Handler XX: Stock Maestro

"What's... the problem?"

"I just got off the phone with a senator"

"Alright... What's the problem then?"

"He asked a lot about you and seems to be very interested in the company and it's launch on the market tomorrow"

"Did you---"

"N–No. I gave no information whatsoever. I've been working with Xander to make sure all research and scientists are restricted until tomorrow. Even the military"

Good.

"This... Senator. Why was he interested?"

"Stock manipulation and money laundering— he sees the launch as a good opportunity to move his money and clean it— give us cash while we hold it as stock under our name"

"How much?"

"W–Wait... You're not---"

"If he came to meet us, it means there's a lot of money on the line. How much is he looking to clean?"

Anton looked at him as he heard this.

Money laundering?

"...A billion— he believes we'll be worth that in a few years"

"What did you say to him?"

"Told him to wait. It seemed too interesting to brush off when he threatened"

Threatened?

Trent scoffed.

He's got balls.

She exhaled as she heard him scoff,

"Something about making life miserable for us with his mighty group of friends"

"And I'm guessing Senator Montclair isn't one of those mighty friends" he chuckled, looking at Anton.

"What's his name?"

"Silas Werdse. He's a young one that thinks becoming a Senator at a young age due to his Daddy's influence makes him unstoppable" she chuckled

"You can take care of him, yeah?"

"...Doing what you did to Umber and Corbin might not be possible, but... yeah. To some extent"

That's too shallow

"I'll take care of him... and his daddy. It's necessary to completely destroy people like this"

She stayed quiet for a while.

What gave a twenty-five year old this much power?

"...Alright"

"Tell me if you're having any problems and I'll help. And thanks for agreeing to take care of things tomorrow"

"There's no problem" She scoffed

"We're partners, no? And the old man says he'll be there with me tomorrow"

"Alright... I'll call to check tomorrow. Goodnight" he ended the call and tucked the phone away.

"That's some interesting conversation you're having. Sound's illegal---"

"Just a rat eyeing my cheese" he laughed, interrupting Anton

"What's going on?" Marie asked.

"Rosa just called— some Senator wants to use us to launder his money— threatened to make life miserable for us"

"Who's that?" Wanda's eyes narrowed

"I'll take care of it. He's Silas Werdse. I think his dad---"

"Mark Werdse" Anton cut in,

"The Werdse family is deeply connected to the politics of Westeron. They're good friends with the Sinclairs"

The Sinclairs...

It'll be good to take care of them too.

But... He stared at Anton for a while.

"I don't care what you do to the Sinclairs" Anton huffed, turning his face away.

"They won't be around right now if not for the Emperor's mercy" Wanda cut in.

And isn't that strange?

For a Man that hates them deeply, why is the Emperor not rooting them out yet?

He's probably got his own plans and reasons.

"Now..." Wanda's eyes swept through the table, "Let's eat"

They ate in silence, exchanging only a few words before parting for the night.

_____

She turned to the other side of the bed and looked at him.

"Good morning" he chuckled, glancing at her while he pressed his phone

"...morning" she grumbled, bringing herself up against the bed post.

"What's up?" He turned the screen off and looked at her noticing how she kept staring.

"...It's" she paused, "It's just surprising— everything that happened last night"

He laughed, turning his body and placing his palm under his jaw.

"Life is full of surprises"

"Yeah?" She scoffed, "And you're just one big bag of surprises— one person connected to Sinclair and Kravenberch— the greatest families in the greatest countries"

He chuckled. Two countries that are fighting a so called underground war.

Bullshit.

It's just the bottom ranks that suffers the results of their actions.

He looked at his phone as it rang.

Kimberly? Did something happen?

"Hello. Good morning, Kimberly"

"Good morning, Trent. I hope I'm not interrupting anything"

"Just the talk with my beautiful wife" he laughed softly, looking at Marie.

She scoffed, shook her head and turned away.

"My apologies"

"She says it's alright. What's up? How's everything going with Mr. Reynolds?"

"He's alright. Thank you very much for helping— Mikhail was on the verge of losing it and---"

"It's no big deal"

"It's..." She paused, "Thank you"

"You're welcome. Is this about the talk with Icarden?"

"Yeah. They agreed to the deal— two hundred and fifty million for the island, seven-fifty for the development. They would like to seal the deal as soon as possible"

"Do I have to be there?" He groaned, placing his hand on his head

"Not necessarily... You can send a proxy from your company---"

"Good. Want to work with us? I've got two contracts that are yet to be signed"

"What?" She gasped

"Yeah. I know your commission on this is way higher than what I'll pay you yearly but---"

"I'll be happy to do this for you" she cut in, "For free. You don't need to pay me. Just send a video saying I can go and I'll take care of it"

He fell silent for a few seconds.

Is this to repay the favor?

"You don't have to pay the ten percent commission on the purchase either"

What?

"This is the biggest project I've worked on and I've gotten to build new connections---"

"No way" he chuckled, "This is business and what I helped with was really nothing— just a phone call for a friend"

"But---"

"Business is business— family is family. That's what I believe. And I won't have your business paying for a help I offered someone I consider family"

"...Thank you. I really appreciate---"

"Thank you too" he laughed softly, "When will you be able to leave?"

"By Monday... Since it needs to be taken care of soon"

"We won't be back for a week plus... and you can take a bit more time before going. I'll send the video and the helicopter to take you there"

"You can just send the money to them" she chuckled, "I'll have them bring an account so that you forward it"

"Alright... Just hit me up if anything comes up, alright?"

"Yeah. No problem. Take care and greet Marie for me"

"You too" he chuckled, cutting the call.

He looked at Marie as she stood up from the bed

"Kimberly sends her regards"

"How's Angela's father?" She looked at him

"Everything's alright. She called to tell me about the purchase of the Island. It's been approved by the Icardenian government"

"I knew they would" she scoffed,

Who turns away two hundred and fifty million?

"We have to prepare to go watch the tournament later"

They turned to the door at the sound of a knock.

"Room service? I'll go check and send them back" she exhaled, headed to the door and opened it.

"Yo..." She turned, opening the door wider for the person to come in.

"Good morning, Sir"

"Good morning, Cap"

"Good morning" he chuckled, leaning against the wall

"Good morning, Boss" Scarlet greeted as she walked behind them, nodding at Marie as their eyes met.

He blinked as he saw who followed

"Good morning, Diana"

"Good morning, Trent" she smiled, looking around.

It's like a royal room of its own.

"I'm sorry if I interrupted anything. I just wanted to come greet you and apologize for how Mila spoke yesterday"

The lady that was with her the previous day, entered behind her and bowed

"My sincerest apologies for acting rudely. I was---"

"Protecting the dignity of the Princess. I understand" he chuckled, walking towards them.

"Why don't we all go sightseeing today? We can go watch the game later"

"Let's go to one of those street courts and have fun" Theo chuckled, nudging at Xander.

"And I'll take the ladies out shopping" Marie chuckled, looking at Scarlet.

Scarlet laughed softly, looking at Trent. Did he tell her about me?

"It'll be nice" and fun to hear what she has to say.

"E–Even me?" Diana asked, looking at them

"Yeah. Why not? I'm sure he'll take care of the security"

"Tyson called this morning" Theo looked at Trent

"He should arrive in a few minutes with some security"

"That's good. I'll also tell some friends to ensure that the security is tight. There's nothing to fear"

I'll just call Mom and have everything sorted out.

"We should hit one of these street courts. That's if you guys know how to ball" Theo mused, looking at Trent and Xander.

Trent chuckled.

The program teaches the basics of major sports as an extra.

"I'm in. What about you?" He looked at Xander.

"I'm---" Xander paused as his phone rang.

He excused himself and walked away a few feet to answer his phone and walked back.

"Sir..."

He looked excited.

"You've gotta see this"