CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND THREE - Echoes of Discontent: A Company's Crossroads

Ava felt her temper flare but kept her voice level. "I assure you, Mr. Steele, every minute of our trip was productive. You'll see that in the report." Derek opened his mouth to retort, but at that moment, Max entered the room, followed by the rest of the board members. The tension in the air was palpable as everyone took their seats. Max took his place at the head of the table, his usual confident smile in place. "Alright, everyone. Let's get started. First order of business: the Madrid deal." For the next hour, Ava and Max took turns presenting the outcomes of their trip, outlining the deals they'd secured and the partnerships they'd forged. Ava could see some board members nodding approvingly, while others, particularly Derek, remained stone-faced. As they concluded their presentation, Max leaned back in his chair. "Any questions?" Derek was the first to speak up. "Yes, actually. While the PR benefits of this trip are clear, I have some concerns about the financial implications