Chapter 10 Chapter nine

For two days Sarah hadn't come to sleep.Banksy or Dante.Scarpirato to hear anything.On the first day she was relatively relaxed, free to plunge into the life she knew.By the next day, she was getting impatient: Maybe the job had fallen into other hands.That's when she decided she needed to get the job, and desperately.On the third day, she deliberately pretended to be indifferent, almost convinced herself that it didn't matter whether she wanted the job or not, that task was really hard for her, Hugh.Banks had chosen this day to call. At 8:30 on Wednesday night, Sara had just come home from the gym and, to replenish her energy, bought a small packet of potato chips wrapped in newspaper from Johnny's Fisherman's in the Ultimate World Hotel.Sara grabbed the phone angrily, it was not easy for her oily fingers to hold the receiver firmly, hello?The voice was more cross-examination than inquiry.

Oh, please excuse me.Hugh said with a smile. I'm sorry, Hugh, Sara said, swallowing a handful of potato chips, the animals were eating and not to be disturbed. How do I know?How about I call back? No, don't worry.I'm done chewing. Oh, what a nuisance.Anyway, listen up.Scarpirato just called me again.If possible, he would like to see you tomorrow. Can you see him now?It was a thing that Sara laughed when she was about to pop a potato chip into her mouth.She tossed the fries into her mouth and chewed silently for a moment. Hugh said angrily, do you still want this job? Sarah ignored the question.Where did his interview go?

Besides you, he has already met with eight candidates, Xio replied patiently, he still has two people to meet. Another long pause. Sarah, do you even want this job?It looks like you're still a little undecided. Sarah snickered to herself.Let's see what Mr. Scarpirato has to say, shall we?Tell him, please, that I will meet him at his office tomorrow at half past six. Yes, ma'am. At 6:20 p.m. the next day, DanteScarpirato sat in his office with Matthew.Arnott and Simon.Wilson was talking about a candidate they had just interviewed, a twenty-nine-year-old American who was a close friend of Arnott's and the two had gone to Brown University together.

Well, I think he's pretty good.Arnott glanced at Scarpirato, and then looked away. He was a good trader, and he was very comfortable here.In the ensuing silence, he paused for a moment in embarrassment, then added in a weak tone: Well, I voted for him anyway. Scarpirato took a deep drag on his cigar and turned to face Arnott. That guy is an idiot, and you have such a fucking lack of vision sometimes. Arnott's face flushed instantly.Simon.Wilson stared at his shoes.Arnott lit a cigarette, held it between his forefinger and thumb, and pointed in the direction of Scarpirato, so who do you want?

Scarpirato exhales heavily. This is exactly what I want to discuss with you, if you can calm down for a while. A secretary appeared at the door and interrupted Arnott's answer. Sarah.Jason is already at the reception, do you want to bring her up? Yes, ask her to come up.But take her to my trading desk first.Tell her to wait there for a few minutes.I'll come out and pick her up when I'm ready. The secretary turned and went downstairs to the reception.A few minutes later she came up with Sara and set her up at Scarpirato's trading desk, about fifteen feet from his office. Sara was leaning sideways by the trading desk with the Evening Standard open in front of her. She looked like she was reading the paper, but she wanted to hear the conversation in Scarpirato's office.Only the faint sound of conversation could be heard faintly.So she had to give up and concentrate on reading the newspaper.It is meaningless to look for clues by observing the expressions and behaviors of the three people, because there are venetian blinds hanging on the glass walls and glass doors of the office, and only incomplete figures can be seen from the outside.

It is much clearer to look out from the office.Scarpirato watched Sarah through the venetian blinds as he sat inside talking to his colleagues.His ears were listening to them, but his eyes were on her.Arnott leaned lazily on the chair, raised his hands above his head and stretched, deliberately pretending to be indifferent.He lit another Marlboro. Can't we talk about it tomorrow? I would like to hear your opinion right now.Scarpirato kept his eyes on Sarah as he said this. Why?We have plenty of time.There is still one candidate to be interviewed, so there is no need to make a decision now.

Scarpirato still watched Sarah.He replied very calmly: Because I suggested giving her a job. Oh, hell, Dante.You know what she's going to be like.She's a snooty slut who hangs in and out, only doing work in between social appointments, and interfering with our work. Scarpirato looked away from Sarah and looked directly at Arnott. How much did you earn for us last year? Arnott looked embarrassed, why don't you take a look at this year?My profit has increased by one or two million, you know that. But you lost one or two million last year.By the way, last year Sarah.Jensen made six million for Finlays.None of us know her fame.She might hang in and out like you say, but she makes more in an hour than you do in a fucking week.Scarpirato smiled at Arnott, so you listen to my decision.McPherson left two weeks ago and we need a replacement.We could spend months scouting around the City and not find someone as good as her

Might as well be someone as good-looking as her, Arnott thought indignantly. Then I will excuse you now to go out and invite her in.Then you both leave. Arnott walked out with a sullen face, followed by the silent Simon.Wilson.Arnott smiled awkwardly at Sarah. He lets you in.He tilted his head towards the office, grabbed his shirt from his seat, and walked out.Wilson said hello and goodbye, and walked away slowly behind Arnott with a smile on his face. Scarpirato sat there with a cigar in his mouth.He looked intently at Sarah as she walked into the office, then gestured for her to sit down.She felt uncomfortable in the face of his blazing gaze.His mouth wrinkled slightly, revealing a faint smile.When Sarah looked back at him, there was a little contempt in her eyes, but it seemed to only intensify the smile.She wanted to reach for a cigarette from her handbag to avoid his eyes and cover her own eyes, but she was worried that she would expose herself too much, so she had to keep looking at him.They sat like this, silent, looking at each other, neither of them willing to speak first, or look away first.Finally, he leaned forward, and suddenly the blazing energy disappeared.When he spoke, he seemed to have put on a completely different guise: the future boss, with an official tone, aloof and serious.

Well Sarah, we all agree that you will be a great addition to the group.Sarah recalled the malicious expression on Arnott's face and almost laughed. Welcome to join Intercontinental Bank. He seemed to take it for granted that she would accept.He paused, expecting an expression of agreement on her face, and continued on by himself. I hope you can go to work in the trading floor as soon as possible. When can you start working? Sarah blinked sharply at this suggestion and looked away.He deliberately took his time when he spoke, pausing each word for emphasis.The terminology used was normal, but it came from his mouth and she studied his face carefully.Still with that faint smile, she felt that he was taunting her again.She looked into his eyes and smiled slowly at him.

I'm asking for a guaranteed £500,000 package for the first year so I start working on Monday. Scarpirato leaned toward her, staring at her through narrowed eyes. Half a million pounds?That's a little more than I thought. Accept or not accept at your own discretion. Well Sarah, but I want you to know what you're doing, it's raising your profile.Then you have to perform well. If I'm not good, you'll be proud of yourself, Sarah thought to herself.Scarpirato stood up, walked from behind the desk, and stopped by her chair.She stood up and looked at him.He was too close, uncomfortably close.She reached for her tote bag, then took a step back.He watched her as she prepared to leave.

There is only one problem.She asked as they walked out of the office, Matthew.Arnott doesn't seem to like me much.I find it hard to believe he would want me on this team. Scarpirato laughed, not to worry about him.He's an awkward jerk, but an inspired trader.He earned a lot of money for us.You know the kind of people who think they are entitled to talk nonsense Sarah smiled ruefully.Oh yes.I know this kind of person. Together they walked across the now silent, almost empty trading floor to the row of elevators.He stopped by the elevator and turned to face her. I will send you the application contract first thing tomorrow morning. Sara nodded: Please send someone to my apartment.I waited there and went to Finlays Bank after I got the contract. Scarpirato reached into the inside pocket of his jacket and pulled out a pen and a thin notepad.He turned to the end of the book.Sarah noticed that was the mailing address part.She gave him the address and watched him write it down.He put the notebook and pen back in his pocket, and smiled at her. See you on Monday then.he said. Well, see you on Monday. He looked at her curiously, as if something in her tone surprised him, and turned away.Sarah watched him through the maze of trading desks until he finally disappeared.The elevator came, and she took the elevator downstairs alone.The sweat on her back made her sick. She walked down Adore Lane to East Chip Road and stopped a taxi.She leaned back in her seat and lit a cigarette.She got the job.Two hours ago, she just wanted it.At this moment, she became puzzled, wondering what she was involved in. In the early morning of the next day, she stayed at home, waiting for someone from Intercontinental Bank to deliver the application contract by motorcycle.The two contracts were delivered at ten o'clock.She signed a contract and asked someone to bring it back, and kept the second copy for future reference.Then she grabbed the phone and dialed Anthony.Barrington.The secretary told her he was in a meeting.She left a message saying there was something urgent to tell.Ten minutes later, he called. President, thank you for your call.The good news is that I've got that job and start work on Monday. Well done Sarah.This is great news.That's right.congratulations!He paused for a while, acting like a play, and then pretended to be serious: But I hope you don't charge them too much.That's going to take a while, and we don't want to discredit you. They laughed together.Both of them knew that she would not let them lose money.She was afraid that she would be noticed before she had enough evidence.That is, if Scarpirato is proven guilty.Then, at best, she was sacked, and £35 million a year was worth going all out to protect. The president put down the phone and asked the secretary to pick up James.Bartrop's phone call.Seconds later, Bartrop grabbed the phone. governor. Bartrop, she's got that job. That's great.Everything started to go according to plan.He paused.Barrington could almost feel that the other party was thinking again. We should flesh that out a bit.Bartrop continued. Barrington frowned.Playing guessing again, enriching? Yes, in terms of money.Give her some money for expenses, ask for cash. expenditure?What kind of expenses? Oh how would I know?The crux of the problem is not here. Barrington waited for the so-called key. The point is to keep her on a leash.In fact, it is a small token of money.This is also the usual practice.It makes things seem more real.enable them to take it more seriously. yes i can understand.How much do you want? Well, a few thousand pounds. You have to know that for a girl like her, this is just a small number. That's all right.Didn't want to give her too much money, that would look suspicious.Just to show it symbolically.Let's pay.I'll have it delivered in half an hour.If possible, arrange to meet her.The sooner the money is given to her the better, and that sets the tone. no problem.I am waiting for your money.I'll arrange it. Sarah walked into Finlays Bank with excitement and tremors.It's time to resign, and it's best to end it as soon as possible.She passed her trading desk and walked straight into Jamie.Rawlinson's private office.Most bosses not only have their own space on the trading floor, but also have private offices.The trading floor cannot provide any concealment.They exchange internal information in low tones, so private offices are essential. Good morning, Jamie.Can I take ten minutes of your time? He tried his best to keep her; he tried his best to get in touch with Carter, but he couldn't. Carter left for Paris that day on business.Sara had made up her mind to go.Time to move to work.She returned to the trading desk and gathered up a few personal items that had been strewn about.She moves lightly because she's out of favor now, they don't need her anymore.She has become a competitor at this moment, and the trading business is highly sensitive and cannot tolerate her staying here for a long time.There are a few personal items they will send to her.She has long copied and transferred those things of commercial value.She picked up her handbag and was about to walk across the floor, David.Reed's voice kept her in her tracks. There is a call, Sarah.It's urgent, he won't say who it is. Sara cursed under her breath.All she wanted was to get out of the building as quickly as possible.She turned and walked to the trading desk where she used to work, grabbed the phone and connected to number one. Hello. Ah, it's Sarah.Glad to have found you.I'm Anthony. Sara frowned, making out the voice, but confused by the name. oh, it's you He interrupted her, yes, it was me.Sorry, not much time to talk.Could you stop by my office?In half an hour, okay? Well, no problem. goodbye.The phone hangs up. Sarah picked up her bag and walked across the floor, leaving Finlays Bank forever.She has an uncomfortable feeling.Saying goodbye to a bank you've worked for for four years won't be pleasant.Thinking of the uncertain future, she felt the discomfort she had felt before.And the strange phone call just now, the president was so eager to cover up his identity.This reminded her of an unpleasant past.She once had an affair with a married man.He never liked her calling his name when they talked on the phone, and he never announced himself.This evasiveness of his seemed to her a senseless paranoia.She resented him for it, thinking it was doubly dishonest.Three months later, she broke up with him, determined never to repeat the experience. She dispelled these memories, but she still felt unhappy in her heart.She walked out of the building and up Old Broad Street into the warm July sunshine.The Bank of England was only two minutes' walk from here, and she would have half an hour to kill.She wandered into Finsbury Square, wandering through the wooded park, trying to shake off her discomfort.Why did he call in such a hurry?Why did he want to see her?Has the whole thing been canceled? She felt a sudden rueful panic.She has quit her job at Finlays Bank.It was irreparable.If it wasn't for the president and the special role he gave her, she would never quit that job, nor would she agree to work in Intercontinental Bank.Maybe he changed his mind inexplicably.Maybe he thought she wasn't competent enough. She couldn't help feeling a pang of fear.Maybe he found something. She sat down on a bench in the park and fished a cigarette from her handbag.She lit a cigarette and puffed it up.She felt the nicotine surge through her body.She inhaled deeply, until nothing remained but the butt of the cigarette. Suddenly, she couldn't help laughing.How did she become a paranoid now?She stamped out the cigarette, stood up, cursed the hell under her breath, and turned back toward Threadneedle Street, toward the Bank of England. Oh Sarah.Thank you for coming here.Sorry for the urgent notification again.However, you did a great job.Very good. He reached into a desk drawer, took out an envelope, and pushed it across the desk toward her.She put it there and didn't take it. is for you.A little treat when starting work to pay for some expenses.I'm sure you'll come in handy. In fact, there is really no need, President. Come on, come on.You never know when you might need it.This is part of the action, please accept it. Sarah shrugged, reached for the envelope, and put it in the bag without opening it.She looked at the president sitting across from him, and saw him smiling kindly, like a father handing out pocket money.But Sara didn't feel that way. The president looked at his watch and stood up.He held out his hand to Sarah. Well, goodbye Sarah and good luck.You are now mostly on your own.Of course, you'll have my full support, but I'm mostly behind the scenes.People are there, but barely visible, for your sake, understand?It would be a little suspicious otherwise.Just call me if you need anything, okay? The hearty smile is still on the face, but the enthusiasm has faded.Sarah felt somewhat alienated, like being put into a cubicle.That's how it turned out.Well, she could see why.And she can do the same.She shook his hand, goodbye, President. She didn't look at what was in the envelope until she got home.When she got home, she sat at the desk, cut open the envelope with a knife, took it out, and looked at it. It was three thousand pounds.She put the note back in the envelope, locked it in a desk drawer, and spent the three thousand pounds.What's the use? Sara went into the bedroom, changed, and went for a run