C255 Spain National Bank

The atmosphere at Wood IT Company was unusually tense. The working day had barely begun when an emergency notice was sent to every executive and board member, requesting their immediate attendance in the main boardroom. No explanation was given. The only information on the notice was: Emergency Board Meeting, Attendance Compulsory.

Within minutes, discussions spread throughout the company. "Did something happen?" "Is there another acquisition?" "Did the banking project fail?" "No... perhaps the Director has another announcement." No one knew the real reason. One after another, the executives made their way toward the boardroom, each carrying a different guess in mind. When Sarah entered the room, several people instinctively stood up.

Although she still carried herself with the same confidence as before, many couldn't help noticing the subtle changes in her appearance. Her pregnancy had begun to show. Her cheeks had become slightly fuller, making her look even gentler than before, while the small curve beneath her suit was becoming impossible to hide. The female executives exchanged knowing smiles. "The Director is definitely expecting." "Congratulations will probably be in order soon." None of them dared say it aloud.

Sarah simply smiled politely before walking toward the Director's seat. Chris followed shortly behind. As Vice Director, his seat was directly below Sarah's. Across from him sat Samantha, who occupied the second Vice Director's seat. Chris glanced toward Sarah. She looked completely calm. Too calm. He frowned inwardly. "An emergency meeting..." "But she never mentioned anything to me." "What exactly is she planning?"

He looked toward Samantha. Unlike him, she appeared perfectly relaxed, casually arranging the documents in front of her. Seeing that, Chris slowly relaxed. "If Samantha isn't worried... then perhaps this isn't bad news after all." Soon, everyone had taken their seats. Sarah gently adjusted the microphone before looking around the room. "Good morning, everyone." "Good morning, Director," everyone replied in unison.

She nodded. "Thank you all for coming on such short notice." "I know this meeting was unexpected, but there is an important matter that cannot wait." Immediately, the room fell silent. Sarah opened the folder before her. "As everyone here knows, several weeks ago our company began developing a mobile banking application." "Our technical departments worked tirelessly on the project." "Although the original developers are no longer employed by this company, the application itself was successfully completed."

Several executives nodded proudly. Many had invested considerable time and resources into the project. Sarah continued, "After carefully reviewing every proposal submitted by our banking partners..." "...I have reached my final decision." She looked around the room before calmly announcing, "Wood IT Company will officially partner with Spain National Bank." The room erupted. "What?" "Spain National Bank?" "I thought it would be UK International!" "How could that happen?"

Several executives immediately raised their hands. Sarah remained seated, patiently waiting until the room became quiet again. Finally, one elderly board member stood. "Director..." "May I ask a question?" "You may." The man adjusted his glasses. "The UK International Bank proposal offered significantly higher financial returns." "They're one of the largest international financial institutions." "Partnering with them would greatly increase our global reputation."

Several executives nodded. Another added "Your father always discussed the important matters before making such decisions. Before Sarah could answer, another board member stood. "I agree." "If international exposure wasn't the priority, then Scotland Celtic Bank would've been the safest option." "They're local." "Communication would be easier." "Operating costs would also be much lower." Chris silently agreed. That had been his conclusion as well. He looked curiously toward Sarah. "Let's hear your explanation."

Sarah folded her hands together. "I appreciate everyone's opinions." She smiled slightly. "But..." "What you think..." "...and what I decide..." "...are not always the same." The room immediately became quiet. She continued calmly, "My father always discussed every decision with all of you." "I respect that." "But today..." "...my father is enjoying his retirement."

She smiled warmly. "He entrusted this company to me." "So from today onward..." "...I will take responsibility for the decisions I make." Nobody interrupted her. She picked up the UK International Bank proposal. "Let's begin with this one." She slowly lifted it high enough for everyone to see. "At first glance..." "...it's a beautiful proposal." "Higher payments." "International recognition." "Prestige."

She looked around the room. "In fact..." "When I first read it..." "...I almost accepted it immediately." Several executives exchanged surprised looks. Sarah continued, "But then I turned to the second page." "The conditions." She placed the proposal back onto the table. "The bank requires us to train all of their technicians." "They expect our staff to teach them how to operate, maintain and monitor the application." "So far..." "...that's reasonable."

She paused. "But the next condition changes everything." Her voice became firmer. "If the application suffers any malfunction..." "If money is stolen..." "If customers lose funds..." "...Wood IT Company becomes fully responsible." The room slowly became silent again. Sarah continued, "Not only would we be expected to repair the application..." "...we would also compensate every affected client."

She looked directly at the executives. "Imagine one system failure causing losses of one million dollars." "Who pays?" "We do." "If ten million dollars disappear?" "We still pay." She gently tapped the document. "Tell me honestly." "Would that still be a profitable partnership?" Nobody answered. Even those who had strongly supported UK International Bank lowered their heads. Sarah smiled slightly. "I thought so."

She placed that proposal aside before picking up the second file. "Scotland Celtic Bank." She nodded approvingly. "This proposal impressed me." "The benefits are lower..." "...but the conditions are fair." "They're willing to share five percent of their annual profits." "They'll also allow our technical team to continue maintaining the application." She looked around again. "It's a balanced agreement." Several executives nodded.

One of them even whispered, "That was my first choice." Sarah smiled. "It nearly became mine as well." She gently placed the second proposal beside the first before picking up the final document. "Spain National Bank." The room became attentive again. "This proposal offers lower upfront payments." "However..." "...it contains something neither of the other banks offered." She slowly raised two fingers. "A permanent two percent ownership stake."

Several executives gasped. Chris's eyebrows rose. "Permanent?" Sarah nodded. "Even if the partnership eventually ends..." "...Wood IT Company will remain a shareholder in Spain National Bank." "This creates long-term value rather than short-term profit." She paused briefly before continuing, "Of course..." "The proposal isn't perfect." "The bank requires our application to support multiple languages." "Spanish." "French." "And additional international language support in future updates."

She looked toward the technical executives. "That responsibility now belongs to our company." Her eyes settled on Josh. "Cybersecurity Department." Josh straightened immediately. "Yes, Director." "You will work alongside the Information Systems Department." Her gaze shifted toward Jamie. Jamie nodded respectfully. "Yes, Director." "I want both departments to rebuild and further develop the application." "Review every line of code." "Strengthen the security." "And most importantly..." "...determine whether we currently employ staff capable of supporting Spanish and French."

She paused slowly adjusting herself. "If we don't..." "...prepare recommendations." "We'll either recruit new specialists..." "...or begin language training for selected employees." Both department heads answered together. "Understood, Director." Sarah smiled with satisfaction. "I expect your preliminary report within two weeks." "Any questions?" This time... No one raised a hand. Instead, many executives looked at one another.

Although they hadn't agreed with her decision at first... They now understood the reasoning behind it. Sarah slowly closed the folder. "If there are no further questions..." "Then today's meeting is adjourned." She stood gracefully. "Thank you, everyone." The executives rose together. "Thank you, Director." As Sarah walked toward the exit, many of the female executives couldn't help glancing discreetly at her growing figure.

One smiled softly. "Looks like Our Director is going to become a mother." Another nodded. "And she's still leading the company this confidently." "I admire her." Without another word, Sarah quietly left the boardroom, while the executives remained behind discussing the meeting and her decision in hushed voices.