Handler XX: Stock Maestro
Chapter 17: Madam Web

Chapter 17: Madam Web

"My dear Son-in-law" Morlov stood up, stretching his arms into an embrace.

Trent walked up to him, wearing a fake smile as some of the guests murmured

"Mr. Morlov" he said embracing him

"Ah no need to be formal, kid— how’s project grandkids going?" Morlov laughed as he loosened the embrace

"Call me father-in-law"

His voice, still playful was laced with something— cold and dangerous.

Trent smiled and looked at the guests seating around Morlov

"My Father-in-law said to come play this night... Pardon us for coming late"

"There’s no need— you’re always welcome here, Trent" Morlov laughed.

"Haha... The kid— so humble"

"Where’s my Princess?"

"I think she’s admiring the place— she misses being here" Trent laughed.

Morlov signalled a waiter and asked him to bring a seat for Trent to stay beside him.

Scarlet came back and whispered something into Morlov’s ear, making him excuse himself.

Some of the guests that were interested in Trent started a conversation with him about investments and partnerships.

Fuck. These vultures and vampires— the greed in their eyes. He smiled and promised to get back to them.

"Ah... The Mrs." He gasped as he sighted Marie, "I’ll get in touch with all of you— I promise"

Thank the stars. He exhaled as he walked to Marie.

"Liking your new friends?" Marie glanced at him as he took a glass of champagne and joined her

"Friends? Calling those Vampires Friends is the same as laying my neck down to be chopped"

"I think they’ll be sad to hear that— I’m sure they were excited to meet you" Marie chuckled as she sipped from her glass.

He looked at her— thankfully she’d regained herself.

"Have an idea about why we’re here?"

"I overheard some talks— I think he’s going to announce the wedding with Kraven" she dropped her glass on a passing tray.

"He continued with it, huh?"

"No wonder they’re here" he murmured

"Who’s here?" She turned to him, curious

"Nobody" he shifted his gaze to Morlov walking back in.

She stared at him silently, what was he hiding?

"Let’s go take our seats" he said, nodding towards Morlov

They walked up to Morlov and he pulled Marie into a hug while they exchanged greetings.

"It’s good to see you again... Dad" she said as she released herself gently

"It’s good to see you too, my Princess— sorry I could not attend the wedding" he tightened his grip on her shoulder

After they’d eaten and drank a bit, Morlov stood up and hit his glass gently with one of the table knives

"Attention please"

The room became quiet as they shifted their focus to him.

"That’s better— thank you" he chuckled.

"I’m grateful to have all of you here tonight— it’s a honor to me and my family" he bowed slightly

He cleared his throat to continue,

"Tonight— I announce the engagement of one of my Princesses— Juliette to a Prince of the Kraven Empire— Jon van Kravenberch"

The room erupted into murmurs as Juliet Morlov stood up besides Morlov.

"Hmph" Marie scoffed as she watched Morlov kiss Juliette’s hand, "Princess"

Trent stared at Juliette as she waved at the guests. What a terrible act— she didn’t seem to like it.

"I guess it’s a dog fest here too" he murmured. What a father Morlov was.

Wasn’t van a collateral family for Kraven’s Imperial family?

"Enough, fellas..." Morlov waved at the guests, "I can see that we’re all excited— with this, we can strengthen our bond with the Empire"

"We are about to enter an era of so much flourish!" He concluded with a wide smile

They all stood up and clapped as he finished— congratulations echoing in the room.

Trent felt somebody pull his shirt and turned around— Scarlet. What the fuck?

His expression almost gave his surprise away but he maintained his composure.

He glanced at Marie who was forced into a conversation with some of the guests.

"How may I help you?" He turned to her amid the noise.

"Can you follow me, please?"

He followed her as she led him away to an empty room.

__________

He walked into the room as she held the door for him to enter.

"Mr. Trent Ackerman" she turned to him, locking the door behind her.

"Yes... And you are?"

"Yenifer Serta" she smiled as she walked closer

A fake name, huh?

"It’s nice to meet you, Miss Yenifer Serta" he stretched his hand.

"To what do I owe this sudden meeting?"

"I’m very sorry for calling you like this— my employer really wanted this meeting to hold"

"Your employer?" He asked as he took his seat

The Kraven Intelligence?

"They’ll rather stay anonymous— I’m kind of their broker"

"That’s not good business for me— I value transparency, Miss Serta" he stood up to leave.

"They offer protection" she said sharply, stopping him as he reached for the door

"Protection?— I’m a businessman that invests in stocks, Miss Serta. I don’t understand why I should be protected"

"We both know that you do" Scarlet laughed.

"Is that a threat?" His jaws tightened as he stared at her.

"Of course not. We just happen to discover that the NIA do not think well of you"

"Who’s we?"

"You don’t need to know that" she moved closer to him, "87..." She whispered.

Hah... They’ve been that exposed, huh? Well, Morlov was working with them.

"Haha" he chuckled— low and dangerous. She watched him, humming excitedly.

He ran his hand through his hair frustrated and walked to the chair.

"What do you want with me, Scarlet?"

Her eyes widened as he called her name. She jumped to him immediately, and grabbed his throat.

"How do you know that?"

Trent chuckled as he grabbed her hand, "That’s a question I should be asking, no?"

She winced as he pushed her away— frightened as he stood up and watched her.

"I can tell you’re not here to hurt me— what are you here for?"

She exhaled, standing up,

"I don’t know how you found out about my name— I’ll have to connect you to my employer"

She took her phone from her pocket and made a call.

"Hello, Scarlet" the voice came through— a lady.

"Hello, Boss"

"What’s happening? How was he?"

"Uhmm... There’s a problem"

"A problem?—"

Trent snatched the phone from Scarlet.

"Trent Ackerman speaking"

"What’s all this, Scarlet?" The woman’s voice cut through the phone, surprised.

"He knows who I am— I needed to connect you immediately" Scarlet explained.

The phone went silent for a while,

"So... You’re as smart as the rumors" the lady chuckled, excited.

"I’m not sure who’s spreading rumors but I am now a businessman trying to survive"

"Not with what happened a few days ago"

So they know about Yolaf, huh? Did they meet him because of the note?

"We’ll make sure you continue living as a Businessman if you will it"

"And what do I bring to the table on this deal?"

"Nothing— I just want to be close to you" she laughed

"Close to me?"

"Yeah, you can say so. Scarlet will always be in the country so she’ll assist you— information gathering is what she does well"

Trent turned to Scarlet, "You want me to employ her? Why not have her under Morlov?"

"Because it draws too much attention — Morlov is a man that likes his puppets around"

"Puppets?" Trent asked confused.

"The press... They’re at his beck and call. Employ Scarlet and we can keep in touch"

"What if I don’t"

"That’ll make me sad" she said in a low tone, "Plus, you know we can help you"

Help, huh? The NIA was certainly a threat right now.

"Is this a decision of the whole unit?" He asked.

"No— This is just me"

Just her? She sounds cool about everything, not minding the fact that he knows about them.

"I’ll employ her— it helps my situation and I’m in need of workers"

"Good" she chuckled, "I’ll be your Madam Web, Trent" she laughed, hanging up.

Madam Web? His favorite characters from the book he read in Anton’s room when he was little were Diamond Man and Madam Web.

Was this a coincidence?

He gave Scarlet the phone, "Find an office building, and run me the amount— that’s your first task"

"Yes, Boss" she chuckled.

He glanced at her as he walked away. Her mood changes so easily, huh?

_______________

"Where were you?" Marie asked as they drove out of the Manor

"Huh?" He looked at her, confused.

"You weren’t around after the announcement"

"Ah. I got the chance to hold an impromptu interview— Excellent person for the job" he chuckled

She glanced at him. He was definitely hiding something

Her phone rang, cutting the conversation.

"Hello"

"Hello, Miss Morlov" Newton spoke through the phone

She put the phone on speaker for Trent to hear.

"It’s Mrs. Ackerman now, Mr. Newton"

"Apologies. Is Trent there?"

"Yes" Trent answered. Why was Newton calling them right now?

"Great... There’s a task for both of you— A joint mission with the NIA"

"The NIA?" Marie asked surprised.

"Be at base by morning for briefing" he replied, hanging up.

Trent’s jaw tightened as he gripped harder at the wheel.

They’ve begun, huh?

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