hale family... certainly wouldn’t agree to let her marry in, let alone any shares.

Was it all for naught?

Sure enough, the Hale family quickly showed their true colors. Dad Hale coldly said, "Miss Hughes, were you just having fun at our Hale family’s expense?"

Filled with empty hope, even Dad Hale’s face looked unpleasant, giving Skylar no opportunity to speak further. He called security to directly escort her out.