This year’s conference was a bit different from the previous ones. Usually, the scholarships were awarded only to postgraduate and doctoral students. But this year, four undergraduates, including Scarlet, had the honor of receiving scholarships too. As they were introduced to the audience by the master of ceremonies, the promotional video featuring all four of them played on a large screen behind.
At the end of the video, the provost stood up and walked up to the stage. A silver-haired old man, he rarely made speeches in front of the whole school. After adjusting the microphone, he started his speech.
“University of Irving is a highly inclusive, international university. We respect freedom of speech, and on our campus, we encourage healthy dialogue amongst parties who hold differing views on important matters facing our world today. We don’t,
“I was thinking… if they still have vacancies for waitresses at this restaurant, I want to apply for the job... The salary here seems like it would be quite high!”“What are you going to write on your résumé about your special skills and areas of expertise? Car racing? Smoking? Skipping school?”“I also got the Sandler Scholarship and the recommendation letter. Isn’t that good enough? Anyway, car racing is a cool skill.”“So you’re proud of it?” Francis put down his fork and was beginning to get angry. Scarlett immediately lowered her head to drink soup.“No racing from now on!” All of a sudden, Francis commanded her.Scarlett swallow
She had been surprised when John had presented her with the heels, but now it all made sense. After all, it was a wise choice. The low-key nude color and the suitable-length heel made it perfect for the office.“I really like these shoes, and they’re perfectly suitable for work too. Thanks so much!”Scarlett held the shoes in her arms. She was actually so moved by John’s gesture that she almost wanted to cry.“Good luck, Scarlett,” John said and then left for class.As a genuine straight-A student, Scarlett had already completed all the requirements for the Russian major. Not only that, but she had also completed all the required courses. She only needed to take a few more electives, and she would be ready to graduate. With that in min
Scarlett didn’t notice that it was already lunchtime and most of the staff had already left. Leah came over and tapped her table,“Let’s go for lunch! I’m hungry.”Scarlett was still immersed in the magazine; she was now gazing at a new Givenchy bag.“Where?”Leah pulled her up and said,“The office canteen. Come on, hurry up!”When they arrived at the canteen, Scarlett was surprised to see how grand it was. There was also a vast array of different kinds of foods worldwide: Chinese noodles and dumplings, Japanese sushi and ramen, Vietnamese pho, Mexican tacos, Spanish baked seafood with rice, German pork sausages… and th
“Make a good impression on them. It will surely be helpful for your job in the future!” She continued.Scarlett held her head high and flipped her hair. “Oh, don’t worry about me. I'm very good at that!”They soon arrived at the 68th floor, the center of power. High heels stepped on the soft carpet, and people coming and going looked both serious and proud. Scarlett was quite comfortable with life at the very bottom of society and suddenly felt a sense of inferiority here. After all, she was like a fish: she was flexible and could rapidly adapt to all kinds of water conditions.A tall woman in a gray suit stood in front of them, flipped through the folders, and said,“Send these to the reference center, please.”
Francis put down the pen and leaned back in his chair,“Yes, you’re right. I wish I could be so blessed to have a niece like you.”Scarlett nodded with a smile and was about to continue to brag. Francis stopped her in time and asked,“How are you doing this month?”“Great! The colleagues are amiable, and the canteen is terrific. But most importantly, the boss is the best!”“Scarlett!” Francis didn’t buy her adulation.“Honestly, there is nothing to complain about. Well, it would be better if I could go into the kitchen and see how the chef makes that sweet and sour fish!”
The weather was getting colder. Going to work had become an excruciating thing because of the freezing cold. People who lived in the city center were safe, but those who lived in distant suburban areas had to commute. Not only did they have to get up much earlier, but they also spent a whole lot of time stuck in terrible traffic jams. Scarlett was one of those pitiable suburban dwellers. Every morning when her roommates were still fast asleep, Scarlett had to get up, get ready, and then hit the road to get to work.Compared to the hardships she had faced during her childhood, this bitterness was no big deal for Scarlett. At least she was now spending only her own money, and she had already paid off all her debts to her aunt. She wished she could repudiate any connection with the extended Morris family. She wanted to change her last name to Cloud.Right then, Sc
He was worried that she had gotten herself into some trouble, so he asked, “I can lend you however much you ask for, but I need to know what you’re gonna do with the money.”Scarlett kept silent for a while. She then shook Chuck’s shoulders and said, “Can’t you just give me the money?”Chuck put on a serious face, “I take you as a serious friend, so I need to know the reason. I just wanna know you’re not in trouble.”“My brother got a recommendation to go to Cambridge for a doctoral degree.”Chuck was almost choked by a full mouth of whisky when he heard the word Cambridge. “What the fuck,”Scarlett didn’t c
Scarlett stole Chuck’s car key when she was in the private room.She was, after all, a genius racer, and speed was her specialty. Because of her eagerness to save her brother, her speed was crazier than ever before. She ran a lot of red lights, and even the traffic police cars were left far behind. All she knew was that Skyler was suffering, and she could not just sit there and wait for Francis to do something about it.Scarlett pulled over in a dimly lit street and picked up old Jim and two of his subordinates. “The gun?” Scarlett asked.Jim patted his waist. “It’s right here, baby.” Scarlett held the steering wheel tightly and shot out again.Jim sat in the passenger seat and asked, “You sure you wanna do this?”