Handler XX: Stock Maestro

"Hello, Trent. Are you still in Kraven?" Morlov's voice cut through as he answered.

"Mr. Morlov!" Trent raised his voice, looking at Marie,

"Father-in-law... I plan to leave today. What's up?"

"It's... can you leave tomorrow? I need to see you."

"I'm afraid it won't be possible. I have a meeting with the President tomorrow. Is there any type of problem?"

Morlov stayed silent for a few seconds, "...Did you hear about---"

"The Emperor's death? It's trending right now. It's such a shock since I saw him give a speech last night."

"I saw the pictures... You were invited to the Astralis Festival in the Palace."

"Weren't you?" Trent asked, feigning surprise, "I could've swore I saw someone like you."

"I... had some other place to be." Morlov muttered

Heh... Indeed.

"I apologize that I won't be able to help. You can call Yvaine if it's a big issue, I'm sure---"

"There's no need to trouble her. And I wanted to discuss business with you. Congratulations on your company's listing."

Now he says congratulations?

Should I end this now?

"Thank you... I also heard about your recent move. It's a big one," he chuckled, "I'll come back to visit you soon."

"...Alright."

"Marie says---" he stopped and looked at the phone's screen. He doesn't even bother to ask about his daughter before hanging up?

"There's trouble in Morlov's paradise." He chuckled, looking at Marie.

"What does he want?" She huffed

"A lot of Kraven businesses must have taken a hit with the recent news— His included."

"Their stock prices have tanked by a lot and will continue dropping until a new Emperor ascends the throne." Xander cut in

The real players most probably aren't affected. Dumroe and Cara wouldn't agree if they felt it'd be a loss

"Imagine such a successful young man like you ascending it," Theo scoffed,

"They'll recover with a boom."

"It will involve a lot of dirty work." Trent scoffed, looking at Diana

"Get ready to leave with us, Diana. I'll have everything arranged"

"What about my family?" She asked

"You don't have to worry about them. They'll---"

"They'll just replace me with my Brother." She muttered, lowering her head.

Trent exhaled and turned to Theo,

"What's up with Tyson?"

"He's headed back to Westeron with the team. I told him to check on Mia when he gets back."

"Have him prepare two female security for Diana so that she's safe when she goes out. No offense, Mila."

"None taken. It'll be good that way. I---"

"Mila can cook." Diana interrupted her, "She's the best chef I've---"

"I don't mean to drop Mila." Trent chuckled,

"It's just measures for extra security. Mila can help Mia if she wants to."

Mia probably already hired staffs so it shouldn't be a problem.

I transferred fifty million dollars to her foundation yesterday.

I've been too busy to do it since.

"It's weird that I already miss that bed," Scarlet chuckled, looking at Xander.

"Guess it's become home."

"We should talk about that stuff, Xander." Trent interrupted their flirting.

Marie looked at him and laughed softly. Jealous?

_____

"He seemed scared." Trent chuckled as they walked towards the Receptionist.

"He probably wants an extraction since his lifeline just disappeared." Xander smiled at the staff that walked past them.

What a magnificent place. The capital does really offer all the luxury.

Not as much as Grand Crest, but not bad.

"We're here for Mr. Curry. I don't know if he mentioned but---"

"You're the guests?" The receptionist cut in, interrupting Trent.

"He said to come up to the tenth floor. Room three."

"Thank you..." he mused, looking at Xander.

Xander had found that the drive Ornand Curry gave was bugged. This cites two things— he's been playing double agent and the information most likely isn't true.

"It's nice and quiet," Xander said as they stepped out of the elevator.

Trent's hand hovered at his waist—Xander claimed there was no danger, but just in case.

They exchanged a glance before Xander knocked.

"Thank the stars." Ornand Curry opened the door halfway, looking through,

"Come in."

"I was surprised when you asked to meet, Ornand," Trent said with a smile as he entered.

"I called to offer my condolences to your fiancée, the Princess. How is she holding up?"

"Uh..."

They turned at the sound of the voice.

"H–Hi…" the young lady greeted.

"You must be the Princess," Trent chuckled, stepping forward towards her.

Ornand stepped in front of him, blocking the way. "Get back inside, El. I'll handle this."

"You must be going through a hard time," Trent said, smiling at the Princess before nodding at Xander and heading toward a chair.

"I need to be deployed from this place. Back to Westeron." Ornand said, looking at them.

"You have a career here, Ornand. It'll be difficult to---"

"I don't care."

Xander looked at Trent.

Deployed?

"Before that," Trent chuckled, turning to Xander, "This is why I brought you along, instead of Theo."

"What do you---"

"Mr. Ornand Curry here, works for the same organization with me. I take it you haven't checked about me."

"I haven't. I wanted this to roll out naturally."

"And it has." Trent nodded, "Meet Ornand Curry, Agent for the Handler's program. My colleague."

"What the fuck are you doing?" Ornand cut in,

Trent raised a finger and tilted his head.

"Watch your tone, Mr. Curry. The fact that the pretty Princess isn't surprised by what I just said means she knows."

"I had---"

"You had to tell them when you betrayed us. All's fair in love."

Trent pulled out his gun as Ornand jumped back.

"Don't try anything stupid, Curry," He leveled it at the Princess,

"I do not want to see blood."

Xander stared at Trent, stunned.

Was this the Boss that always seemed so calm?

The Umber incident made me realize he wasn't. But this...

"I–I didn't mean---"

"That's what every traitor says, Curry. You need to be creative."

"D–Don't kill her." Ornand raised his hand, glancing at the Princess.

"I don't work for---"

"You worked for the Emperor. Now you need to dip before it gets too complicated, don't you?"

"We can't keep staying here..." The Princess cut in before Ornand could talk, walking forward.

"What should I call you, Princess?"

"Elise."

"Thank you. You don't have to be scared, tell me what's happened. No one else should've known that you worked for the Emperor, Curry."

"I–I slipped and told my Brother." Elise muttered,

Trent stared at them for a while.

How useless.

"You do know that you will be punished when you return to Westeron, right?"

"W–We---"

"I don't care." Ornand cut in, blocking Elise.

"That's two things you've not cared about in the past ten minutes. Enlighten me, what do you care about?"

"Her." Ornand glanced at Elise,

"That's all I care about."

Xander glanced at Trent as he pulled his phone when a notification buzzed.

What will he do?

SPARE HIM. HE'S DONE A GOOD JOB WORKING FOR ME. HE REALLY CARES ABOUT THAT SCATTERBRAINED GRANDDAUGHTER OF MINE.

"Your love story is really touching, I admit." Trent raised his head, chuckling as he lowered the gun.

"Who am I to say no?"

"W–Wait... You'll---"

"I'll even throw in a bonus." He cut in, interrupting Elise.

"I won't report this."

Ornand and Elise looked at each other.

"W–What do you want in---"

"I'm glad you have some sense left." He mused,

"You'll run my Basketball team if I ever acquire one. And play some games with us when we go street balling anytime."

"That's..."

"I'll get you settled down in Westeron and in any team of your choice."

Xander let out a low whistle.

What a shift— from acting ruthless one moment to this almost immediately.

"What do you say?"

"T–Thank you." They muttered, bowing their heads.

"Good. Pack your things, we're leaving." Trent looked at Xander as he stood up.

"They're in luck." He chuckled,

"We have lots of seats in the chopper."

_____

"Hello, Rosa. I'm about to get into the helicopter---"

"I hear you've got a meeting arranged with the President tomorrow." She interrupted.

"Yes. I expected them to have cancelled because of the recent news but it seems they're pushing everything else aside."

"That's why I'm calling." Rosa exhaled,

"Have you heard from Montclair?"

"No." Trent froze mid-step.

"Is there a problem?"

"I thought he might've informed you. He must be busy sorting the issues of his business in Kraven. I think you're being targeted by---"

"You don't have to get involved."

She stayed silent for a while.

He must already know.

"Just be careful. You've made a lot of money in the past few days and gained the most from this news. That kind of attention stands out."

"I haven't even checked the stock prices," Trent said with a soft laugh.

"You haven't?" she asked, surprised.

"A few millions isn't enough to get me excited at---"

"You think they'll call you for a few millions?" She scoffed.

"This is a chance to tilt a balance. Try Billions..."