Handler XX: Stock Maestro-Chapter 42: Shark Hunting

"How sad. I thought I gave quite a unique impression at the mall"

Oh.

"S–Senator?"

"This Montclair Oldie’s been hoping we could talk"

Woah. Trent cleared his throat.

He’d forgotten about Him with everything going on.

"I can come to you if you send a location"

"No need— we’ll just meet at the Gala"

Oh, Yeah... He was a guest.

"My Daughter wants to meet you too— I’m sure you’ll like her" he added, chuckling.

Was he—

"I’m married, Sir"

"Who’s talking about marriage?" he mused,

"Although powerful men have more than one"

This old fox.

I’m not going to play his game.

"I’ll meet you at the gala, Sir"

"... Alright. See you soon"

Trent stared at the phone as Montclair hung up.

Was that the only reason he called?

"New Mission Initializing— sign-in, GET gala"

Alright...

That’s gotta be something.

Time to reach billionaire status.

"I’ll make the payment" he said as he walked towards them, "and I think I’ll be back to see the classics"

"Nice. I’ll give you discounts"

"You’re supposed to give me commission for this, buddy" Theo nudged Mikhail.

"Of course, Assoff— 2%"

"That’s too little isn’t it?" He raised his brow.

"That’s 60 grand. And I’ll help you talk to the owner of that car"

Trent glanced at them as he opened his trading account— transferred 50 million to his bank account, leaving over 720 million in the balance.

20 million for whatever Ave rewards.

He transferred the payment and Theo’s commission.

They looked at their phones as the notification came in.

"Received" Mikhail chuckled, turning to him, "Let’s proceed to finish all signing"

"Nice doing business with you, Cap" Theo smiled, staring at his phone.

"You’ll be with me tomorrow, Man" Trent said,

"Can’t have my Chief of Security slacking off"

"Shit" Theo looked up immediately,

"I totally forgot I had to work"

"You didn’t forget the million" he scoffed, eyes trailing Mikhail as he walked past him

"Let’s go to the office"

______

"A staff will follow behind you to your place— I’d love to bring it for you but something’s come up" Mikhail said, standing up.

He looked worried— constantly checking his phone during the signing.

"Is there any issue?"

"...my uncle— he was just rushed to the hospital"

"What?" Theo blinked,

"Is it serious?"

"I–I don’t know yet" he glanced, walking towards the door.

He called one of the workers and ordered him on what to do.

"He’ll follow you. I’ve gotta go"

"No problem. Everything will be alright" Trent nodded with a smile.

"Should I follow you?" Theo asked,

"N–No... You’ve got---"

"He can be back tomorrow. The gala’s at night" Trent cut in.

"Take care of him" he glanced at Theo as he stood up.

He watched as they hurried off.

"Let’s go" he turned to the staff, waving the documents.

"I’ll be with you, Sir" the staff replied.

_________

Marie and Gina stood outside when he drove into the manor.

They watched at the Rolls Royce pulled in behind. Marie glanced at him as he came out of his car.

"That looks amazing" she chuckled, turning back to the car.

"Of course— a Queen deserves luxury, no?"

"Mr. Trent" Gina turned to him, excitedly, spreading her arms.

"It’s been a while, Madam Gina" he smiled, hugging her.

Marie collected the key as the driver stepped out of the car.

"How much is this?" She asked, staring at it.

"3 million"

Gina gasped, raising her brows.

Damn. She knew he was rich, but this exceeding her expectations.

"That’s expensive" Marie exhaled, looking at the key.

Wait. Why wasn’t she surprised? Gina looked at her, surprised.

These fucking Trust fund babies.

"How much did everything cost?" Trent asked, snapping her back to reality.

"500k" Marie cut in, "I already paid"

"Y–Yeah" Gina cleared her throat.

"I was surprised when I saw the message"

"Thank you" he chuckled, "We’ll also need clothes for the gala---"

"Already got that"

"Thank you" he glanced at her. She seemed to like the car.

"You want it?"

"W–What?" She stuttered, surprised,

"I already have two"

"This is a perfect family car" Gina mused, walking towards her,

"The only elements missing are the kids"

Trent coughed. Marie turned her face away as their eyes met.

"N–Not now" she stuttered, forcing a smile.

"When? It’s perfect--"

"We’re very busy. We want to be present with them" Trent interrupted.

And this was a fake marriage.

His jaws tightened as he forced as smile.

She looked at Marie for a while and exhaled. Marie’s smile didn’t quite reach her eyes

"Alright"

"Can you drop him off on your way?" He asked, pointing at the driver.

"Of course. You guys take care of yourselves and make babies. It’s prime time" she grinned, with excitement, signalling the driver.

"Take care of yourself" Marie scoffed,

"She’s got great spirit, as always" Trent chuckled, watching her drive off.

Their eyes met as they glanced at each other.

"H–How was the meeting?"

"Great" he turned his face away.

What was all these emotions?

He gulped as he glanced at her again.

Damn stars...

"I–It’s been a busy day too" he turned to walk in.

He looked towards the gate— the automation function seemed to have a problem.

Let’s fix that when Xander gets back.

________

"Sir?" Mia knocked on the door, walking in.

He looked up from the papers he was reading.

He’d told Xander to look into the key guests for the gala this morning after they checked the gate.

"Have a sit, Mia"

She looked around nervously as she took her seat.

"I–Is there a problem, Sir?"

"No problems... Xander said you’re a lawyer" he said, dropping the papers

"Y–Yes, Sir... I don’t practice though"

"You’re licensed, yeah?"

"Y–Yes, Sir"

"That’s great. You’ll help me review documents and contracts. Will you work as my lawyer?"

She thought silently for a while.

"Definitely. I can help whenever there’s work"

"Make a contract for 6 people, including yourself— 1.2 million--"

He paused,

The scale of things now is already bigger than when he proposed the deal.

"12 million yearly, and a million bonus for a car"

Her eyes widened as she heard the amount.

"M–Me too?"

"Yeah" he smiled,

I’m sure they’ll be surprised too.

The last one was in case Mikhail changed his mind.

"We’ll find new helpers for the house---"

"S–Sir" she interrupted,

"Yeah?"

"I’m grateful, but I’d like my salary to be paid to my foundation"

"Your foundation?" He raised his brow.

"Mr. Rotschen paid whatever legal work I did for him there. I try my best to help my people in Renea"

Yeah. She was also a citizen of Renea.

I hadn’t thought of asking.

"Alright"

"And the car payme--"

"You’ll get the car— I’ll periodically send donations to your foundation separately"

"T–Thank you, Sir" she bowed,

"I’ll make a contract that will protect your interests"

"Alright" he glanced at his phone as it buzzed. 6:12pm

We need to be there by 7.

Theo’s supposed to be here by now.

He stood up, watching her walk away.

__________

"You look great" he mused, staring at her.

"You think the dress makes me beautiful?" she turned to him from the mirror.

"You make the dress look beautiful" he chuckled,

"You’ve got sweet words" she laughed, looking back at the mirror,

"You think I’m sweet?"

She laughed softly for a second and looked at him through the mirror.

He looked like a model all dressed up tonight. Something about him tonight felt different.

"I think Theo’s here" he walked to the window as he heard the sound of his bike.

"We’ll be waiting, my lady" he bowed and walked off

________

He glanced at his phone as he walked towards Theo.

This doesn’t look like the Senator’s

"Hello. Who’s this?"

"You didn’t save my number?" The voice cut through.

Rosa Theron?

"Miss Theron... I’m kind of busy right now"

"I know" she chuckled, "I can’t find you anywhere here. Are you coming?"

She’s at the gala too?

"I’ll be there soon. We can talk later"

"That’s not how you talk to a future partner" she mused,

"You need me, Mr. Hotshot"

"See you in an hour" he huffed, hanging up.

"How do I look" Theo stretched his arms

"You look great" he replied tossing him the key.

"You should hire a driver" Theo muttered, looking at the key.

"That’s why you’re getting paid 12 million" he chuckled turning as he heard her approach.

"What?" Theo blinked,

Xander rushed out of the drawing room immediately, surprising them.

"What’s happening?"

"T–The research... We just solved it" he answered, excited.

"Really?" Trent’s eyes widened.

"Yes, Sir" he turned to Marie as she walked closer.

"I’ll run it by you tomorrow"

"Yeah, definitely... Great job, Man" he tapped his shoulders, turning to her.

"The Queen is here"

"My liege looks happy" she laughed, curtsying.

"I guess I’ll be the chariot’s driver tonight— let’s go, your highnesses" Theo laughed, walking off.

Yeah. Trent rubbed his palms smirking.

Time to catch some sharks.