Handler XX: Stock Maestro

"Welcome, Mr. Ackerman..." A man walked towards Trent and Theo as they stepped out of the car.

"The Prince is delighted to host you." He smiled,

"This way please."

Trent looked at Theo and turned to the man, forcing a smile.

"Tell the Prince it's our honor to be here."

They followed him into the building— a place the Prince had named Thaddeus Palace in honor of the late Emperor.

Trent scoffed, looking at the statue of Thaddeus at the middle of the room with chairs around it.

The man looked at Trent, then at the statue,

"Is there a problem?"

"None." He smiled,

"I'm just in awe of it's beauty."

"I see." The man replied after staying silent for a few seconds.

"The Prince holds his grandfather in high regards."

"He sure does." Trent scanned around the empty room,

"Are we too early?"

"N–Not at all," He stuttered, shaking his head,

"The other honorable guests will be here shortly."

"Alright..." Trent mused, sliding into the chair most opposite to the head chair.

"I'll be waiting."

Theo chuckled and slid into the chair besides Trent.

"You don't get to—"

"He can't be standing when there's no other person here, can he?" Trent interrupted the man as he spoke to Theo.

"I never got your name."

"I am too inferior for such a honor. Names are—"

"I insist." Trent tilted his head and smiled,

"You look like a fine gentleman."

"Ed... Eduardo." The man muttered,

"Thank you for your kind words."

"Permit my friend here to sit until the other guests arrive, Eduardo."

"Yes, Sir." Eduardo bowed, glancing at Theo.

"Have a nice day, Mr. Ackerman... Mr. Arkov."

Theo nodded with a smile.

They watched as Eduardo walked off.

_____

Trent raised his head from the table as the tenth guest walked in.

It's been almost an hour since he arrived and there's been no sighting of the Prince.

He smiled as the lady walked past him. They've all seemed to have a very keen interest in him as they passed.

Understandable.

All his companies had soared to over thirty billion dollars in valuation in the past few days.

The meeting with the political parties leaders and the leaders of Lumina branches in Westeron had been very fruitful in taking control of Westeron fully.

He looked up as everyone stood up when Aerwin entered the room.

"Oh?..." He mused as Morlov walked in behind Aerwin.

Did he switch his allegiance already?

What about Cassius?

He smiled as their eyes met. Morlov turned his face away and just sat down, ignoring him.

Is he still angry that I didn't agree to the meeting when he asked?

His business has been doing terribly since he entered Kraven.

Some people have even attributed the bad things— Thaddeus' death and Kraven's market crash, to his company entering the country— bad luck.

Aerwin looked at Trent and frowned as their eyes met.

Trent smiled and looked away.

What's wrong with him?

"Honorable ladies and Gentlemen..." Aerwin spoke after clearing his throat.

"It is my honor to have you all here."

His eyes swept the room and settled on where Trent stood.

"It is a world where our enemies are eager to tear at us."

Theo looked at Trent.

Something seems wrong.

He looked at the other guards besides him and smiled.

"Today..." Aerwin continued,

"We come together to plan a future— one filled with glory and void of enemies."

He looked at Morlov and smiled,

"There is great fortune coming for us."

Trent clapped as everyone clapped and took their seats.

"I think Morlov has played me to his hands." He muttered to Theo with a smiled.

"What should we do?" Theo whispered as he leaned in,

"We can't escape if they all came after us."

"They won't." Trent shook his head softly, leaning against the chair,

"Not here."

They listened as Aerwin spoke for half an hour about the Empire— it's ancestors, their legacies and their plan on becoming great.

Some of the guests spoke after about their support for Aerwin and the glory they hope it brings to Kraven.

So much ass kissing.

Trent scoffed, looking as the next person stood up.

"Hello, all." The lady spoke, looking towards Trent.

"I am honored to be here with such great people and—"

"Cut the pleasantries, Miss Bracovva." Aerwin interrupted, "We do not—"

"My apologies..." She interrupted, looking at Aerwin.

"I guess there's no need for pleasantries."

She looked at Trent and smiled,

"Icarden has been a good friend to the Empire. The Bracovva family cares about Icarden's friend."

"We care about our valuable friends." Aerwin scoffed,

"Next."

What a snob.

Trent blinked as everyone turned to him.

He exhaled and stood up.

"I am Trent Ackerman," He bowed slightly as he stood up,

"I look forward to—"

Aerwin coughed, interrupting.

"Pardon me..." He forced a smile,

"Trent Ackerman."

Oh? Trent smiled.

No titles.

"It's no problem," He chuckled,

"I hope your health is alright, Aerwin Kravenberch."

Gasps and murmurs filled the room immediately.

"The future of the Empire rests on your health."

Aerwin grit his teeth and looked at Morlov.

"I hear..." He turned to Trent,

"You are Mr. Morlov's son-in-law?"

"I am married to Marie." Trent answered,

"She's such a—"

"She's his daughter, so that's a yes." Aerwin interrupted.

"That brings me to the question..." He paused, eyes sweeping through the room.

"Do you have plans to move to Kraven along with your father?"

Trent laughed softly,

"You must be mistaken... My father lives in Westeron."

The others looked at Trent confused.

"You have a father?" Aerwin laughed mockingly,

"I thought you—"

"I find that quite disrespectful." Trent interrupted in a fierce tone.

"I am here to give my support, not talk about my family."

He scanned everyone in the room and forced a smile.

"And I do have parents. Both alive and well."

His eyes caught Miss Bracovva as she laughed softly.

"We just hope you are on our side." Aerwin tapped on the table.

"Kraven will be the greatest."

"Sure." Trent scoffed, sitting down.

"Thank you for inviting me to this great gathering."

Aerwin stared at him for a while, jaw tightened.

"We should have a talk after this."

The others spoke and Aerwin concluded with proposals for the Empire's future, fitting most of the guests into the plan.

Trent took note of the people he excluded from the plan and made a mental note to reach out to them if necessary.

_____

"Mr. Ackerman." Miss Bracovva called as Trent concluded his conversation with one of the guests.

"Miss Bracovva." He turned, smiling,

"You look stunning. Your beauty makes the dress divine."

She chuckled, looking at the dress,

"Thank you... It's a new design from our company."

"I'll love some for my wife." He laughed softly, moving closer.

"I'm sure she'll love it."

"I'll have some new samples sent to her too." She whispered.

They laughed and looked at each other.

"You are quite an interesting man." She opened her purse and brought out a business card.

"I hear you got an island from the Icardenian government." She stretched the card.

"The Bracovva family cares about Icarden's friends."

Trent smiled and collected the card.

"I care about my friends too."

He reached for his phone as it rang.

"Excuse me."

"I hope to meet you in a better setting." She laughed and walked off.

He looked at the phone, surprised.

No calls.

Why did it—

PLACE IT AGAINST YOUR EAR.

The message popped on the screen.

"What's up?" He placed the phone against his ear and scanned around.

"You have to leave there." Thaddeus voice cut through the phone.

"What's going on?"

"Marie is being chased by kidnappers." Thaddeus replied.

"How did—"

"I wasn't paying attention. A friend named Terna called her out to—"

"Terna..." Trent interrupted,

"She's a Handler."

"She's betrayed you people." Thaddeus exhaled,

"I'm taking care of the situation."

"What's happening?" Theo asked, confused at Trent's expression.

"Marie's been chased by Kidnappers."

"What?" He gasped, stepping closer.

"Who sent them?"

"Aerwin and Morlov Sanchez." Thaddeus spoke to Trent.

"She's been working for Morlov for a while now."

"Do something about it." Trent growled softly, looking at the other guests.

"Wait."

An idea popped into his mind.

"Do they plan to kill her?"

"No." Thaddeus answered,

"I'm getting her to—"

"Connect us."

"...Alright."

"Marie... Can you hear me?" He spoke as the Thaddeus connected his phone to her stereo.

"I'm being chased." She shouted,

"I don't—"

"Calm down..." He interrupted,

"I have a plan."

"What plan? I..."

"I'm going to stop their engines and lock them inside until you call your security team." Thaddeus cut in.

"No." Trent shook his head.

His eyes trailed from the CCTV in the room to Eduardo walking towards them.

Theo tried to block Eduardo from reaching Trent.

"What do you have planned if not my escape?" Marie yelled,

"They're closing—"

"The cameras here just got tampered with." Thaddeus cut in,

"I think they're going—"

"Ignatius..." Eduardo said, looking at Trent.

"She sends her regards."

Trent looked at him for a second.

"Trent... Can you hear me? I said—"

"Let them kidnap you."

"What? You don't seriously—"

"They've crossed the line now." He growled, walking towards Eduardo.

"Trust me. Let them kidnap you."