Handler XX: Stock Maestro

Oh?

Trent stared at the phone for a while— they got braver and are still pushing, huh?

"They seem to think nothing of us" he chuckled, looking at Xander.

"Exactly"

"What a stupid bunch..."

Scarlet stretched her hand for the phone to see what was happening.

Umber and his gang decided to post more false allegations against Trent and his companies.

"What a load of crap" she clicked her tongue, scrolling through.

"What?" She pulled the phone closer in disbelief.

"What sort of bullshit is this?"

"What's that?" Xander asked, pulling closer to her for a look.

"A secret relationship with this evil man?" She laughed softly, looking at Trent.

"We need to do something about this. I can't have my reputation being ruined like this" she gave the phone back to Xander.

"Right..." Trent scoffed, leaning back on the seat.

They wanted to play the lasting game, huh?

"Send Felix Umber the whole file I sent you. Tell him to clear everything up in the next 8 hours and to come running when I call him if he doesn't want it posted"

Scarlet chuckled, staring at Trent for a while. He seemed different somehow, didn't he?

"Yes, Sir. I'll make sure he has no choice but to agree"

"Good"

He'll probably try to use his ties to the military and the program to shut me up.

Let's see the fun he'll show.

Trent snickered, falling his head backwards on the seat and closing his eyes.

I should call Anton when I get back and start with the plan.

_____

He pulled his phone out as he stepped out of the chopper and called Marie.

"Hey"

"Hey. Good morning. What's up?"

"I'm good. Are you back?"

"Yeah. I just stepped out of the helicopter... Are you home?"

"Home?..." She paused for a while, "No. I'm not at the house. I'm at Gina's"

His chest tightened.

Well... It isn't really a home, is it?

"Uh..."

"...Welcome back" she muttered,

"Thank you" he replied in a low tone.

Why did I even call?

Just to hear her voice?

Hah...

"Would you be interested in a date?"

"What?" She gasped, surprised at the question.

"A date— anyplace you desire to go"

It'll be better to smoothen things too.

"W–We'll talk about this when I get back" she cleared her throat.

"...Alright"

"A–About the Anton---"

"We'll talk about it when you get back" he interrupted smoothly,

"Y–Yes. See you soon" she chuckled nervously and cut the call.

Hah.

This is getting...

He exhaled, glancing at Scarlet and Xander as they spoke with the pilot.

He dialed Isak and walked a bit,

"What's up, Man?"

"I'm good. I couldn't take your call then. What's going on?"

"Oh. I was going to pass a message from the old man"

"Alright... What's up?"

"He says to accept the helicopter as a gift from our family and that we'll still pay the $100 million and it's alright with the team"

Whoa.

"Really? You guys don't really---"

"It's cool, Man. I was actually thinking the same thing with him. You've been a great help"

Damn.

"... Alright. Help me pass my greetings and can I invite you guys over to dinner? I'll visit the office if I need to" Trent chuckled,

"You don't have to visit the office. I'm sure he'll be very pleased with having dinner. Just tell us the date and location and we'll be there"

"Alright. Thank you very much. Tell Mr. Slumba that I'm very grateful"

"We're grateful too..." Isak chuckled,

"We've completed the documents for rights and all for the helicopter, you just have to sign your part and you can start using it"

"Okay... How do---"

"They'll bring it to you with the documents"

"Alright. I'll send the address of my place— there's enough space for it. Take care, Man"

"You too, Man— Take care"

Trent stared at the phone for a second before cutting the call.

Extra $100 million...

What should I buy or invest in?

Real Estates?

That sounds fun.

He grinned, already imagining what to do with the money

"Sir..." Xander pulled him out of his thoughts as his voice called out.

"Yeah?" He turned towards him

"We can head home now"

"Alright..."

Home, huh?

What a contrast between those words— the home and the house.

He exhaled sharply, shaking as head as they proceeded towards the car.

Scarlet waved them— more like waved Xander goodbye as they drove off.

Trent scoffed, glancing at his phone as it buzzed— the unknown number.

PACKAGE DELIVERED.

STABLES.

What?

Did they get into the manor and drop it at the stables?

And wasn't this too quick?

What type of insane work rate was that?

"Call Mia and ask if she's home" he turned to Xander.

"A–Alright..." Xander looked at him, confused, pulling out his phone from his jacket.

"Hello, Mia. What's up?" He glanced at Trent

"Yeah. We just got back. Are you home?"

He shook his head as she answered.

"Oh. Is there pork? The Boss wants some pork— says he wants to prepare it"

Trent raised his brows.

What type of lie...

"Oh. You prepared some and kept them on the fridge? That's... great" he chuckled, turning his face away.

"Alright. See you later" he hung the phone and turned to Trent slowly.

"Great news— She's made pork" he laughed softly,

"Not so— well, depends— she's not home and you might have to learn to make pork"

Trent exhaled, lowering his head.

Now I see why Scarlet is so drawn to him.

He can't lie under pressure, can he?

"I'm sorry, Sir" he muttered, lowering his head.

"That's not a problem. You did well"

The Lumina guys must've delivered it when they made sure she wasn't around.

Were they under Lord Uriel?

By the way... I should call him.

"Hello, Cap..."

"What's up? Are you busy?"

"...Not really. I'm just cleaning my place, you need me for something?"

"...Yeah. Can you come over to the house?"

"Alright. I'll be there in half an hour"

"Alright. See you soon"

He glanced at Xander as he cut the call.

"One thing you need"

"Huh?"

"What's one thing you need right now? You still haven't bought the car"

Xander thought about it for a while before speaking,

"A vacation" he sighed.

Trent stared at him for a second— he looked serious about it.

"I know it's hard right now, but it'll be worth it" Trent exhaled, leaning his head back on the chair.

"You'll get as many vacations as you want— there's remote working, isn't there?"

"That's true" Xander sighed,

"There's this really great place— Mabiu, a small beautiful island nation. It'll make a great vacation for me and Yen"

"Of course..." Trent scoffed.

"We also have to think about getting new workers for the house"

Chefs, butlers and Securities.

The important aspects for starters.

"I spoke with some of the previous staffs that resigned after... the previous owner's death— the good people"

"And?"

"I'll get them to come. They'll not give any issues— they're close to me and Mia"

"Alright. Just take care of it and offer them good pay. Run any issues through me. I don't think much is left in the card"

"Well... I haven't been checking. My apologies"

"I receive the alerts. It's not your problem. Create a bank account for Ackerman Holdings and I'll transfer there for everything"

"Alright, Sir" Xander replied, looking out through the window.

"We're here"

Alright.

Trent looked through the window.

The driver parked just outside the gate and they got out.

Xander walked to the driver and spoke to him as Trent walked into the manor.

"Car tracks— different from the ones on the cars we have" Trent muttered, scanning the ground.

He looked back as the sound of a bike roared as it drove closer to the place.

Xander turned to look from the gates with bags in hand.

Theo.

Theo stretched his hand, slowing down as he got to Xander and took one of the bags before proceeding to drive inside.

"Yo..." He called out at Trent as he pulled his helmet.

"You look excited..." Trent mused, walking towards him.

"Of course... I can finally do some work and not receive free pay like my sister insists"

This sis-con...

"What's up, Man?" Xander waved as he reached where they stood.

"It's nice to meet you again, Xan"

"Nice to see you. How's your leg?" Xander chuckled, stretching his hand for the bag.

Theo laughed, shaking his head as he refused to pass the bag

"What am I hear for, Boss?"

"Follow me" Trent mused, walking away.

They followed behind— catching up while they walked.

"I spoke to the head of the security team I want you to work with" Trent glanced at them,

"Oh. The work thing" Theo replied as they hastened their st

eps to catch up with him,

"Yeah. You might not like the dudes but it's no problem because you just have to work as my private security anyway"

"Alright..."

"Uh..." Xander looked around.

"Are we going to the lab?"

Trent chuckled, looking towards the stables.

"I've got a surprise for you"