Handler XX: Stock Maestro

He cleared his throat before accepting the call,

"Hello, Sir"

"Hey" Morlov ignored his greeting,

"Come to the Manor" he added, hanging up.

What sort of attitude was that?

Was he pissed about the deal?

Fuck it.

He turned the car on...

Guess we'll know what's up when we get there.

This seemed to be a bigger deal than he'd thought.

Suddenly getting $100 million wasn't the problem— if anything, the hype it would create would make a good environment for Reeves Tech launch.

The problem would be the media.

How the fuck do I control that rowdy bunch?

______

He nodded at the security at the door, as they opened it.

There seemed to be another car parked outside— was that one of Morlov's or the investor for the laundering?

"What's she doing?" He muttered as Scarlet's phone came back unavailable as he dialed.

"Mr. Ackerman" a voice called out from the end of the hallway— one of the securities.

"He'll see you at the study"

Alright.

Here goes.

"Lead the way" he smiled, glancing at the other guards.

How could he mask the fact that he was definitely involved in something illegal with this many guards.

As he drew closer to the study, he heard laughters— up to three people.

"He's here, Sir" the security that led him, spoke from outside without opening the door.

"Come in" Morlov's voice cut through sharply.

"You've been very busy lately" he turned to Trent as he walked in,

"My apologies for calling you in so urgently— I just had to introduce myself very fine Son-in-law to a couple of friends"

Really?

Trent scanned the room, smiling to the lady that stared at him.

The other Man seemed to be too busy with his pipe to acknowledge Trent's entrance.

"It's nice to meet you all" Trent bowed slightly.

"I'm Trent Ackerman— honored Son-in-law"

"And genius stock trader" Morlov burst into laughter, stretching his hand to a seat for him.

"This is---"

"Yvaine Dumroe" the lady cut in, introducing herself.

"Heiress to the Dumroe Empire— a conglomerate in the Construction sector" Morlov praised,

"And this is Caleb Fasso" he turned to the other man who dropped his pipe.

"Son---"

"Heir" Caleb cut in, glaring at Morlov.

"Yeah..." Morlov exhaled, gritting his teeth, "Heir to the Fasso Empire— a family of Spice and Jewels from the east"

Hmmm.

That doesn't seem friendly.

Interesting.

But... Why was she staring at me so much?

He cleared his throat, shifting his gaze from her.

"It's nice to meet the Heirs to such great Dynasties"

Caleb huffed

"It's nice to meet you too, Mr. Trent. I've heard a lot about you" Yvaine responded— eyes gleaming with excitement,

"Congratulations on the deal you just made— it's all over the news and---"

Woah. A chatty one, huh?

Caleb coughed, interrupting.

He turned his face away as Yvaine shot him a glare.

"Are you sure he's candidate material?" He asked, staring at Morlov.

Candidate?

For what?

"Of course" Morlov forced a smile,

"He's made over $1 billion in less than 6 months— isn't that worthy?"

Worthy?

A social gathering?

"You seem confused" Morlov mused turning to Trent.

"I called you here to meet my honorable friends— People with connections in various areas who you'd be pleased to know" he continued, glancing at them.

"Our group has been in existence for over a hundred years" Yvaine cut in

"A cult?" Trent blurted out without realizing.

She burst into laughter as Morlov and Caleb stared at him

"You've got a cute side" she mused.

"We're a group that was formed by different households over a hundred years ago as a social gathering of friends— elite group— we protect your interests and you protect ours"

Oh?

"Scratch my back, I scratch yours" Trent muttered, raising a brow.

"Exactly" Morlov cut in, leaning forward.

"We do have traditions and a strict worship of the star, Sirius— the bright star of the night" she chuckled, showing him her ring.

A star shaped structure on the top with an obsidian engraved in the middle.

"It's beautiful" he forced a smile,

"Yeah— you could have one too" she chuckled.

"So... I qualify to become a member of this great gathering?" He asked, turning to Morlov.

"Yeah— after registration and all, you'd be a member of our group---"

"Our group" Caleb scoffed,

"I can't believe a member of less than 20 years calls it so" he muttered— enough for them to hear.

Trent glanced at Morlov.

Gosh. He looked so pissed.

Hiding it with the fake smile didn't help much.

Yvaine tuned to Caleb and laughed— dry and cold. He seemed to fear her more.

Was she the biggest bird in this group?

"You're more than qualified, Trent" she turned to him, leaning her back against the chair.

Dropping the formality all of a sudden?

The air seemed to have changed around her.

How intriguing.

I'd expected an invite sooner or later but this was a bit sudden. If this was one of the groups Seren said in that video...

"What do I have to do?" He asked her, smiling.

"Usually..." She replied with a grin on her face, "it starts with paying a membership fee. But if you accept, I'll sort that out for you"

A membership?

Expected... But still surprising.

"How much is the fee?"

"10 million" she chuckled, pulling herself forward,

"That's for the Brokies" Caleb muttered.

Why was he being so resistant against me?

"What about non-brokies?"

"1 billion for a lifetime and you get a seat at the upper table" She giggled, raising a finger.

What?

"Look at his face" Caleb mocked,

"How will you get that?"

"New mission initializing..." Ave cut in immediately before he could talk,

"Sign-in San Gerta Royal— time limit: 10 hours"

What kind---

"Trent?" Morlov called out louder snapping him out of his thoughts.

"Yeah..." He jolted, turning to Morlov.

"Of course he's shocked by the amount" Caleb mocked again

"You don't have to pay the lifetime fee— I started with the 10 million— there's limitations but it's alright..."

"Limitations?" He turned to Yvaine,

"You can't pay the lifetime amount once you pay 10million. And you can never get the benefits of the lifetime bonus" she chuckled, glancing at Morlov.

I guess that's why he's treated as inferior.

"What are the benefits of the lifetime?"

He caught Morlov's expression stiffen when he asked,

"You don't have---"

"There's tons— a vast network..." She paused, "and power..." she mused, winking at him.

"You should go play your stocks and keep the billion you already have" Caleb chuckled, fiddling with his pipe.

What a nasty behavior...

"Can I get back to you about this?" Trent exhaled,

"I'll contact---"

"Of course" Yvaine interrupted Morlov, excitedly, "I'll walk you off"

"There's no need to---" Morlov stood up anxiously,

"I said I will..." she glared at him, eyes trailing as he sat back down.

"Alright..."

There's gotta be a vast levels to this shit.

Morlov— in all his pride, hiding back like a beaten dog to a lady younger than Marie.

Damn...

Trent stood up and bowed to Morlov before walking off.

________

"I've wanted to meet you for a while now" she glanced at him as they walked through the hallway.

She'd sent the guard that was following them away.

No wonder they were so many.

"I wonder how I caught your attention" he chuckled, turning to her.

"You're a bright light, Trent" She giggled, "A light that will shine greater under Sirius"

"It's an honor" he bowed, slightly, just as if he meant it.

"San Greta Royal" she mused, tapping his shoulder as she turned around.

"There's an excellent show tonight by 8. I'll meet you at the entrance"

That's in less than 7 hours.

Nice.

"I'll see you there" he chuckled,

"Thank you"

"Let Sirius guide your path" she muttered softly, walking off.

"You too"

Let's see where this path leads us all.

_______

"Sir..." Xander called out as he knocked on the door.

"Come in" Trent answered, sluggishly

He'd been thinking about the whole meeting and Seren's video message.

A star and that ring— that was definitely the Lumina— true to what Yvaine said... They were definitely powerful.

Many politicians and business tycoons were part of the group.

Seren didn't give full details about the group but this was one he looked excited talking about so it's difficult to forget.

Was he also a member?

There's no way he'd die how he did if he was a valued member.

"What did you find?" He raised his head up,

Someone had posted fake news about Reeves Technologies and it was blowing up online.

"It was done by a competition— Salt Laboratories..." Xander exhaled, dropping a paper.

"I had Musk trace the source of the whole thing and linked everyone involved"

"Good" he picked the paper.

"Take care of this— make sure they suffer" he ordered, scanning through the paper.

"Nobody touches my property"

Xander looked at him as he read through the paper.

"I've dropped your attire and the mask for the opera, Sir"

"Alright..." He chuckled, dropping the paper.

San Gerta Royal turned out to be the biggest Opera house in the City.

The event?

A masked ball.

Interesting.

He glanced at the digital clock on the table. 7:30pm

Marie said they'd be home late when he called her on his way back.

"Be on standby in case I call" he glanced at Xander as he stood up.

"Yes, Sir"

Time to meet our little Heiress.