Handler XX: Stock Maestro

"Mr. Curry"

"Call me Ornand" Ornand Curry chuckled, nodding at his bodyguard to shut the door.

Trent looked around scanning the place.

"I called in some favor with my... Fiancée" Ornand chuckled

"She's well connected"

"She sure is" Trent chuckled,

"Wasn't expecting less from a Princess"

Speaking about Princesses.

I should call---

He looked up as Ornand cleared his throat and pulled something from his pocket

A USB drive? Trent stared at it for a few seconds as he stretched it to him.

"The files you'll need are in there"

Well... If they're a lot of information, it shouldn't be weird to store it in a drive that's easy to carry.

"I'll pass this on" he chuckled, taking the drive.

"If there's nothing else---"

"Uh..." Ornand cut in nervously

"Any problem? I've got people waiting for me in the reception---"

"It's... nothing" Ornand forced a smile,

"Enjoy the tournament"

"I might have to leave early but I wish you bests of luck" Trent stood up

"Contact me if there's anything you need"

"...Thank you"

Trent looked at him for a while and tucked the drive into his jacket.

I'm sure there's something more to this. I'll just have Xander check.

"See you around"

_____

He pulled his phone out, looking at them as he walked closer.

"...What's up?"

"Busy?"

"Not really..." Wanda chuckled, "What's going on? Need me to visit?"

He scoffed, nodding at the hotel staff that walked past him.

"How's Diana doing? I'd like her to be transferred to Grand Crest Hotel while I'm here---"

"You've been doing a lot of transfers" She chuckled, "This one's going to cost you... It's against our policies to be involved---"

"She's my friend. I don't care about the succession issues and will not interfere except it's a personal issue"

"Good. We don't get involved with---"

"Country affairs or things like favoritism" he huffed. That's rich looking at the fact that the head of the organization is the Emperor himself.

"What's it going to cost?"

"...I'll take care of it if you have dinner with us"

What?

"That's not going to---"

"Please"

He blinked, surprised.

Did she just say please?

And what does she mean by us?

"...How many people am I going to meet?"

"Does that mean you're agreeing to it?"

"Should I come alone?"

"No. You and Marie... That'll be great if it's possible"

He exhaled, looking at Marie.

"Where?"

"You don't have to come to us. We'll come there— someone will come to your room later tonight around eight to lead you to the place"

"...Alright"

"Thank you" she muttered, ending the call.

He sighed, looking at the phone for a while. By us... Could she have meant with the Emperor?

"What's up?" Marie asked as he got to where they stood.

"I'll tell you later. Forgive me for not leaving the card"

"How'd you get this place, Cap?" Theo asked, excitedly, "This is the grandest hotel I've ever been to"

"It's not called the Grand Crest Hotel for a reason" Xander chuckled

"And I'm pretty sure you don't want to know" Scarlet looked at Theo.

Theo nodded slightly.

There's really no need to know, is there?

"I should send pictures to my Sister"

Trent chuckled as he sighted the man that had handed him the VIP card rushing towards them with some staffs.

"Mis–Mister Ackerman" he stuttered as he reached them.

"Who's he?" Marie whispered

Theo walked to block him but Trent signalled him to stop

"It's nice to meet you again. I didn't get your name the last time" he smiled

"Suarez.." He muttered,

"Suarez Timber"

"Its nice to meet you, Mr. Suarez" Trent chuckled, pulling the card from his pocket.

Suarez scanned the others along with Trent and nodded.

"There's an available Presidential Suite and some Ministerial suites"

"My guests will be using two Ministerial suites. Keep two more available just in case"

"Yes, Sir... This way please" Suarez bowed, stretching his arm forward to lead them.

Xander and Theo looked at each other.

Damn...

Marie glanced at Trent.

Is that some billionaire privilege?

"Let's head in" Trent chuckled, looking at her

_____

"This place is seriously... Damn..." She whispered in awe looking around the room.

Trent dropped the bag and chuckled.

Wait. He looked at her.

Should I just tell her now?

"M–Marie"

"What's up?" She turned to look at him

"We need to talk"

Her face turned serious immediately.

What does he want to talk about?

"Okay..." She gulped walking towards him. "What's up?"

"Let's sit" he looked at the bed.

She watched as he walked to the bed and followed behind

"What's going on?"

He looked at her for a while.

She doesn't seem like she'll freak out or do anything irrational.

"My..." He paused, "Wanda wants to meet us"

"Your Mom?" She gasped.

"Yeah. And I don't think she's the only one" he exhaled.

"Who else would..." She paused immediately, eyes widening.

"D–Don't tell me the---"

"I don't know yet" he shook his head,

"Just keep your mind open"

"Alright..." She sighed. Was that what he wanted to say that seemed---

"And..."

She blinked

He stared at her face for a second.

There's really no need to tell her.

"Ornand gave me a USB drive— I passed it to Xander to---"

"That's not something he should be having access to"

"I know. There was just something suspicious about Ornand Curry"

"Something suspicious?"

"You think the Emperor will only want him because he plays basketball?"

Definitely not that Emperor.

He might like basketball but he doesn't move based on emotions.

"Hmmm..." She thought for a while

"So you're checking for bugs or spyware? You think the Program wouldn't be able to find---"

"They're not as good as Xander... or Angela"

Cisco's good but it's better to use Xander.

They looked towards the door as they heard a knock.

"I'll go get it" He turned to her, stopping her from getting up.

"Oh" he chuckled as he opened the door, seeing the person.

"It's nice to meet you again" Diana chuckled, bowing slightly.

"P–Princess" the lady with her gasped, seeing her bow.

"It's nice to see you too, Diana"

"Who's that?" Marie walked towards

"Wow..." Diana's eyes widened as she saw Marie.

"I never thought I'd get to see you soon"

"You're... Diana Le Kravenberch"

"Just call me Diana, Mrs. Ackerman"

"Call me Marie" Marie chuckled with a smile.

They turned as they heard someone approaching— Suarez.

"We should have breakfast tomorrow" Trent turned to Diana

"Mr. Suarez here will show you to the room and you can choose to leave whatever time you please. They'll take care of everything as long as you're here"

The lady with her gasped.

"R–Really? Princess that's---"

"Very... kind of you, Trent. But it costs a ton to stay here compared to other places" she paused.

"It's not called the second imperial palace for no reason"

"Don't worry about it" Trent chuckled,

"You just have to stay comfortably"

"...Alright" she muttered, lowering her head.

"We'll see tomorrow morning"

Suarez stretched his hand to lead them off.

"See you in the morning" She smiled, turning to leave.

_____

She looked around in awe as they were led into the room— a private section in another detached building from the hotel.

Having to take an electric shuttle here— a detached building in the woods region of the hotel.

He looked at the guards at the corner.

"Trent..." A familiar voice called out— Anton.

They invited him too?

Was he the other person?

Marie glanced at Trent, walking towards the dining table.

"A family's meeting" She mused

"It's good to finally meet you, Ma"

"It's good to meet you too" Wanda laughed softly, "You look so lovely, the articles downplay your beauty"

"Oh my..."

"What's up?" Anton looked at Trent as he sat down.

"The usual..." He chuckled, "Surviving"

"You're living good though, no?... You won't see me living the life you're living and not be grateful"

"Come live with me, then"

Anton chuckled, turning to Marie and Wanda

"You too catch up, yet?"

He turned slowly with a grin,

"I've been here since yesterday"

Oh? Trent scoffed.

"Now..." He tapped the table, drawing their attention.

"Should we get this started?"

It's a pity I don't get to meet the Emperor but it's all good regardless.

Time to... entertain some deep talks

"She isn't---"

"Do I need to be here?" Marie asked, looking at Wanda.

"Yes, Love. You're family. Both of you seem to have overcome the false marriage and are---"

"False marriage?" Anton gasped, looking at Trent.

"It's complicated"

"...I knew it smelt fishy. Didn't just want to pry" he muttered

"And... Marie" Wanda continued,

"Forgive me for asking even though I know... Call it confirmation of sorts"

"...Okay" Marie answered, confused

"You hold a grudge against your Father, correct?"

"You shouldn't be asking---"

"Yes" Marie answered sharply, interrupting Trent

"You might need to keep a low profile in the coming week"

"What's happened?" Trent asked

"Morlov Sanchez has broken a rule and involved himself in Politics— Kraven's Politics" She leaned forward.

"He's set to move all assets here next week. Now that's something that Westeron will not like"

The room fell silent for a while.

Marie and Anton looked at them, confused.

A rule?

Isn't it just business?

"You could've told us this bit on the phone" Trent exhaled.

I expected this to some extent but I didn't expect Morlov to be so dumb.

Well... He doesn't know who the top leaders of Lumina are.

"Is this why you called?"

"No. I---"

"I called for this meeting" A voice cut through from the entrance of the room