The boardroom was immaculate: water bottles lined up perfectly, gleaming screens ready for presentations, assistants busily attending to every need. Rebecca silently rehearsed her pitch, the words « historic transaction » echoing in her head.
At precisely 2 p.m., the door opened. Daniel Harris, senior partner at Summit Capital, entered. A tall man in his forties with a calm yet imposing presence, the kind of man who speaks little but whom everyone listens to. Rebecca jumped up, extending her hand to him with a radiant smile.
— Mr. Harris, welcome. We are honored to have you here today.
Daniel shook her hand politely but coldly. His gaze swept the room, then returned to her. He seemed distracted, almost cold. The meeting began, and Rebecca delivered her presentation flawlessly: charts, forecasts, promises of return. She had expected admiration. Instead, Daniel listened in silence, his expression impassive.
When she had finished, Daniel put down his pen. « Thank you, Mrs. Langston. Your figures are impressive. But before we go any further, I’d like to ask you a question. »
Rebecca leaned forward impatiently. — Of course, I’m listening.
« This morning, » Daniel said slowly, « my father visited this bank. Walter Harris. He told me he was humiliated by someone here when he tried to withdraw some money. Are you aware of this? »
Rebecca’s blood ran cold. Silence fell. She stammered, « I… I speak to many clients every day. If there has been a misunderstanding, I assure you that… »
Daniel interrupted her. His voice remained calm but firm. « He’s my father. He worked forty years in a steel mill so I could get an education. He entrusted his life savings to this bank. And today, you treated him like a beggar. »
Rebecca’s chest tightened. She saw the council members shifting in their seats. The smooth confidence she wore like armor began to crack.
Daniel Harris closed the file in front of him and put it aside. “Summit Capital will not be proceeding with this agreement. A company that disregards its clients—especially those who have trusted it for decades—cannot be a reliable partner.”
The words landed like a bombshell. Rebecca’s jaw dropped. « Mr. Harris, please—this is a three-billion-dollar deal. Surely we can find some common ground… »
But Daniel stood up. « There’s nothing to settle. Business isn’t about numbers. It’s about values. And today, you’ve shown me what kind of leader you are. »
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