"First you're some elite graduate back from overseas, now you're Oceanic International's chief securities analyst."
"Do you even know what those four words are worth?"
"The biggest financial firm on the planet. A janitor there makes more in a month than you earn in a year."
"You're a nanny who wipes up shit and piss—stop putting gold on your face and go perform in the arena."
Effie wore the same sneer. She snatched the business card, tore it in half, and flicked the pieces into the air.
"I've seen this trick a hundred times. You can't just print a few cards and expect people to fall for it."
"You've got a hard mouth, though. I'm worried Brutus alone won't be enough to break you."
"Dad, didn't you just bring back a few lions and tigers from Africa as gifts for the baby's one-month celebration? Why not let them out tonight and give everyone a real show?"
Eric's gaze dropped to the gold-embossed business card on the ground. The watermark caught the sunlight, sharp enough to make him squint.
He still nodded. His men dragged me into the arena.
Lions and tigers that hadn't eaten in days surged to their feet, throwing themselves at the bars, snarling.