Handler XX: Stock Maestro
Chapter 16: Into the Lion’s Den

Chapter 16: Into the Lion’s Den

What’s all these? Trent scratched his head as he looked at the screen.

Anton with a Princess of the Kraven Empire and Newton with Kraven Intelligence agents?

"You’re secured enough right?"

"They don’t call me White Ghost for no reason" Angela chuckled proudly.

"They won’t even know I was there— there’s a reason the NIA tried getting me to work for them, you know..."

"They did?" Trent looked at her

"Yeah— turned them down. No fun"

"I was doubtful about the phone bug fix you did" Trent murmured.

She turned to him sharply, glaring

"You shouldn’t doubt me, 87"

Trent stared blankly at her. Well, it wasn’t odd that she found out.

"S–Sorry... I just did a little background check on you since you were with Theo"

Trent exhaled holding his face down,

"It’s alright, I understand"

"Speaking of—"

He walked to Theo who had his eyes close, vibing to the song on the headphone.

"Hey, Theo" he kicked his leg

"Ah... You done with it?!" Theo shouted, still covering his ears.

Trent nodded his head, using his hands to signify for Theo to take the headphone off

"What’s up?"

"How would both of you like to work for me?" Trent asked, turning to Angela.

"For you?"

"Sounds fun" Angela replied immediately.

Trent turned to her, "I thought you declined the NIA? Why accept mine?"

He’d asked because he wanted them but he expected getting her to agree to be harder.

"It sounds fun... That’s why. And you won’t restrict me, yeah?" Angela stood up and walked to them.

"W–What about you?" She turned to Theo

"How much are we saying? I know for sure that it’s going to be dangerous so it better be good" Theo raised his brow and looked at Trent.

"100 grand monthly so 1.2 million yearly" Trent replied with a smirk, "After tax"

He could see Theo’s mouth water even though he acted like it wasn’t enough.

"I’ll also get you guys any car or bike of your choice"

Theo’s eyes lit up at this, "You sure? I might just choose the most expensive car... How much is that?"

"165 million at the last Auction" Angela answered with a smile.

"163 mill?" Theo gasped.

"I don’t even have that much" Trent laughed.

"I’m in," Angela said, stretching her hand. "When do I start?"

"I’ll draft a contract— you’re welcome to Ackerman Holdings, Angela Reynolds" Trent shook her hand.

"I’ll be in touch"

"What about you?"

"Of course, I’m in. I was busting my brain for a job and I can convince my Sister if I say I work for a businessman"

Theo chuckled as he stretched his hand.

"Choose any car and send me the invoice" Trent turned to Marie, "There’s a bonus for the work you just helped with. Thank you"

"You’re welcome"

Trent and Theo walked out of the room. Mikhail had just came back into the office, he sighted them leaving.

"Hey..."

"What brings you guys here again?"

"I came to scout Angela for a job" Trent replied as he walked towards them.

"That lazy bum... I’m sorry she—"

"She agreed" Theo interrupted

"What? She did?" Mikhail asked, surprised. "Uncle is going to be so happy to hear" he exhaled.

"Ah... I sent the account already"

"Oh. Let me forward everything right now"

Mikhail led them into the office,

"When does the Mrs think the house will be ready?" Trent teased, taking his seat

"Mrs?" Theo turned, surprised

"Haha... You caught on, huh?" Mikhail laughed

"She’s my Fiancee. She said she could arrange everything by tomorrow for you to move in"

Theo looked at them, shocked. "Your dumbass has a Fiancee?" He turned to Mikhail.

"I’m not the Assoff, dumbass. Single and lonely Assoff The Hole" Mikhail teased, mockingly

"Fuck you... acting all high and mighty " Theo swung his hand at Mikhail

Trent moved 10 million from his trading account to his bank account, leaving 90.

"I’m initiating the transfer now"

"...and done" he showed them the transfer receipt on his phone.

"Fuck... I wish I was at least rich. I envy you, Cap— Married and successful..."

Trent laughed as Theo pouted, "I’m gonna make you rich"

"You know you sound like a scammer, yeah?"

"Captain Scam artistman" Theo chuckled

"Can you deliver the cars to the house when it’s ready? And give Angela whichever car she fancies— I’ll pay"

"A car?" Mikhail asked

"I think she liked the Bugetti that came in— it’s around 1.5mil though"

"1.5?" Theo gasped

"It’s no problem. Theo will pick something too— run the numbers through later"

"Hmm... Alright"

"Don’t you want a manager for your company, Boss?" Mikhail rubbed his palms against each other

"I do... Think you can run it too with this place?" Trent asked, standing up.

"Well, I’ll see what will happen. How much we talking about?"

"1.2 mill yearly, after taxes" Theo winked with a grin.

"Shit... That’s mulah" Mikhail gasped.

"Plus a car of my choice? I’ll get back to you"

"Alright... I’ll be waiting"

They walked out of the office, Theo excitedly humming a tone.

____________

Cobalt and Winscow... That was their codenames— the people with Newton in the picture.

According to what he remembered, they weren’t just ground troopers either. Fuck, he needed intelligence stats.

He could remember a ton of information with the additional 5 points he got, imagine getting more.

"Cap—"

"Captain!!!" Theo shouted, bringing him back to reality.

"Is there a problem? You seem out of it"

"Well... There’s a lot of things on my mind— it might just explode" Trent replied, composing himself

Theo stared at him for a while silently,

"Let me know if I can help. I work for you now"

"I will" Trent chuckled as he climbed down from the bike

He needed to take his laptop from the house.

After taking his laptop, he hailed a cab to the hotel.

___________

Marie was walking about the room, looking worried when he got in— she didn’t even notice he’d entered.

What was on her mind that the best in combat of her set didn’t notice him?

"Hey... I’m back" Trent greeted, startling her.

"Fuck!" She jumped, switching into a fight stance immediately.

She looked at him and exhaled, "You startled me"

"Yeah, surprising. What’s got you all worried?" He chuckled, taking his shoes off.

She looked at him for a moment as if trying to break some bad news

"Did somebody die?" He asked, disturbed by the look she wore

"Or did our identity get leaked?" He walked closer to her.

"No..." She shook her head

"...My Dad"

Morlov? What happened?

"Did he try to pull something funny? Did he harass you?" His eyes widened.

"Harass?— No"

"... something funny?— Not really either"

"What happened then?"

"He called through the front desk— I blocked his numbers" she sighed, sitting down on the bed.

"And what did he say?" Trent walked to her side.

"... He’s hosting a dinner party tonight and wants us to attend"

"What’s the dinner party for?"

"We can also choose to not go..." Trent exhaled, sitting down.

"I’m not sure about that. He threatened to expose the marriage or say something about it" she folded her arms

That bastard... Trent grinded his teeth. After that deal?

"We’re married legally and he’s given us his blessings publicly. There’s nothing he can do"

"If he means it, he can" Marie said sharply

"New mission initializing..."

"Morlov Manor. Special reward"

Special reward? What type of task is this?

Trent looked at her and took a deep breath

"I guess we’re going for dinner"

__________

"Damn" Trent muttered as he drove into the manor.

It had everything— class, luxury, style and beauty. Worthy of his wealth. Worthy of Morlov’s wealth.

"At least, he’s got taste"

"Hmph" Marie scoffed, looking at it.

"A wealth built on sacrifices"

"We sacrifice a lot for wealth" Trent replied.

"Not your own daughter" she snapped at him.

Shit... How insensitive.

"S–Sorry. I didn’t mean it like that" Trent stuttered an apology.

"I know"

She came down as soon as he parked, walking off— she maintained a neutral face as she walked past the few reporters and cameras

Trent watched as she stormed inside the house.

Shit. She was furious—and the press? What was Morlov pulling now?

"Mission complete. +7 Intelligence"

Holy shit. +7? Is this a coincidence, or was Ave helping him?

His brain lit up like a switchboard—names, codenames—everything downloaded at once.

He ignored the reporters as he walked in.

Morlov signalled him to come over to his table as he sighted him enter. Shit.

He walked towards Morlov but before he could get there, a lady walked to Morlov and whispered something into his ear.

Trent’s eyes widened as he saw her face— she was on the files.

Kraven’s Intelligence agent— Codename: Scarlet

Trent immediately sighted some familiar faces. People from Kraven’s Intelligence some from the NIA— waiters, cameramen, guests. They were mixed in.

His eyes met Scarlet’s as he turned back to Morlov. His pulse quickened.

Did he just walk into a Lion’s den?