The Oligarch's Daughter

Content Warning: This section of the guide includes discussion of death and substance use.

“Was it the traffic cam? Derryfield had recently installed its first traffic camera. Maybe an image of his face got out. Maybe that was how he’d been discovered after so long, after he’d been so careful.”

Paul is living under his assumed identity of Grant, and he is characterized by the extreme caution he has taken to keep his true identity a secret during the five years that he has been in hiding. This quote highlights the theme of Survival Against the Odds and highlights his intelligence, as he has chosen a small town where he can disappear and where surveillance technology—like traffic cameras—is almost nonexistent.

“Remember when I told you that I might have to leave suddenly one day? Well, this is the day.”

Paul’s past impacts his ability to have close, meaningful relationships. There is an emotional distance between him and Sarah; though he cares about Sarah, he keeps secrets from her. She is aware that something is amiss in their relationship and is unhappy because of it. At the same time, this quote also shows that Paul never lets his guard down and constantly expects to be discovered by his enemies. This is why he has prepared Sarah for the possibility that he might have to suddenly leave.

“Researching the pluses and minuses of the various companies Aquinnah Capital was thinking of investing in was one of Paul’s strengths.”

Paul enjoys working in finance, and he is a diligent employee who carefully researches potential investments. His painstaking research at Aquinnah foreshadows his eventual problems when he works for Arkady, where Paul’s caution and ethics become problematic in the unscrupulous environment.