"Sidd Inc.— Sell. 2pm"
Trent clenched his fist in excitement. Finally. What he’d been hoping for.
He looked at his phone as they walked in, 12:23 p.m. Already.
Another waiter showed them to their seat and the event started in earnest.
"...For the glory of Westeron," Gentely finished.
He’d been called up as a key member of the country for a speech.
"Glory of Westeron, my ass," Marie muttered.
Trent chuckled, pulling out his phone.
"Gotta admit, he sells it well."
A long speech about strengthening the nation’s economy and that of its allies.
Such bullshit coming from a traitor.
Beneath the table, Trent placed a $2 million Sell order.
Marie tapped his leg with her knee, nodding at the waiter handing Gentely a glass of champagne.
Trent gave her a slight nod. They were just about to excuse themselves—head toward the bathroom where, according to the note, the gun and truth serum were stashed—when a voice echoed through the hall.
"I’m very grateful to be here today," Morlov began, standing at the podium, "amongst the pillars of this nation..."
Morlov cleared his throat, gaze sweeping the room.
"...and the future that will hold it strong."
Then, with a smug smile, he gestured toward their table.
"I’ve been blessed to have two such people in my own family—my daughter and son-in-law."
Dozens of heads turned.
Marie stiffened. Trent placed a hand gently on her shoulder, steadying her as she forced a smile.
"My daughter’s no stranger to this room. We kept things quiet—personal reasons."
"My Son-in-law" Morlov continued.
"A genius in stocks... Making over Seventy million in less than a month—"
Gasps echoed through the hall, followed by murmurs.
"Trent Ackerman, CEO of Ackerman Holdings," Morlov announced, clapping loudly.
Trent rose, offering a polite bow.
"Go," he whispered to Marie, eyes locked on Gentely being escorted toward the bathrooms. "I’ll handle the crowd."
Marie hesitated, watching as Morlov signaled a waiter—handing Trent a microphone.
She gave a tight nod and slipped away.
"I’m very happy to be here today amongst such great people" Trent spoke as he collected the microphone.
"And, my Father-in-law... I have always admired him. I am grateful for his blessings"
Morlov laughed, raising his glass,
"He’s so humble... You should teach us how to trade stock some time"
"I will..." Trent chuckled nodding, "I look forward to learning more from you, Father" he bowed.
"I am Trent Ackerman and I am honored to be in such a great gathering"
"Pardon my wife— she had too much cake to eat yesterday"
"I’ll go check up on her and I’ll be back to pay my greetings"
He bowed and passed the microphone back. Morlov clapped and got off the stage.
Trent greeted the people seated close to him and walked off to join Marie.
He knocked on the lady’s bathroom and she came out.
"He’s there right now"
"Problem is... He’s got two bodyguards"
"Let me check it out. You can come in if I whistle" Trent replied.
Time to test this strength he’d gotten.
He remembered most of the combat techniques he’d been taught because of the increase in intelligence.
He walked up to the Men’s bathroom, but he got blocked from entering.
"There’s someone inside" one of them blocked the door with his hand
"And there’s more than one room in there, no?" Trent asked trying to enter.
The other placed his hand on his waist, revealing a gun.
"Woah..." Trent raised his hands up, backing off a bit.
"It doesn’t have to go that way"
"What’s that?" He asked, curious as if he’d heard something from inside.
As the nearest guard turned, Trent struck the back of his neck with full force, knocking him out
Before the other could reached for his weapon, Trent kicked him on the groin, and punched his gut—down.
He whistled after he confirmed that they were unconscious.
Marie walked to him, looking at the men on the floor.
"Wow... I thought they said you sucked at combat" she looked at him.
"Doesn’t mean I can’t improve" he replied with a smirk.
She raised her leg to walk over the bodies, opening the door.
"What do we do about them?" She whispered.
"Just help me move them inside"
They dragged the men inside and locked the door.
She glanced at him.. was he always this strong?
What the hell was wrong with the Program? She gulped as he turned to her.
"Marten" Gentely called groaning, "goddammit..."
Trent walked slowly to the edge of the room, picking up an envelope that was stashed in the corner.
"Shall we?" He grinned, handing Marie a gun.
She corked the silencer into the gun and blocked her nose, pushing him forward.
Trent pushed the door slightly with his leg. Luckily, Gentely had left it open.
The smell hit his nose from the gap in the door. Ugh.
Just how much laxatives did they use?
"Hello, Senator" he said as he flung the door open.
Gentely froze as he saw them.
"Fuck..." Marie groaned, backing off
"What the fuck do you eat?"
Trent hushed Gentely as he was about to shout, showing him the gun and pointing at the men.
"You’re going to talk..."
"But you see— we don’t trust you. So to make sure..."
He held up the vial of truth serum.
Gentely nodded his head, realizing he didn’t have any choice.
"You’ve got this, yeah?" Marie asked.
Trent looked at her. He handed her the envelope— there was also a burner phone in it.
Trent took 10ml syringe of the serum and injected Gentely.
Gentely confessed to the treason as Marie recorded on her phone. He also confessed to offering information to Kraven.
"Wait... Did you just say Basketball tournament?" Marie asked.
Trent tightened his grip on Gentely’s shoulder.
"Yes... I’m going to reveal information about a handler that has naturalized to them and played for their basketball team" Gentely said.
"All aspects, huh?" Trent murmured recalling the briefing.
"You’ve got that all recorded, yeah?"
Trent looked at Gentely who mumbled some words.
"You know what?" he turned to Marie
"I’ve discovered that I hate dirty work"
Marie scoffed, looking at him. "We’ve got to kill him though"
Trent exhaled. He took more of the serum into the syringe.
"What are you doing?"
"10ml for getting information"
"What do you think 100ml does?" He looked at her.
"He’ll have a heart attack and die"
Gentely flinched as he heard them, "I don’t want to die" he begged.
"They have my daughter..." He muttered.
Trent hesitated as he heard him, grinding his teeth.
"I’m sorry, Man. We’ll take care of the rest" he closed his eyes and injected him in the chest.
"Place the call" he positioned Gentely on the toilet seat and stood up.
The call rang twice and cut.
Immediately, four men dressed as waiters walked in.
"Leave Gentely there... We can say he died of heart attack" Trent instructed them passing them the envelope with everything.
"Take care of those guys"
They nodded and carried the bodyguards away.
"Give me your jacket" Marie stretched her hand.
She took off his jacket, loosened his tie and untucked his shirt a little.
Then she roughed up her hair.
"Help me unzip the dress a little"
Trent pulled her zip down a little, realizing what she was planning.
It would definitely cost them a little reputation, but it was necessary.
"Let’s go" she exhaled, looking at his dress.
As they reentered the hall, whispers followed them.
Marie stumbled slightly.
"Easy," Trent murmured, brushing her back.
"They’re seeing what we want them to see."
Seeing her almost trip like that gave him an idea.
He called one of the waiters to give him a microphone, which was permitted by the person speaking.
"Our honeymoon’s been... delayed," Trent announced.
The room laughed. All eyes on Marie.
"You can’t have enough when you’ve got such a beautiful wife"
He pulled her into his arms.
"I hope you’ll permit us to have some fun... We rushed here because we couldn’t fail your graces" he bowed.
Marie smiled, leaning her head on her shoulder, "what the hell are you doing?" She whispered
"Of course, Mr. Ackerman" the person speaking laughed
"Your Father-in-law left immediately you went for your wife"
"I guess he’s still preparing us some gifts— that’s why he’s the best" Trent laughed.
"Most of us are interested in your investments... We hope you’ll have time for us soon"
"Of course... Thank you all for letting me go back to enjoy time with my wife" Trent bowed, handing back the microphone.
The people applauded as they walked off.
Marie called Anton as soon as they entered the car.
"Hey, kid" Anton answered the phone.
"I heard it went well. Good job"
Trent glanced at Marie.
"Well, yeah. That’s the job, no?" Marie scoffed.
"Head back to the helipad site"
"No" Trent cut in. "Not yet"
Marie looked at him. What was he thinking? His mood changed when they got into the car.
Trent pressed the button to call the driver.
"How may I help you, Sir"
"Take us to the fanciest bar in city"
Anton fell silent for a while, followed by a deep sigh.
"See you soon, Kid" he said, cutting the call