Handler XX: Stock Maestro

"It wasn't the right time to kill him, Theo. I know you—"

"When will be the right time?" Theo turned to him, grip tightening on the wheel.

"I have a plan in motion. It gives us a high percentage of flushing house."

"Flushing house? What do you mean by—"

"The Sinclairs," Trent chuckled, turning his face forward,

"You can do anything to Vagus when I take care of them."

"...what beef do you have with the Sinclairs? I don't understand why—"

"I'm going to tell you a tragic story. A boy—"

"This is not the time to tell stories. Just tell me—"

"Eyes on the road." Trent cut in, pointing forwards.

"I'm still too young to die, Theo."

"And too young to be talking like an old Man." Theo scoffed looking forward.

"Just tell me what grudges you hold against the Sinclairs."

Trent looked at him and exhaled.

"As you already know, I work for an agency as—"

"A spy." Theo cut in,

"The stunt you and your wife pulled made that very clear."

"We're operatives." Trent leaned harder against the chair.

"And unlike other organizations, we are groomed from infancy to a mature age."

"So... Orphans. Does that mean Mr. Anton isn't—"

"He is my real father. Others on the other hand, are usually orphans." Trent nodded.

"Before me, my father was given to the program... Abandoned. Unwanted. Not as an orphan."

Theo turned his head slowly,

"The... Sinclairs?"

"Correct." Trent laughed softly,

"They've decided to come for me after abandoning my Father. I guess the family wants to receive me with open arms."

"They're after your wealth." Theo scoffed, "You've built enough fortune to no longer be ignored."

"That's why you have to take your job seriously now, Theo." Trent chuckled.

"And try to trust me when I say something."

"A descendant of Kravenberch and Sinclair... That's—"

"I am Ackerman." Trent cut in,

"It's who I have called myself. It's who I am."

"What about Mr. Anton? I reckon—"

"Call the Pilot— I can't stand the stench of the Capital anymore." Trent interrupted,

"Tell Marie I had to leave and greet the Reynolds for me."

_____

Trent reached for his phone as he stepped out of the helicopter. His eyes swept through the place— Mia was walking towards him.

"You can just send a maid, Mia." He chuckled, dialing the phone as he walked towards her.

He raised a finger and stopped mid-step as the call connected.

"Trent..." Kimberly's voice cut through. "I just spoke with the contractor I found. They've taken a lot at the place and are excited to work."

"Excellent." Trent chuckled

"I was just about to call you. Theo said you had to go back to Charis because—"

"An issue came up." He cut in,

"The Contractors— how long will it take them to erect a building at the centre of the Island?"

She stayed silent for a while,

"Depends on how grand you want it to be. I've sort everything out with Icarden and registered the place with the name, Reeves Island. The—"

"Like my current building." He interrupted. "I'm sorry for cutting you short but it is important."

"With the amount we have..." She thought for a second, "A month if they take their—"

"A week." He cut in,

"Tell them I'll add twenty million to their pay if they make one with excellent quality in a week."

"...Alright." She answered,

"I'll make sure it's done."

"Thank you. For everything too... I'm very grateful. You'll have full vacation access to the Island when it's completed."

"I thought we were family." She scoffed, "I will make the island vacation worth though. I'll put the money to good use."

"Thank you." He laughed softly,

"As family."

"Mr. Reynolds says Hi."

"Send my regards."

He stared at the screen for a while.

Thaddeus must have made sure Elena's alright.

"Thank you for the donation. I received—"

"You don't have to thank me, Mia." He chuckled, cutting in,

"You deserve the thanks... For the people you're helping." He smiled,

"I've been too busy to care for the world."

"You've done—"

"What do you think about Horses?"

"What?" Her brows raised, confused.

"I'll have a proper helipad made and buy some Horses." He laughed, turning towards the field.

"It'll be beautiful. Don't you think?"

_____

"Sir..." Xander knocked, pushing the door slowly as he entered.

"Is there a problem?" Trent raised his head from staring at his phone.

"Sca... Serta just called. She says—"

"It's great that you already know about her, Man." Trent smiled,

"Forgive me for not saying. It—"

"It's not a problem." Xander chuckled, walking forwards, "I already knew about her from the time you introduced her as your secretary."

"And you fell in love with her regardless?"

"She was... interesting." Xander smiled.

"Alright, You can keep the interesting parts to yourself. What's up?"

Xander cleared his throat and leaned against the table.

"She just called saying you got an invitation from a Prince— Aerwin Kravenberch to—"

"Aerwin?" Trent cut in,

"Why would he invite me?"

"He's invited several top players in the world to a private ceremony to mourn the late Emperor and—"

"Lobby for backings and make deals while at it." Trent scoffed.

"He's going to solidify his stance as the ultimate heir to the throne."

They looked towards the door as they heard a knock.

"Come in." Trent answered

"Uh..." Diana walked in, "I hope I'm not interrupting anything. I just—"

"What's up, Diana?" Trent smiled,

"What are your thoughts about the place so far? I hope you—"

"Exciting." She interrupted,

"It's beautiful and exciting. Everyone treats me well and I even have to go shopping with Marie later..."

"Thank the Stars."

"T–That's not why I'm here." She stuttered, shaking her head.

"I just got off the phone with my father..."

"Is there any problem?"

"Yes. A huge problem has risen." She scoffed, walking towards them.

"My..." She exhaled.

"Those fuckers have given me up to Aerwin as his bride?"

"What?" Xander blinked.

"Aren't you guys like—"

"They want you back by the time of the banquet Aerwin has planned." Trent muttered, cutting in.

"When does this banquet hold?" He looked at Xander.

"Two weeks time." Xander answered, "The Ducal houses have agreed that they will do the burial and start coronation talks in three weeks."

Trent stayed silent for a while, looking at Diana

"W–What should I do? I... I don't want—"

"You don't have to do anything." He cut in, shaking his head,

"You already have my word and my protection. I don't care who or what Aerwin Kravenberch thinks he is."

"That's going to set you against the Imperial family and Kraven if he ascends to—"

"If he ascends," Trent scoffed, turning to Xander. "He's nothing until he ascends to become Emperor."

"What if you just—"

"Don't worry about anything, Diana. Enjoy your shopping. I'll take care of everything."

"Okay..." She exhaled after staring at him for a few seconds,

"I'll enjoy my shopping."

"I've got a meeting with the Scientists." Xander exhaled,

"You should stop by some time. They would be so happy to see you. It means a lot to most of them that they could complete the project."

"I'll come visit soon." Trent chuckled,

"Does the Madam tell you about Zion Foods? I've been—"

"The Ma— Oh..." His face flushed a little,

"She's been doing a good job with the company. There's lesser competition with each day."

"Alright... I'll set out a date in the week and visit the Scientists."

"Thank you."

_____

BlueBee... Trent scrolled through his phone. A new Internet providing company that's been trending.

They've been having issues with going public due to competition from the major network providers.

The ideals they have is definitely enough to topple the market if given a fair fighting chance. Should I help them just this once?

Should I just buy the company instead?

He stared at the screen.

Will they be willing to sell?

A combination of Reeves Technologies innovations and the technology that BlueBee offers would be world breaking.

"Musk..." He called, closing the browser.

The old man said he'll be spending majority of his time with Cara Croft. No disturbance.

"HOW MAY I HELP YOU, MR. TRENT?"

"BlueBee Technologies... How much are they valued at currently?"

"BLUEBEE— INTERNET NETWORK PROVIDER... CURRENT VALUE; TWO HUNDRED MILLION DOLLARS."

He stayed silent for a while.

I should contact them tomorrow to see if they'll bite if I offer five hundred.

It'll be better if I can get up to ninety percent shares.

He blinked as a call came in— Yvaine.

"Hello... What's up?" He answered, placing the phone on speaker as he dropped it on the table

"How are you, Trent?" Dumroe's voice cut through.

"Duke Dumroe..." Trent leaned in,

"I'm good. I hope you are. What's going on?"

"You must've heard," Dumroe paused,

"The Ducal houses have given the Royal family three weeks."

"I heard about it. That's a long—"

"It's not for them." Dumroe cut in,

"It's for you to decide what you want with the throne."

"I already said—"

"You need to make a decision, Trent. I'll tell you when preparations are complete, Seraphim."