Handler XX: Stock Maestro

"Sir..." Xander knocked the door, walking in

"What's up?" Trent looked up.

"It's..." Xander paused, looking at the piles of books and files on the corner of the table.

"How's the stock launch going?" Trent dropped the papers on his hand

"It's going well— we'll be able to go public in 3 days. The deal has been signed by the Military and we'll go public about it on the day of the launch"

Trent exhaled,

So that's what was going to be the unexpected event that'll boost the stock prices, huh?

Only Insiders would've gotten that information and known what to do about it

"Rosa Theron will have to take care of everything" he stood up, looking at the table.

Ornand Curry...

What a Man.

"The tournament" Xander watched him as he walked forward

"Are you prepared?"

"Yes" Xander chuckled, "I have everything ready and Serta---"

"That's good" Trent cut in, glancing at the books arranged on the table.

"Help me arrange these back on the shelf"

"Alright..." Xander replied, looking at the books

"What about the recruitment of workers and the Pilot you talked about?"

"Oh" Xander gasped,

"I was speaking with Mia about it a few minutes ago— she said she'll get them to come for an interview when we come back"

An interview?

"There's no need for an interview" he shook his head,

"If she deems them alright, that's all I need"

"Okay. I'll let her know"

"It's a pity she's not coming along" Trent muttered, walking past Xander.

"She said the Madam's promised her an all paid trip to wherever she wants when we get back"

Marie did?

He paused for a second.

A donation to her foundation should be okay, yeah?

Say... 10 million?

He pulled out his phone as it rang— Theo

"What's up?"

"Good morning, Cap..."

"Good morning, Man. What's good?"

"The guy you said to meet... Tyson---"

"Yeah? Is there an issue? Did he mess---"

"Not at all, Cap" Theo chuckled, interrupting.

"He's a pretty chill dude, that guy"

Chill dude?

Tyson?

Was he behaving since Theo's someone he recommended?

"What about the group?"

They definitely wouldn't be able to hide how they feel well. It must've---

"Cool dudes"

What?

"They actually know what they're doing and it's such a strong camaraderie between them with Tyson leading"

Oh, really?

"I guess you've got some friends" Trent glanced at Xander as he arranged the books on the shelf

"All thanks to you, Boss"

Hmm...

Should I try and see for myself if they've changed though?

"Tell Tyson that he should be in Kraven with the team tomorrow ahead of us"

"That's..."

"Just tell him I said so"

"It's... short noticed, Man"

"You should be here early too, Man"

"To take you to the airport?" Theo chuckled, "Xan can always take you there, no? I thought I was gonna wait there"

"Just come" Trent chuckled, hanging up.

His eyes caught Rosa's call and he chuckled. Last night was kind of fun wasn't it?

Should I give her a call?

About handling the stock launch and just checking if she's still shaken by everything.

Seeing the news today was really delightful— Corbin, Trevor, Dylan and Mabel.

They're definitely going through the toughest shit in their lives right now.

He chuckled as he dialed her number.

She remained silent as she picked the call.

"Good morning, Rosa" he mused.

"Good morning... Trent"

Trent stayed silent for a few seconds

"You good?" He finally asked

"Well... What do you think? Corbin and the group got arrested this morning. What happens if they do anything or say something---"

"We'll just work on it" he laughed softly

She became quiet for a while— a quiet that hinted in disbelief.

"It's not going to be hard"

With Musk it shouldn't be.

"You don't have to worry about it. I give you my word"

She scoffed. What amount does the word of a crazy 25 year old hold?

Well... This isn't some random 25 years old.

This is one very crazy powerful one.

"So... Is that why you called?"

"Switching so fast? It's good that you're agreeing to take my words"

"I've got no choice now, have I?"

He looked at Xander as he answered the call on his phone.

"I'll be heading to Kraven tomorrow to be back in a week for a basketball tournament---"

"This doesn't seem like the time---"

"It's kind of important" he continued,

"Xander Ferte will be coming with me so we need you to help oversee everything while we're away"

"...isn't the stock listing date in 3 days?"

"Yes. I can't ask the Senator for help in this matter so---"

"What do I get in return?"

He chuckled.

Still a business woman at heart, huh?

"What do you want?"

She thought for a while before speaking,

"Taking charge of everything was easy since they had their hands filled with the media. But I found out something..." She paused.

"What did you find out?"

"Their... secret funds" she replied in a lower tone, "...What did you do?"

"Is that what you need? Information on what I did, or part of what's disappeared?"

"Who tells their secrets out?" She scoffed, "I'll rather---"

"50 percent of Dylan's secret funds if you help. It's your duty anyway as a shareholder so you'll---"

"Deal" she cut in,

"Have a nice day in Kraven, alright? And greet Marie for me"

"I will" he chuckled, "I'll meet you when I get back" he added, cutting the call.

That's settled.

I'll send Courtney Montclair a message so she informs the Senator about the journey and that Rosa will be in charge.

Hah. It's not started yet and it's already causing such stress.

He shook his head as he looked at Xander giggling on the phone.

I'm happy for him.

I'm sure Scarlet will tell him if she feels the same way he does.

He chuckled as he walked out of the study.

_____

"Is there a problem?" Marie glanced at him from the mirror as he walked in,

"You were gone so early. Didn't even have breakfast. I told Mia to leave it on the table"

"...Thank you" he replied, walking towards her.

"Are you... going out?"

She paused midway putting the earrings on

"We'll be leaving for a world's basketball tournament as VIPs tomorrow and we've gotten popular thanks to your popularity, so I was thinking of shopping for some things"

"Oh..." he nodded, sitting on the bed as she glanced at her.

"You've got to have new clothes too so It'd be shopping for two. Maybe buy some other stuff---"

"...Means I can come along?" He cut in, eyes widening.

She stared at him for a while.

What's he excited about?

He cleared his throat, turning his face away

"If it's alright with you, of course"

It'll be a good opportunity to try and connect with her too.

She exhaled, continuing with what she was doing,

"It's not a big deal. Go get ready and we can head out"

He laughed softly as he stood up,

"I'll make sure to act well"

She chuckled, watching him head into the bathroom

"You should have something to eat before we leave"

"I can get some curry rice when we stop at the eatery later"

"Right..." She mused.

_____

"Mia..." She called out softly as they walked past the drawing room

Mia walked to them, holding a duster in hand.

"Yeah?"

She bowed slightly as she saw Trent.

"We'll be heading out for a while. You can clear the food out, he'll have it when we get back"

Trent smiled as their eyes met

"Xander said you're proceeding smoothly with the recruitment of workers" his eyes trailed to the duster she held

"Yes, Sir..." She smiled back.

"He said you told him there's no need for any interview so I'll proceed to check them well"

"Xander will help you too"

He could run a background check on the people and see if there's anyone with bad intentions.

He pulled his phone out as it rang— Morlov.

Marie huffed as her eyes caught the caller ID.

"You can continue with what you were doing, Mia" he tucked the phone back.

Mia bowed slightly and walked back into the drawing room

"You're not going to take the call? It might be something impor---"

"It's not important" he shook his head,

"Let's go"

She looked at him for a while as he opened the door for her.

He growled as the phone rang again.

What's making him call?

Want to hook me up with another friend that will run a laundering scheme through me again?

What did Scarlet even do about that Friend of his?

I should ask her tomorrow when I see her.

"I'm driving" Marie chuckled, snapping him back to reality.

"As you wish" he chuckled, walking besides her.

She glanced at him as he slid into the passenger's seat. The phone was still blaring.

"You sure you shouldn't take that? He's been calling for a while and I think---"

He growled as he took the phone out sharply— an unknown number this time?

What's up with this old man?

He exhaled before he picked the call,

"Good morning, Sir... I am kind of busy---"

"Oh" a lady's voice cut through instead.

He blinked, recognizing the voice.

"Should I call later?" She chuckled