Tiffany

STORY STATEMENT At all costs, no matter what, Lexi must earn a seven-figure payout at the hedge fund she now works for, show those bastards at Grenfell Johnstone, one of Wall Street's venerable firms, where they kicked her down the stairs like perfect gentlemen, they should never have let her go. HOOK LINE Picture The Wolf of Wall Street – in stilettos. 24-year-old Lexi, a quiet, reserved mathematical genius, has always done the right thing -- driven by principles of integrity, hard work and service, and Wall Street's venerable Grenfell Johnstone fired her anyway, after helping a colleague? Enter high-flying, charming Jake Garrett, chairman of a hot hedge fund -- an older man, his energy is electric, and when he offers her a job, telling her she's a star in the making, she signs on, determined to earn big money, with Jake, practically overnight, show them -- living well was always the best revenge. Determined, what Lexi hadn't counted on was the intensity of the energy and electricity between them -- but sleeping with her boss? She resists her urges, but it's too much, the tawdry affair begins when Lexi realizes Jake's more dangerous than she'd realized. He'd have her killed if he had to. Worse. She's falling in love with him, and now she must rise to the occasion, seduce and conquer him because one of them is going down, and it's not going to be her. ANTAGONISTS Tia Altherr: Frederick’s blueblood mother who intervened and stopped his marriage to Lexi because Lexi came from the wrong tax bracket, thus inciting Lexi’s core wound – a broken heart, feeling of inadequacy. Lexi wears her position at Wall Street's venerable Grenfell Johnstone like armor until ... Cynthia Miles: The HR director at Grenfell Johnstone sets Lexi up to lose her job – Cynthia’s not only jealous, but she's the minion of a much more powerful, hidden force. Jake Garrett: The charming, engaging Chairman of hot hedge fund Arlington Capital who signs Lexi on as one of his stars, grooming and mentoring her; and it's all tied up in this sexual energy -- she can't resist, and Jake’s so dangerously deceptive that Lexi (along with the reader) doesn’t figure out she’s been set up until it’s too late; worse -- she's fallen in love with him, and now she must seduce and conquer him because one of them is going down, and it's not going to be her. Eylana Petrov: Jake’s irascible and irrationally hostile Russian COO who sees Lexi as a romantic rival for Jake’s affection, does everything she can to try and run Lexi off. Glen Rourke: Lexi’s office mate at Arlington, and Jake’s charge – he pretends to be Lexi’s friend, helps her with the Russian while covertly doing Jake’s bidding to “keep an eye” on Lexi, etc. BREAKOUT TITLE BIGGER FISH GENRE (commercial women’s fiction) PRIMARY CONFLICT She must seduce and conquer her boss, a man she's fallen in love with, because he's set her up to the a hit, and one of them is going down, and it's not going to be her. SECONDARY CONFLICTS (1) Living well is the best revenge, she'll show her ex-fiancé’s family that she’s good, and those bastards at Grenfell Johnstone they should never have fired her; (2) Her battle with the volatile Russian at Arlington who relentlessly tries to run Lexi off at every turn; (3) Her fights with her best friend, Chloe, over Lexi’s new Arlington "attitude." Meanwhile Chloe has no idea Lexi's actually sleeping with Jake (of course not!), but Chloe know's somethings up with her friend, and won't stop until she gets to the bottom of it, which exacerbates the conflict between them; (4) The conflict over Arlington’s accounting ledger – of course they’re typos! (6) The conflict over her colleague's suicide – Mason Peterson who dove from a window because he missed a sales quota at majorly competitive, pressure cooker Arlington Capital. Lexi doesn't buy it entirely, and scopes around a bit, but when she gets more and more drawn in by Jake, the the truth somehow seems less important, though there's that constant nagging, threatening to shatter her illusions to pieces --- conflicts abound -- BIGGER FISH is full of them, on every single page. INNER CONFLICTS As she charges forward in her plan to make all of this money to "show them," not all of it aligns with her moral compass (her sleeping with her boss aside); other internal conflicts involve her propensity toward reimagining things as she wants them to be, and not the way they are – she’s conflicted because what she's doing now goes against everything she stands for, but clings to the most convenient narratives, those that serve her desires and her current mission, thereby undermining her ability or willingness to face the truth, to her peril, which leads, of course to the ultimate battle -- she now has to conquer Jake, or she's going down. COMPS THE DOLLHOUSE by Fiona Davis, a debut novel about the far-reaching consequence of a seemingly innocent tip toe into the fray; STONE COLD FOX by Rachel Koller Croft, a debut novel about an enterprising young woman set out for all she deserves, to avenge herself; Also, as in MOLLY’S GAME Lexi regains her power running the world’s most exclusive hedge fund (instead of poker game). SETTING BIGGER FISH is set in 2019 on New York City’s Upper East Side, with scenes in the Hamptons and in London.

apprx. 500 words from Chapter 1: reveals protagonist; core wound -- she doesn't feel like she's good enough -- she did all the right things, guided by principles of integrity, hard work and service, and those bastards fired her, and now the antagonist (who looks like a good guy)) is coming in to throw her a lifeline, she's electrified by him, and he's the one she has to conquer -- or else. The attendant scanned the card, smiling as though he had been expecting her, handed her a pass, and said, “Guest of Mr. Garrett, I see.” He sounded impressed, pointed diagonally across the lobby to the elevator banks. “On the right, top floor.” “Thanks.” She took the pass from him, hoisted her bag over her shoulder, headed to the elevators. Ding – the doors opened onto the penthouse floor facing an enormous, mahogany double door. On it, a brass plate, understated, but polished to a gleam, read Arlington Capital. She smoothed her skirt, rang the bell. No response. She tapped the door, gently pushed it open. The reception desk empty, she peered into a vacant conference room on the right. Slowly, she walked back across to the other side of the room, down a hallway. At its end, a few feet down, was another large, mahogany double door, on its brass plate etched: Jake Albert Garrett Chairman She inhaled deeply, gave it a knock. The door swung open almost instantly, and out stepped Jake Garrett, unmistakable from photos in Forbes and Vanity Fair. Handsome and slim, sporting a gentle smile and slightly tousled grey hair. Lexi was surprised he didn’t look at all the Wall Street stereotype. Where Sky Grenfell wore a navy suit with a crisply starched shirt and a perfectly knotted tie, Garrett’s collar lay unbuttoned, revealing a sliver of deeply tanned chest. His suit appeared to be just as expensive, however, and a pouf of yellow silk spilled casually from his vest pocket. He greeted her warmly. “Good morning, Ms. Blake.” And before she could utter a word, he extended his hand, folded hers into his, and shook firmly. “Jake Garrett. Pleasure meeting you.” The speech she’d prepared went out the window as Lexi blurted, “Oh, Mr. Garrett, I didn’t mean to interrupt you—I was looking for a receptionist but—” He cut her off with a grin. “Oh, we’re pretty informal here. We don’t need receptionists,” he chuckled, as if the concept of a “receptionist” was as antique as a Victrola. “Your coat,” he said as he helped her out of it, then hung it behind a mahogany door before waving her in. Lexi took her time, awed by the unobstructed views of Central Park, two bridges, and the entire East River through the windows that swept around three walls. “Lovely, isn’t it?” Caught gawking, Lexi felt heat at the back of her neck. Afraid of making another awkward remark, she gave him a polite nod. Just then she noticed a splash of red across the room and turned her attention to the seating area beyond his desk. There she saw an armchair upholstered in a vibrant, Scalamandre silk print that contrasted with the minimalist, geometric chrome and glass table beside it. “All Pam,” Garrett grinned. Unsure what, if anything, to say, Lexi smiled, followed his gaze to the tabletop. On it was a large, silver framed photo of a handsome older woman. Her hair, a deep, burgundy red, was styled in a medium length bob cut with a perfect center part. She was wearing a ball gown. The expression on her face was soft; her smile, infectious. “My wife, Pamala.” He paused for a moment. His eyes affixed steadily, intently on the photo, in a hushed tone he said, “Exquisite taste.” “Lovely, Mr. Garrett,” said Lexi. “Please, call me Jake.” “Yes, sir. I mean —" “You’re fine,” he said, as though sensing her nervousness. Not that Lexi was nervous, exactly. More like starstruck: she had hardly ever been this close to a man with this much charisma. Jake held his hands to his chest, took a long, deep breath. “Ms. Blake—may I call you Alexandra?—you can relax! We’re glad you’re here.” He moved toward his desk and motioned her to the chair facing it. And as Lexi sat, she did relax, a little. “Actually, my friends call me Lexi,” she said with a shy smile. “Lexi?” He smiled back. “Even better.” Lexi scanned the seating area and blinked, surprised to find perched upon a small sofa cater-cornered to the red silk-upholstered armchair, a woman, broad-shouldered, with red hair similar to the woman in the photo, but a bit longer, pulled back in a loose chignon. Lexi felt herself blush, and said to the woman, “Mrs. Garrett. I didn’t—” “You’re too kind.” The woman raised her hand in an imperious gesture; she had a foreign accent Lexi couldn’t place. Her lips, plumped and overfilled, were covered in a thick crimson coat. The woman touched the collar of her dress and grinned, flashing stark, white veneers, and in that moment, Lexi realized this was not at all the woman in the photo. Jake chuckled again seeing Lexi’s double-take. He nodded to each woman in turn. “Lexi Blake, meet Eylana Petrov, Arlington Capital’s Director of Operations.” He paused, glancing toward Eylana, then back at Lexi. “We were just reviewing headcount.” Lexi felt she should stand and shake the other woman’s hand, but before she could rise, she felt Eylana’s eyes fixing her in place like spears. They scanned Lexi’s body – from the top her head, to the tips of her toes, then back again, as if she were a specimen in a lab. This was something she had felt before. It was a basic pettiness between women, Lexi recognized, an unspoken, territorial jealousy. Almost like a dog whistle. Though undetectable to men, Lexi heard it loud and clear. But the instant their eyes connected, Eylana said in a warm, genuine sounding tone, “Lovely meeting you, Ms. Blake.” Embarrassed by her defensive reaction (am I just being paranoid?) Lexi smiled politely, said, “Likewise.” And, as Lexi situated herself Jake placed both hands on his desk’s top, and said to her, “It’s an honor to finally meet this fantastic young woman I’ve heard so much about.” He paused, looked straight into her eyes. “Glen Rourke has been with me since the beginning, you know.” Lexi nodded, but said nothing. “I really trust him, especially with important firm matters such as recruiting, and he’s said wonderful things about you.” Lexi was a bit confused. She didn’t really know Glen, nor why he would have told Jake anything about her. Jake held out a hand, raised an eyebrow as if he’d passed a baton and it were now Lexi’s turn to speak. Still recovering from her Pamala Garrett-Eylana Petrov faux pas, Lexi held Jake’s gaze a moment longer, then to keep it safe said, “Thank you sir…Jake.” “You’re with Grenfell Johnstone,” he said, almost as if he’d sensed her discomfort, and wanted to gently give her an opening. This man didn’t seem too “sharp-elbowed,” Lexi thought. He’d put her so at ease, for a moment she near forgot: no one outside Grenfell Johnstone knew her job was hanging by a thread. “I hear your fund at Grenfell ranked number three with the Global Investment Alliance for 2018, is that right?” “Yes. Out of over three hundred constituents,” said Lexi with pride she couldn’t completely keep out of her voice. “And you’re off to a good start this year?” “I can’t say it’s just me, of course. It’s the team, Grenfell’s investment team.” Stop. Pause. “Everyone at the firm, really ... we each have a role. But yes, we’re ahead of our numbers for last year.” Finally feeling more comfortable, she launched into the monologue she’d practiced in front of her mirror, starting with the virtues of the team, going on to the principles upon which the fine firm of Grenfell Johnstone had been founded. At some point she saw Jake and Eylana looking at each other as if they were losing interest. Lexi paused. Jake spoke, his tone just a bit sharper than it had been before. “That Ivy League team spirit sounds good, but it just so happens that the Partners’ Fund that I manage for us, here at Arlington, has returns that surpass anything at Grenfell.” Lexi raised her eyebrows, surprised. As the conversation paused, Eylana stood, walked slowly toward Jake’s desk, and stopped before Lexi. “It’s the best kept secret on the Street, Jake,” she said with a coy wink. (The accent had to be Russian, Lexi concluded. But she couldn’t tell if Eylana was trying to impress her, or sucking up to Jake.) It was said all over town that Jake’s returns were stellar. But a match for Grenfell’s? Lexi had no idea. “Lexi, let me tell you this right up front. We do things a little differently here at Arlington. We’re not part of that old-school-tie club, like your boss Sky Grenfell and his buddies playing bridge at the Harvard Club.” Lexi fidgeted, hoping Jake was not aware that she was a member of the same place. “You probably saw the article about us last year in the Journal, where they talked about our ‘buccaneering style.’ They made us sound like a bunch of thugs. ‘Cowboys in Paul Stuart,’” He snorted. “I haven’t worn Paul Stuart in fifteen years! I have a tailor on Savile Row.” Lexi wasn’t sure how to respond. She was a little taken aback by Jake’s vehemence, but at the same time, it was a refreshing change from Sky Grenfell’s patrician elder-statesman act, where he kicked you down the stairs like a perfect gentleman. “Mr.—I mean Jake,” she said, “I’ve only heard positive things about Arlington. It sounds like an exciting place to work.” “You bet it is.” He looked at Lexi appraisingly. “You’re a vice president now, correct?” Lexi nodded yes. “You’ve been there how many years?” “Almost three and a half.” Jake shot Lexi a dubious look. “Your first Wall Street job?” “Yes.” “I would imagine this culture of theirs is well engrained in you then,” said Jake. “We operate in more of an… entrepreneurial environment here, and it would be quite different from what you’re used to.” “I understand that --” Lexi started. “I’m not sure you do. Arlington is a meritocracy. This place is not about Ivy League, ‘team spirit.’ It’s about, what can you produce? We have a good group here, and we work hard and play hard—Eylana will tell you that. But as much as I enjoy everyone in this firm, Lexi—I’m not here to make friends. You don’t get promoted for good sportsmanship at the company croquet outing.” Whew, Lexi thought. The vibe here really was different. For all his charm, Jake was obviously intense—and intimidating. Was she ready for this? Then she realized, what did she have to lose? For all the prestige and refinement at Grenfell, they were hanging her out to dry without a second thought. The hell with it. She would take her shot. “Jake, when it comes to producing, I would point to my record. The fund I help manage at Grenfell has annualized returns that have doubled since I’ve been there, and with fewer team members, resulting in a near fourfold increase in profit – actual cash dollars. Yes, it was a team effort but I did most of the work. By the way,” she added wryly, “I did go to Harvard, which you know from my resume, but I don’t know how to play croquet. Or bridge.” Jake raised his eyebrows at this comeback, a hint of a smile at the corner of his mouth. He looked at Eylana. “Our girl is a little feisty! I like it.” He turned back to Lexi. “We always like to see confidence at Arlington. Having that is half the battle.” His tone shifted again, became more cordial and a bit professorial. “The other half is actually having the skills. So walk us through what makes you so good. How did you choose the investments you made at Grenfell?” This time she was ready. Lexi knew she was good at her job and she had no trouble explaining why. “It all starts with analysis. Some people look purely at a few numbers like P/E and return on equity or debt to equity. I found that the most important numbers might be different, depending upon which industry you’re in. With media companies, for example, free cash flow is a much better measure of financial productivity than return on equity. So, where some might see a media stock with both a low P/E and ROE and jump to conclude that the stock’s cheap for a reason, I delve deeper. It’s in those instances, in fact, where the Street has missed it by using the wrong metrics that I benefit most.” Jake nodded. “Go on.” She continued, ticking off points on her fingers, crisp and succinct, her assurance growing with his obvious interest. But she knew a good presentation was a short one, so she wrapped up after a minute or two. “…so I create a unique matrix of data points for each industry and analyze the companies, then make portfolio investments in that context. That’s my approach, as briefly as I can describe it.” For a moment there was silence as Jake looked at her. “Sounds like it has been highly effective. Very impressive.” Jake’s voice was relaxed, reassuring. But his gaze was still intense. It sent a tingle from the tips of Lexi’s fingertips through the nerve endings in her scalp. “Yes, it has.” Lexi could feel a smile spread across her face, a warm glow of validation inside her. It was as if Jake saw down into her core, appreciating her the way nobody at Grenfell Johnstone ever had. Jake went on. “You said you’ve been at Grenfell over three years? What was your salary and bonus last year?” When she told him, he made a disparaging pff sound. “Think of how many years you’ve wasted, not earning what you were worth. Your base pay here would be fifty percent higher. And if you deliver what I think you can, your bonus would be over triple. It’s about time you moved on, don’t you think?” Lexi raised a hand to her chest, rolled one of her pearls between her thumb and forefinger. “Are you… offering me a job?” “A promotion,” replied Jake. “Senior vice president.” Lexi’s eyebrows rose. The deep, purple hibiscus on her balcony had been a sign, she thought. Jake grinned, continued. “An opportunity to not only help manage one of the fastest growing, hottest investment funds on two continents, but a chance to get out there, help market it…” He spoke about when he first started the firm both in New York and in London. Its five, ten-year plan. He is selling me, she realized. This was not what I expected. “Here’s the real question for you, Lexi. Are you on board with the star system?” “Yes,” she replied. “Good,” said Jake. “Because I can tell, you’re going to be a star.” Slowly he stood, walked toward the door, motioning for Lexi to follow. “Give it some thought—but not too much,” he grinned. “We like quick decisions here. Can you get back to me tomorrow?” “Yes, sir,” said Lexi, excited. “Will you need references from Grenfell?” “Glen Rourke is all the reference I need,” said Jake. He took her coat from the closet, helped her into it, offered another handshake. He held this one a half-second longer than he had when she arrived. Lexi glanced at Eylana, who was still standing by Jake’s desk. For an instant she thought she caught a scowl on the Russian’s face, but now Eylana was smiling and nodding in her direction. “Look forward to seeing more of you, Ms. Blake.” * * * With her head held high, Lexi walked through the corridor. The meeting had been a roller-coaster, but she could feel proud of how she handled it, with grace and aplomb. Standing before the elevator, Lexi firmly pressed the button. She was equally impressed with Jake—he was testing her with the macho talk, she knew, but he had managed to coax out her best self, brought her out of her shell. This “buccaneering” firm could be the place where her career would set sail. And, in that instant, for the first time in over three years, Lexi knew she could do, or be, or have, anything she’d wanted.

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