Handler XX: Stock Maestro-Chapter 43: Hostiles Inbound

"Woah" Theo mused as he pulled in at the entrance.

"As expected of a gala— shit ton of reporters"

"A bunch of clowns" Marie scoffed, turning her face away from the window.

"It must be tough being famous" Theo laughed, looking at them through the mirror,

"What’s up, Boss?"

Trent snapped back to reality, looking around.

He’d been thinking about how to reel Montclair and Theron in.

"Business stuff" he turned to Marie,

"You should get your game straight— Those guys are waiting for us to step out" she replied, turning to the reporters that surrounded the car.

"Time to earn my keep" Theo mused, stepping out to where Marie sat,

He pushed the Reporters back and opened the door,

"Here you go..." He stretched his hand,

The reporters swarmed back as they stepped out of the car.

"Mr. Ackerman..."

"Trent..."

"Miss Morlov..."

"Mr. and Mrs.---"

"Mission complete" Ave cut in,

"Centient— Sell. 8am"

That’s one great bait secured.

He turned to them as Marie ignored them and walked past into the grand auditorium.

How annoying.

"It’s our honor to have been invited to such a great gathering. We hope to have a great time"

He smiled at the cameras and turned away.

Theo jogged up after giving the valet the key.

"You’re living the celebrity lifestyle, huh? I envy you" he whispered, grinning with excitement.

What’s there to envy here?

Reporters waiting to tear you up when they get the chance?

Hmph.

He watched as Marie talked with some people— she didn’t seem really pleased to be with them.

"Such a fake smile..." He chuckled.

Theo had gone to take some drinks from a waiter.

Shouldn’t be be protecting us?

"You should make some friends" a familiar voice cut through behind him.

"Hello, Senator" he turned back to Montclair.

Did he just arrive too?

"Call me Old Man Montclair. I just happen to serve the country in it’s senate" Montclair chuckled.

As one of the most powerful, no less.

What was his true intentions?

He tilt his head to look at the person behind Montclair.

"My grandkid— Aaron" Montclair introduced, bringing him forward.

"Say hi, Aaron"

"Hi, I’m Trent Ackerman— call me Mr. Ackerman" Trent smiled, as Aaron drew back again.

"He’s a shy one" Montclair sighed.

I’d thought he’d be here with his daughter.

Was this her kid?

"Boss..." Theo returned holding two glasses.

"This is my Chief of Security— Theo Arkov" he stretched his hand,

"This is Senator Baine Montclair"

"D–Damn..." Theo passed the glasses, stretching his hand to Montclair.

"I–It’s nice to meet you, Sir"

"An interesting fellow" Montclair chuckled, shaking his hands,

"It’s this old man’s pleasure"

His phone rang as he watched them— Theron.

"Hello" he answered, scanning around,

"Your left"

He looked around, confused.

"Up here"

Oh. He sighted her, raising her glass.

"I’ll be with you" he hung up.

"Forgive me, Sir" he cut in, interrupting Montclair.

"Yeah?"

"Can we go to that room for a talk?" He asked, pointing.

"...Sure" Montclair chuckled, raising his hand to the bodyguard behind him,

"Take care of Aaron" he ordered,

"Aaron... Grandpa is going to have a conversation with this handsome Man over there, okay"

"Okay" Aaron nodded,

"Let’s go" Trent whispered to Theo.

Marie walked towards them. She looked exhausted from talking with the people.

"You’re worn out already?" he laughed, teasing her.

"Good job, Detective" she scoffed.

She blinked as she saw Montclair.

"G–Good evening, Senator"

"Good evening..." He chuckled, smiling at her.

"We were just about to go have a conversation. Come along"

She glanced at Trent,

"Yeah. Let’s go"

________

"It’s nice to see you again, Mr. Montclair" Rosa stood up and turned to them as they walked in.

"You sly vixen..." He chuckled,

"I don’t know if it’s nice to meet you"

"Still hold a grudge about the last election?"

Marie’s eyes lit as Rosa turned to her.

"It’s nice to meet you, Marie" Rosa greeted, stretching her hand.

Woah. Her hands trembled as she stretched it. Rosa Theron in the flesh.

"It’s nice to finally meet you, Madam Theron" Trent cut in,

"Ah. The most shining star in finance these days" she turned to him,

"Forgive our rough introduction"

"You keep making enemies, don’t you?" Montclair mused, taking a seat.

"That’s why I have a ton of security" she laughed.

Maybe too many for a business woman.

Four well trained men stood guard at the door— they didn’t even allow Theo or the bodyguard with Montclair pass.

"They might be rude, but it’s all for my safety" she winked, stretching her hand.

"I look forward to our partnership"

"Partnership?" Montclair raised a brow,

"There’s nothing like that" Trent explained.

"Yet" she laughed, walking to the chair.

Marie sat down, watching them.

A fox, a vixen and a baby lion.

Wait. Shouldn’t he be more of a wolf?

Trent cleared his throat, still standing.

Let’s get started, shall we?

"Take a sit, honey" Rosa chuckled.

"There’s not much time before the ceremony and everything starts fully" he shook his head.

"Forgive me for being rude, but I’d like to make this discussion fast"

"You seem to have something interesting to say" Montclair chuckled,

What does he have to say that’s so urgent? Marie stared at him.

"My company— Reeve’s technologies is developing a chip for the military" he began

"I’ve heard of that" Rosa nodded,

"I’m guessing you need investors?"

"...Yes"

"I’ve also heard that the company’s not doing well" she leaned her back to the chair.

"...That’s right, we---"

"I trust he’s not going to suggest a failing deal" Montclair cut in,

"Continue"

"Thank you" Trent bowed slightly,

"The chip will bring a revolution to the Military weapon technology and set this country to the path of dominance. Also setting my company higher"

"How high?" Rosa scoffed,

"High enough to be listed" he replied, startling them.

"That’s some bold claim" Montclair chuckled, leaning forward.

"It’s hard to believe that a company worth 1 million dollars will be listed. I know, but---"

"How much?"

What? Marie turned to Rosa.

Her eyes were lit as if she found a treasure.

"I’ll give both of you 5% each at a valuation of 10 million dollars"

Marie turned to him immediately.

A total of 10% will give him back the money he bought the company.

What type of---

Rosa burst into laughter, startling her.

"You’re a funny young Man"

"If this old man’s calculations are right, We’ll be getting 10% at the price you bought the company?" Montclair asked.

"A stock trader toying with a company " Rosa mused, "That’s what one of the headlines read"

Trent exhaled,

I didn’t expect it to be easy in any way.

"I’ll give you a reason to trust me"

"What reason?" She raised her brow,

"Have you heard of a company called Centient?"

"Yeah" Montclair answered, "It’s Senator Vale’s company"

Hmm... Didn’t know about that?

"Are you close with the Senator?

"No way" Montclair huffed, leaning back on the chair,

"Close with the bastard?"

"What’s this about Centient?" Rosa asked.

"Tomorrow morning— 8 am. Based on my analysis, their stock prices will fall"

"Based on your analysis?" She scoffed.

Marie exhaled, lowering her head.

They definitely wouldn’t trust him since they don’t know what he’s fully capable of.

"Why should---"

"800 million" he interrupted,

"That’s how much I’ve made based on that analysis"

Marie glanced at Rosa.

She was really trying to hide her excitement, wasn’t she?

Did he hook her already?

"That’s nothing to us" Rosa chuckled, glancing at Montclair.

"With your valuation of 40 billion, it clearly isn’t" Trent scoffed,

"It’s interesting" Montclair laughed softly, "I don’t have a need to invest, but you’ve got my attention"

"All I ask, is that you try it. As a token of trust"

Rosa stared at him for a while.

His stock trading abilities were definitely excellent, perhaps the best.

Didn’t he start with $500?

"Alright" she exhaled,

"I think the ceremony is about to start" she looked back.

"I’ll tell my daughter about it" Montclair laughed, standing up.

"I hope we meet again in good spirits" Trent bowed as he walked past.

"I hope so too" Rosa chuckled,

"You’ve got one hell of a husband" she laughed, turning to Marie.

Marie chuckled, nervously.

One hell of a Man, definitely.

"What was that?" She whispered, nudging him as they left the room.

"Shark Hunting" he chuckled.

This crazy bastard.

He looked so happy right now.

With that wide grin on his face.

"Boss" Theo walked in,

"I need a drink" she exhaled, "That was exhausting"

Trent looked at his phone as it buzzed— Anton.

A message with a picture— details on the Agent, X.

She sighed as he flashed the screen to her.

"Almost forgot about it"

"Yeah— we’ve still got the main event" he scoffed,

"What’s that?" Theo asked, curious.

"Nothing"

"Right..." He scoffed, scanning the room.

Definitely something.

Must be a private thing.

No need to think about it.

"We have to meet Congressman Umber" she muttered.

"Umber?" Theo shot her a look,

"That lieutenant turned politician?"

"...Yeah" she answered, surprised,

"What about him?"

"I just saw him enter the room besides us with some security"

"O-" Trent blinked as his notification buzzed— Scarlet.

HOSTILES INBOUND.

Fuck.