Chapter 168:

"Come on, follow me.", his sister took his hand, and then led him down the garden, to a secluded spot. It was a dome, with shrubbery forming a cover for them. Small rays of sunlight were let through, and it gave the whole thing an almost fantastical look. Ace sat down where he was motioned to do so.

"So, what was that?", he asked, and suddenly, his sister's face changed. Her facade melted away, into a picture of worry. "You can't be too careful, for now though, what I can tell you is this, some people are looking for me, and they might be listening to us from anywhere, even her. If you want to talk, just tell me, and we will go to some of the more secluded spots, there are quite a few of them that are safe. And also, before you ask, Samantha knows about it, but she wants me to figure it out, which I guess is fair enough."

Ace nodded, and patted her shoulder comfortably, "I understand, don't worry, do you know who is looking for you?", she shook her head, "No, all I know is that I pissed off some pretty big people.", she sighed, and looked at him dead on in the eyes, "Ok, I will see what I can find, for now, I recommend you don't leave the Tower."

She shook her head, "I was not planning on doing so, plus,", she said, smiling, "I want to see my little brother, It has been a while, and he is super grown-up.", she grinned cheekily, and so did Ace.

***

They ended up spending the rest of the day together, they went scuba diving and jet skiing, and went to a restaurant together for dinner. Once Ace got back to his floor, he changed clothes, having already taken a shower before eating, then, he laid on his bed, his tablet in his hands.

He made a few quick notes, recording anything he had noticed that could be of help in the future. Then, he made detailed sketches of various facial quirks she had. These could be fake, but he noted them down anyways. After about two hours of work, he was finished, and he set the tablet down, before loading a movie on the television that was right in front of his bed. A gargantuan piece of technology, the best influence and money could get.

In this way, drinking coke, eating popcorn, and watching movies, was how he spent the rest of his night.

***

"So, how is your holiday going?", Amy asked, her image clear on the tablet, "It's ok, to be honest, once people start coming in, only a few days left now, this is going to liven up, and it's going to get pretty crazy, when are you guys coming?", Ace asked.

Amy smiled, "Should be about a week,", we would have gone earlier, but my sister had an exhibition we could not miss.", she felt the need to justify herself, even if she knew Ace would always understand.

"Ah cool, I wish I could be there honestly, do tell her though, that there is some pretty insane scenery around here, I'll have to take her some time.", a flash of emotion crossed her eyes, Ace saw it, but decided to simply ignore it.

"Well, it was a nice talk, but we will probably have to leave soon. Hope you have a nice say, see you soon!", Amy smiled, and Ace nodded, waving goodbye.

'Well, at least things should get more fun in a few days. People are going to start coming in…', "Alfred, display the list of guests for the next few days please.", he asked, and Alfred did so, a holographic display showing him a list of names.

Ace committed them to memory, ensuring that he remembered everything there was to know about them. This would make everything easier, he would have to meet and greet them of course. And the eventual parties or galas he would most certainly have to attend made it so that he would be forced to socialise with them, whether he wanted or not. Luckily for him, he enjoyed it, the game, two people, circling each other, looking for an opening, and when they saw a chance, they would strike. It also helped that after two years of practice, he was just as good as his grandmother now, and she was the best of the best. If anything, all Ace needed was more experience, which this would be great for.

***

"You ready?", his grandmother asked him, the first few guests would come soon, and they would have to greet them. The first ones to come were the most important, and so they would have to ensure that it was all good.

"Madam, they have just landed, they should be getting through momentarily.", a man came and told them, his grandmother nodded, "Thank you, Ryan, please make sure that it's all ready for their arrival."

"Of course madam, do not worry.", he bowed, before walking off to ensure everything was ready.

"So, the plan?", Ace asked, his grandmother looked at him and smiled warmly, something Ace was still not fully acclimated to. "Nothing - for now, anyway. Just focus on having fun, I did hear they have a niece they dote on…", Ace shot her a glare, and she laughed, "It's a joke, it's a joke.", but then, she looked at him seriously, "You understand what may need to be done, yes?", she asked, and he nodded, "It's not like it would be the first time.", he said, and she nodded, clearly both proud and happy with his response.

Ace breathed out, and then smiled, walking towards the family of three that came towards them. The elderly couple and a girl that seemed to be slightly older than Ace, he knew she was 17, her birthday having been a couple of days ago.

They were the heads of the Rye empire, which handled over 30% of the world's nourishment. They were a huge company, which held immense power - who did not need food? They had the power to crumble a country's economy, by simply raising the prices at will. They had enough disposable income to handle any after-effects.

Ace and Samantha smiled and greeted them, "I hope your trip was fine?", she smiled, and the man nodded, "Manageable.", his smile widened as he saw Ace, and went up to him, intent on shaking his hand. "Good morning, I have heard quite a bit about you, young man."

"All good, I hope.", Ace said, as he grinned, and shook the man's hand firmly, but without the intent to hurt, the man noticed Ace's intention, and looked at him appraisingly, before settling on a content nod. "Of course."

Ace then looked at the matriarch of the biggest food empire in the world, and smiled, taking her hand and kissing it gently, "You look as wonderful as ever", Ace flashed a smile that would have made anyone blush, but she just smiled, "And a gentleman, as well, Samantha, you truly have a wonderful grandson.", she then prodded the girl to her side to say something, but she seemed mystified with Ace and his smile.

"Good morning, miss. You look as beautiful as always. Happy birthday, by the way, I know I am a few days too late, but I hope you can forgive me. I also have something for you, so please come see me when you can, I think you would like it.", Ace flashed his smile, but this time, at full force.

'The game has begun.'