I reached into my bag and let the documents do the talking.
A diploma from a top university in Westbridge State. A doctorate in economics.
I also had an employment letter from Oceanic International naming me chief securities analyst—but that stayed in the bag. I wasn't about to drag professional business into this.
I held up the two credentials and looked Effie dead in the eye.
"Ms. Walker, I went to school in Westbridge State. Everyone knows what it takes to survive there."
"Six years I bled for a finance doctorate at one of the best institutions on the planet. I pull a seven-figure salary."
"Do you really think I'd take fifty thousand a month to look after a screaming infant around the clock while watching my back for men in the household with wandering hands?"
I said that last part on purpose—to make sure Effie understood exactly how little her nanny job was worth to me.
A man like Samuel Weiss, who lied as easily as he breathed? Only someone born rich and raised brainless would actually believe him.
Sure enough, Effie's eyes softened the moment she saw my two certificates.
Stupid as she was, even she had to understand what a Westbridge State doctorate was worth.