C237 Start Something For Youself

After listening quietly to Sarah's advice, Samantha lowered her head and fell into deep thought. The office became silent. The only sound was the faint ticking of the wall clock and the occasional rustling of papers on Sarah's desk. Several moments later, Samantha finally lifted her head. A small smile slowly appeared on her face. "Well..." "If you put it that way..." "...then perhaps it's time I start thinking about something that belongs to me."

Sarah looked at her with interest. "What do you mean?" Samantha folded her hands together. "Before I got married..." "I had quite a few talents." "I simply abandoned all of them after becoming pregnant." She let out a helpless laugh. "I devoted all my time to trying to become a good wife." "I kept trying to fit into everyone's expectations." "I stopped asking myself what I wanted." She looked down at her hands. "Maybe..." "I should start thinking about those talents again." "I don't even know whether I still have them."

Sarah's smile widened. "There we go." "Now that sounds more like the Samantha I wanted to see." She leaned back comfortably in her chair. "You don't need to figure everything out today." "But at least you're finally asking yourself the right questions." Samantha nodded gently. "I suppose so." Sarah continued, "You also have another reason." "Monica." The moment her daughter's name was mentioned, Samantha instinctively smiled.

Sarah noticed the change immediately. "You've already started thinking about her future, haven't you?" Samantha slowly nodded. "Yes." "I don't want her to grow up relying on other people the way I did." "I want her to become independent." "I want her to be proud of herself." Sarah smiled warmly. "Exactly." "And that starts with you." "If Monica grows up watching her mother chase her own dreams..." "...she'll learn to chase hers too."

She paused before continuing in a more serious tone. "Do you know why I always tell you not to rely entirely on Wood IT Company?" Samantha looked puzzled. "Why?" Sarah placed the application she had been reviewing onto the desk before answering. "Because nothing lasts forever." "My father may be the chairman today..." "...but tomorrow he could decide to change the shareholders." "He could appoint another director." "He could even sell his shares." "There are countless possibilities."

She sighed softly. "This company should only be our backup." "Nothing more." Samantha listened attentively. Sarah continued, "Even me." "I'm the Director today." "But what if one day I become seriously ill?" "What if something unexpected happens?" "What if I can no longer work?" She smiled faintly. "Someone else will become Director." "I'll have no choice but to rely on the shares I own."

She looked out of the office window. "Then what?" "What about my future?" "What about my children?" "What about the life I want to build?" She slowly shook her head. "No." "I refuse to depend on one company for the rest of my life." She looked back at Samantha. "That's why I've already started thinking beyond Wood IT Company." "I want something that belongs entirely to me."

She smiled. "I wouldn't call this company my success." "It's my father's success." "He built it." "He sacrificed for it." "He protected it." "My responsibility is to grow it." "But..." "I also need to build something that carries my own name." "I want people to one day say..." "'Sarah built this herself.'" Not... "'She inherited it.'" Silence filled the office again. Samantha stared at Sarah as though seeing her for the very first time. She suddenly realized... Despite being younger... Sarah's way of thinking was far ahead of hers.

She wasn't simply protecting what she had inherited. She was already planning the next chapter of her life. After a long while, Samantha smiled. A genuine smile. One that had been missing from her face for a very long time. "I have to admit something." Sarah raised an eyebrow. "What is it?" Samantha laughed softly. "I'm actually one year older than you." Sarah blinked before laughing. "I know." "But somehow..." "...you're always the one teaching me."

Sarah nodded. "Exactly." She stood up slowly before walking around the desk. Then, without warning... She hugged Sarah tightly. "Thank you." Sarah was startled. "Sister?" Samantha's voice trembled slightly. "You've become the best sister I could ever ask for." "My best friend." "Whenever I break down..." "...you're always there." "Whenever I lose hope..." "...you're the one reminding me to keep going."

She smiled through moist eyes. "Thank you, Sarah." Sarah gently hugged her back. Her voice was soft and sincere. "You don't have to thank me." "We're family." "I'll always be here whenever you need someone." She lightly patted Samantha's shoulder. "And next time..." "I don't want to see you crying because someone insulted you." Samantha laughed. "I'll try." Sarah shook her head playfully. "No." "Don't try." "Do it." The two women laughed together.

For the first time that day... The heavy atmosphere that had surrounded Samantha finally disappeared. She wiped away the remaining traces of tears before taking a deep breath. "I should get back to work." Sarah nodded. "And start thinking about your own future." Samantha smiled confidently. "I will." "And this time..." "I'll build something Monica can one day be proud of." Sarah gave her an approving nod. "That's the spirit." With one final smile, Samantha left the office.

The door closed quietly behind her. Sarah remained seated alone. She watched the closed door for a few seconds before smiling to herself. "It looks like she's finally beginning to stand on her own." She then turned her attention back to the thick stack of documents on her desk. Among them were several partnership proposals submitted by different banks, all hoping to secure Wood IT Company's newly developed banking application.

She picked up the first folder. Its golden logo immediately caught her attention. UK International Bank. Sarah adjusted herself in her chair and slowly opened the proposal. As her eyes moved line by line through the document, her expression gradually became more serious. "This should be interesting..." she whispered before beginning to read every detail carefully.