Handler XX: Stock Maestro

"What's up?" He glanced at her

"It's... Morlov" she raised her head.

"He says to come to the Manor— both of us"

What's so important that he wants us to come? Is that the reason he's been calling?

"Should we stop there for a while before we head home?" He asked, holding the steering wheel.

She thought, silently for a while before answering.

"Let's just see what he's up to and leave if it's anything stupid"

Hmm

I thought she'd disagree.

He glanced at her.

"Alright... Let's go see what the old man has prepared" he chuckled

He'd be wise enough to not pull any stupid shit.

"And I can't take your payment later"

"I'll gladly pay with the whole menu" she laughed, "You seem to enjoy eating everything on it"

"Ugh..." He huffed, easing the car forward

_____

"There's a lot of cars here" she looked out the window as they'll pulled into the manor.

"Maybe there's something big going on?" He chuckled, bringing the car to a halt.

They got out of the car and looked around.

"Is this another marriage to some other prince?" She scoffed.

"Building royalty"

"Could be" he chuckled,

"Let's go see what's going on"

"Marie?" A lady's voice called out as they were about to walk into the house.

"Giselle?" Marie turned, surprised.

"It's... been a while. How have you been?"

Marie glanced at Trent before walking towards the lady.

"I've been alright. How have you been?"

"I've been alright" the lady stretched her arms wide for a hug.

After the hug, she glanced at Trent and whispered to Marie.

"You're quite a popular couple"

"Well..."

"I was going to reach out when news about the company and possibly bankruptcy from those fake news came out"

"Bankruptcy?" Marie asked, surprised.

Was there any news like that?

"It was over the news— tax evasion and inside trading or something. And Dad..."

Oh?

Marie chuckled as she paused.

"There's nothing like that as you can see"

"Y–Yeah" Giselle chuckled nervously,

"I'm going to meet my husband... Have a nice time"

Marie watched as she walked away.

Morlov, huh?

What did he do?

"Who was that?" Trent asked as she walked closer

"My... Sister"

A sister? That didn't seem so close.

Maybe on the surface, but...

"You alright?"

"Yeah" she scoffed

"She looks older"

"She's one of his other kids. She's lucky she got married before the whole Prince thing"

"Well... She'd have married a Prince. Who's she married to now?"

"To some old business man that fancied her" she chuckled,

"It's nothing different? Just a drop in levels"

Wow.

Morlov be out there giving his kids out for favors

What a shitty father.

Can't expect less from a person that killed his family now, can I?

"Let's get this over with. We didn't get to talk about what was happening and I think the bastard did something when you were under pressure from Umber"

He scoffed, stretching his hand to her.

He wouldn't dare.

"Shall we?"

"I'm already hating this" she huffed, taking his hand

______

Morlov noticed them as they walked into the room and waved his hand signalling them to come.

"Let's go" Trent glanced at Marie shod fixed her expression already and started smiling.

Good.

"Good afternoon, Sir" he greeted as he reached where Morlov stood, nodding at the other people standing with him.

"Good afternoon, Trent. I apologize for calling you out in this hot weather. And you weren't picking---"

"We were out shopping" Marie cut in softly, smiling at the people.

"Oh..." Morlov looked at her.

"Thank you for coming, my Princess. I hope---"

"Morlov!" a voice cut through, interrupting

Marie gasped as she saw the person.

The Prince?

She looked at Morlov.

Was that why he called us here?

"Introduce me to the guests" he chuckled as he reached where they stood

"As you wish, your highness" Morlov chuckled, stretching his hand

"This is Prince Cassius von Kravenberch. Of whom I'll soon be graced to call Son-in-law"

Trent glanced at Marie

This is the Prince, huh?

"And these are... my daughter, Marie and her husband---"

"Trent Ackerman" Cassius cut in excited.

Marie blinked, turning to Trent, surprised.

"I never imagined that the Prince would know who I am" Trent chuckled, nodding with a smile.

"The Prince is---"

"You're a popular person, Mr. Ackerman" Cassius walked closer, stretching his arm— breathe reeking of alcohol

"It's... nice too meet you, Prince Cassius"

"You're an interesting fellow too" Cassius chuckled,

"And a smart one" he whispered, holding his hand.

"To grab onto this wealth and build yourself"

Trent raised a brow.

What the hell does he mean?

Oh? He looked at Morlov.

Would you look at this old man?

That's what you've been telling people, huh?

I should've let her wipe him clean.

"You're an interesting man, Prince"

"I sure am" Cassius chuckled.

"You should stop by my place for some drinks whenever you visit Kraven"

"He'll make---"

"I'll be going there for the basketball tournament" Trent cut in, interrupting Morlov.

"Great. I'll be leaving tonight, want to join the jet?"

"We'll be leaving tomorrow, thank you for your offer"

"You've got..." Cassius licked his lower lip, looking at Marie

Morlov coughed as Trent glared at Cassius.

"They'll enjoy the drinks and meal"

"They should" Cassius chuckled, placing his hand on Trent's shoulder.

"You've got strong arms"

"Thank you" Trent replied, forcing a smile.

This fucking retard.

Was he just... looking at her with perverted thoughts?

Fuck.

Marie tapped his back, easing him.

"Time to leave?"

"That..." He gritted his teeth.

She stared at him for a while.

Was he getting angry... for me?

"Let's just leave. I think he's done what he planned" she exhaled.

"I'll treat you to whatever you want"

He looked at her and scoffed.

"I'll take a head run, then" he answered, jokingly.

"You'll get one" she chuckled.

His eyes widened.

"Y–You're serious?"

"Yeah, golden boy... And you'll give me a massage"

"Okay"

They stared at each other for a while.

"Let's go eat some curry rice"

_____

He laughed as they stepped out of the eatery.

"I thought you could eat everything... Why did you give up?" She chuckled, looking at him.

"You want me to trend again, don't you"

"Billionaire husband stuffs himself" she teased, nudging him a little.

"Even after seeing the video. It really---"

"Three million likes. Over ten thousand shares..." She chuckled, cutting in. "You're famous, Golden boy"

"Well, no publicity is bad publicity" he chuckled.

Too much popularity can be dangerous, but it's not something I can't control so it's alright.

"Where are we going to stay when we get to Kraven, though?" She asked from her side of the car before entering.

"The Grand Crest Hotel" he chuckled, with a smirk, sliding into the driver's seat.

"Grand Crest hotel?" She looked at him as she slid into the passenger's seat.

"That's the most expensive hotel in the Capital, no? How will you---"

"VIP status card" he mused

"There's no way you've got that" she huffed.

"You'll see... I'm full of surprises"

"More like full of shit on this one"

He laughed as he started the car.

"Be serious"

"I am serious... I'll show you the card when we get home"

"...Alright... No head rubs for you if it's not true"

He chuckled, holding onto the steering wheel for a while.

Should we still head to Athens Autos?

Maybe some other time.

_____

"Sir..." Xander walked towards them as they stepped out of the car.

Trent scanned the place.

"Angela's here?"

And Theo?

"What's happening?" He asked, sensing the worry on Xander's face.

"There's some problem..." Xander exhaled.

"Did somebody---"

"It'll be better to hear it"

"What's going on?" Marie asked, confused, looking at Angela's car

"They're waiting on the drawing room"

Angela and Theo stood up as they walked into the room

"What's going on?" Trent asked, looking at Angela.

"...How's your Dad?"

She sniffled, looking at him

"He's still in the hospital" Theo replied before she could talk

"It's not looking good, Cap"

"What's happened? I'm sure we can find a---"

"He needs to be transferred to Owena Hospital" Angela muttered, interrupting Marie.

"Owena... Damn."

"Call them and have him transfered there, then" Trent turned to Xander.

"It's not..." Marie sighed,

"It's not that easy" she glanced at Angela.

"Owena Hospital— it's the best of the best... It's where even the President receives treatment"

"Oh..." He exhaled, looking at Angela

"I–I can't do anything... I can't even try to---" she paused, tears rolling down her cheeks.

"Boss..." Theo walked closer,

"Isn't there anything you can do about it? They've got the abilities to---"

"It's Owena" Marie cut in,

"Sure they've got the abilities, but it's not that simple. They might even have enough space but---"

"Is there no hospital like that abroad?" Trent looked at her.

"Nope... The Yeager Hospital in Kraven only works for the Royal family and it's blood" Marie answered.

Hmm...

Trent looked at their faces.

I should be able to sort this out, no?

"Tell me his name, the hospital name and room number"

They looked at hi

m, surprised as he pulled out his phone from his pocket and dialed.

"...Jonathan Reynolds, Hospital Room 15, Tievel Hospital"

"Okay"

"Transfer to Owena Hospital— Patient, Jonathan Reynolds in room 15 of Tievel Hospital" he ordered as the call connected.

He looked at them, hanging up.

"W–What did you---"

"Don't worry about it anymore"