
The news anchor’s voice echoed on the screen,through the halls of Umbratech headquarters.
"Breaking news—Umbratech has unveiled the world's first hypersonic missile capable of striking any target across the globe in under five minutes. Experts say this advancement cements Umbratech as the top weapon supplier on the planet, securing our nation’s place as a military superpower."
On the screen, images of the missile's successful test launch played, smoke trailing behind it as it tore through the sky. The gathered reporters clapped in unison, their faces beaming with excitement. Headlines flashed across the room: “Umbratech Leads the World”The Man Who Changed Global Defense”.
Cameras flashed. Reporters shouted his name.
Someone called out. “How does it feel to lead the most advanced defense company in history?”
Another reporter chimed in, “What’s next for Umbratech, Are you planning even more groundbreaking developments?”
The crowd on the screen grew louder with excitement, their questions overlapping, eager for a glimpse into the future.
But inside the towering glass office on the top floor, the man behind it all stood still. With his back to the world.
Elias Voss, CEO of Umbratech,stood silent. He just slipped his hands into his pockets and looked out the window. A hundred stories high, the city stretched beneath him like a conquered kingdom.
Behind him, his secretary—and right-hand man—Adams stepped in.
Adams turned off the fullscreen broadcast still playing the news on the office wall. The cheers of reporters and military analysts died instantly, replaced by silence.
“Everyone’s celebrating, sir,” Adams said, approaching with a tablet in hand. “The stock hit record highs. Defense contracts from four countries landed on your desk this morning. The Pentagon called twice. And—” he paused, eyes scanning the screen, “you’ve been named Global Innovator of the Year. Again.”
Elias didn’t flinch. His gaze remained fixed on the city through the massive window.
A faint nod. “Hmm.”
“Sir, they’re calling you a national hero,the God of War.”
He didn’t answer. The praise meant nothing. He hadn’t built Umbratech for headlines. Or awards.
Adams cleared his throat. “Also… the president sent over this.” He handed over a velvet case.
Elias opened it.
Inside sat a gold badge, embedded with a rare royal blue gemstone, the country’s crest etched in its center.
“That's a one-of-a-kind piece,The President’s office also sent a pile of gifts—wines, antiques, luxury watches" Adams said. “It's the president’s way of honoring you. Comes with a dinner invitation. Private. Just you, him, and his wife.”
Elias looked at the badge for three seconds. Then shut the case and set it aside.
“Decline the invitation.”said flatly.
Adams, who had just handed him the case, froze in place. “Sir?”
“I’m busy.”
Adams blinked. Once. Twice. His mouth opened, closed, then opened again.
“That’s… that’s the president,” he said, voice cracking with disbelief.. “
“I know.” Elias leaned back, crossed one leg over the other, and rested his hands on the armrests. His face showed no emotion. No irritation. No surprise.
Adams stared at him, completely baffled. “But—he’s the president,” he repeated, like Elias might not have understood the first time.
“And I’m not interested in small talk over steak,” Elias said coldly.
The room went quiet.
Adams scratched his head. “What’s more important than a dinner with the most powerful man in the country?”
Elias didn’t respond immediately. He looked down at his watch. Then back at the city skyline. His eyes narrowed.
The time was 7:30 PM.
Adams was still staring at Elias like he’d grown two heads.No reaction. No change of expression.
Elias didn’t even blink.
Adams coughed and scratched the back of his neck. “Uh… right. You’ve got that thing tonight—” He looked down at the tablet. His eyes widened. “Oh. The blind date.”
Elias shot him a cold glance.
Adams winced. “My bad, sir. I’ll handle the gifts. I’ll also arrange a car. Give me two minutes.”
He turned so fast he nearly dropped the tablet, then stumbled out of the office like he was escaping a warzone.
Elias sat alone again. He stared at the closed badge case on the table.A gold badge. A dinner with the president. Half the world bowing at his feet.
But All that didn’t matter.
He’d already conquered the industry. Built the empire. Put his country ten steps ahead of every other nation.
He wasn’t getting any younger. The war had been won. The crown was his. But a man doesn’t build a throne just to sit on it alone.
Now he needed something else. A family.
--
Elias sat by the window, one hand resting on the table. A glass of water stood untouched beside him. His black suit was tailored to perfection.
8:45 PM.
The woman was late.
He’d built an empire. The country revered him, and yet, here he was—sitting alone at a dinner table waiting for a woman who wasn’t even on time.
Finally, the door opened. He recognized her immediately.
Miranda Crane stepped in like she owned the place—forty minutes late, and not a hint of apology on her face. Her eyes barely glanced at him, like he was the one who should’ve been grateful she showed up at all.
She wore a revealing dress like she’d mistaken a blind date for a nightclub audition.
With not even Not a single word of explanation. Not even a simple “sorry.” She immediately began talking.
"So," she said, "what is it that you do? I mean, you don’t look like a big shot. No offense, but I was expecting someone... more impressive."
Elias smirked. He didn’t need more than thirty seconds to figure her out. Materialistic, superficial and a waste of his time.
"I’m a salesman," he replied smoothly. "Of sorts."
To Elias, even the world’s top weapons supplier was technically a salesman—selling power, influence, and security to the highest bidder
Her lips curved into a small smirk. "A salesman?" she repeated. "And you’re here, at this fancy restaurant, to meet me? What is this, a joke?"
Elias didn’t flinch. He wasn’t interested in defending himself. She was exactly what he didn’t want—materialistic, shallow, looking for a paycheck.
"Well," she continued, "if you're just a salesman, then I don’t think you’re worth my time. I’m looking for someone who can actually offer me something more."
Her words hit like a slap. But Elias didn’t react. He simply took a deep breath and leaned back in his chair.
The woman pushed back from the table and stood up. "Sorry, but I think I’ll pass. You’re not even in my league. Hell, you’re not even in the stadium." She tossed her napkin onto the table and walked off without another word.
Elias sat there for a moment, still. He wasn’t surprised. The world had always been full of people who wanted something for nothing, who couldn’t see beyond the surface.
Elias didn’t even glance at the woman as she left, his attention now caught by a commotion happening the next table.
A man was standing up, his face twisted in fury, while a woman across from him seemed equally irritated. Fredrick made a move to grab her wrist, but she jerked it away with an angry hiss.
“Let go of me, Fredrick,” she snapped.
“Come on, sweetheart,” Fredrick drawled, leaning forward with a smirk. “Your dad set this up. We might as well get to know each other.”
“You tried to feel me up across the table,” she retorted, pushing her chair back and standing. “I’m not interested. Not now. Not ever.”
Fredrick tilted his head, clearly unfazed. “It’s called chemistry, babe.”
Without warning, he reached out again—this time not for her hand, but lower. She immediately splashed her wine in his face. The red liquid stained his expensive shirt, dripping onto his lap as he staggered back in shock.
Elias felt the sting of the wine hitting his shirt, splashing across his arm. He frowned, wiping it off with a napkin. First, that blind date who acted like he wasn’t worth the seat he sat on.
Now this loud, trashy scene unfolding in front of him. His mood, which was already soured, dipped even lower.
“What the hell—” Fredrick hissed, clearly not used to being humiliated.
The woman turned sharply to leave, but Fredrick grabbed her arm with a snarl. “Don’t walk away from me!”
Elias couldn’t ignore it any longer. The wine stain had soaked into his shirt, but it wasn’t that which bothered him—it was the fact that the man was pushing things too far.
He stood and moved toward the table.
“Let go of her,” Elias said flatly.
Fredrick, still furious, shot him a look
. “And who the hell are you?” he sneered, not recognizing Elias.
“Someone who doesn’t like watching idiots make a scene,” Elias replied. “Now, walk away.”

Latest Chapter
Chapter 15
Miranda's eyes blazed with fury. She took a step forward, heels clicking sharply against the marble floor."How dare you speak to me like that?" she hissed. "Do you even know who I am? My fiancé is Fredrick. Fredrick Whitmore. The heir to the most powerful family in Crewstwick City."Luna blinked slowly, then let out a short, sharp laugh."Fredrick? That bastard?" she said, voice laced with mockery. "You mean the same Fredrick who tried to hit on me few days ago? The one I rejected so hard he nearly choked on his own pride?"Miranda stiffened. “You wish. He wouldn’t touch you with a ten-foot pole.”“Right,” Luna said with a smirk. “That’s why kept forcing himself on me’ Showed up to my grandfather’s party dressed like royalty, arms full of gifts, hoping to win me over. I guess he settled for you when I laughed in his face.”Miranda’s fists clenched. “You think you’re better than me? Just because you’ve got a pretty face?”Luna took a step close “No. I think I’m better than you because
Chapter 14
Elias sighed, turning back to the quiet of the boutique, realizing that peace wasn’t something he could bargain for tonight. Not while she was still standing there.“Trying to pretend you belong, are you? Walking in like some prince when you’re nothing more than a gutter rat in borrowed clothes.” He kept his eyes fixed on the midnight-blue dress he was holding, pretending not to hear. But she pressed on.“Do you really think showing up in a place like this is going to make people forget who you are? Or who you aren’t?” Her lips curled in a cruel smile. “You look like someone who’s been scraping by on handouts.”Elias turned slowly,meeting her sharp, sneering gaze.Miranda stepped forward, heels clicking. “Honestly, I’m surprised they even let you in here. I mean, look at you. You couldn’t afford the cheapest thing in this store if you begged on the street.”She gestured around the boutique, here voice rising so other customers could hear. “You degrade this place just by breathing it
Chapter 13
Luna blinked. “You’re not even the slightest bit bothered?”“I don’t bother with men like Fredrick.”Silence stretched between them again.Elias leaned back in his seat. Luna looked like she wanted to argue more—but didn’t.Luna sat in silence, watching Elias lean back in his seat with that maddening calm of his. No flinch. No frustration. Just the same un face.She pressed her lips together.It wasn’t that she didn’t admire him—she did. More than she wanted to admit. But it was infuriating how little he seemed to care about his own reputation. About what this night could become.Seeing she couldn’t persuade him, Luna gave up—for now. But frustration curled tight in her chest. She wasn’t asking for much. She just wanted to protect him—from Fredrick, from the vultures, from the whispers circling like blood in the water.But Elias had made up his mind. If he insisted on walking into the lion’s den, then she could do nothing except go with him.And at the very least, she thought, if he
Chapter 12
Elias sat alone in his study, a quiet room tucked behind the east wing of his estate. A glass of untouched scotch rested near his elbow. He didn’t drink while working—just liked the look of it.The tablet in front of him displayed quarterly reports. Supply chain delays. And the usual chaos of numbers. He scrolled through it slowly.Then he picked up his phone and dialed.“Adams,” he said when the line clicked.A pause. Then the voice answered.“Sir. Good evening. Everything all right?”“Just needed an update,” Elias said, leaning back in his chair. “How’s the vendor reconciliation going?”Adams cleared his throat. “On it now, sir. I’ve been at the downtown office since morning. Still compiling the figures from East Asia’s procurement files. Should have it on your desk by tonight.”“Hm,” Elias said simply.Elias glanced at the corner of his screen—camera feed showed his private office was empty. Quiet.Few seconds of silence passed.“You’re at the office now?”“Yes, sir. Just wrappi
12
He leaned back in the booth like he owned the air in the room. His lips curled into smirk.“Fredrick Whitmore,The one and only” he said, voice rich with ego. “also the current reason your night just got interesting.”Arrogant. Effortlessly confident. Like the mere act of introducing himself was a favor to the world.Miranda’s eyes narrowed. “I’m only going to ask once,” she said coldly. “Did that piece of trash send you?”Her voice was sharp. She didn’t bother hiding her anger.Fredrick didn’t flinch. Instead, he stretched his arm out over the back of the booth, casually tilting his wrist. The Patek Philippe watch caught the light. He tapped it like he was checking the time—except it was clear he wanted her to notice.And she did.Her gaze dropped to the watch. Then the Montblanc pen. Then his cufflinks. Diamond-encrusted. Classy. Expensive.She leaned in slightly, the corners of her lips curving just enough to suggest interest. The anger hadn’t left her eyes, but it had cooled— repla
10
Miranda Crane walked into the reception of the restaurant with the sort of entitled walk only someone delusional about their worth could muster. She looked around, nose wrinkling in distaste. The place was cramped, dimly lit, and smelled like someone had dumped lemon cleaner over decades of neglect.It wasn’t terrible. In fact, she had dined here before. But only under emergencies. And only when the city’s better establishments had longer waitlists.Not that she belonged here.She told herself that every time she had to endure something so… beneath her. Miranda deserved marble floors, crystal chandeliers, imported champagne. Not this.She walked forward,—until her shoulder collided with something solid. There was a crash. Glass shattered.Miranda’s expression froze before twisting into rage.She looked down. A waiter, a young woman, She was trembling, and scrambling to pick up the broken dishes.Miranda didn’t give her the chance.She grabbed the girl by the arm. “Watch where you’re
9
Fredrick had played his hand well so far—hadn't pushed too hard, hadn't exposed his full intentions. But the evening was far from over, and he still had one more card to play. “Like I previously said,” he began smoothly, Adams will be arriving in the city tomorrow.”He paused before continuing. “He’s taking time out of his busy schedule to visit. We thought a banquet would be a fitting welcome for such an important guest.”Fredrick turned his focus to Harold, locking eyes with him as if gauging his reaction.“What do you think, sir?” Fredrick asked, “Perhaps you and your family would join us this evening? It would be good for Adams to meet everyone here.”Harold didn’t hesitate. “Of course. That sounds like a fine idea.” Fredrick’salmost smiled but he was careful not to let it show too much. His plan was falling into place just as he intended.Harold’s gaze shifted briefly to Elias. It was a brief moment, but Fredrick didn’t miss it. Harold had just looked at Elias like he was asses
8
Chloe’s jaw dropped. Ryan blinked rapidly, as if trying to process what he just heard. Even the butler froze mid-step, eyes fixed on the medal. The room went dead silent. No one had expected thisBut then Fredrick laughed. “It's just a souvenir. You can buy them online these days. Please. A salesman with a presidential honor? Do we look stupid?”He turned to Luna. “You believe this?”Luna didn’t answer. Her fingers clenched under the table. She stared at the badge. It looked real, but... she had only given him $10,000. How could he afford something like that? Elias was just a salesman. It didn’t make sense. Fredrick gave a dismissive wave. “Recently, the president issued a medal, yes. To the real ‘king of war,’ the CEO of Umbratech. But someone like you?” Fredrick laughed cruelly. “You’re just a salesman. How could you ever be the real king of war?” His words sent a ripple of disdain through the room. Fredrick looked at Elias as if the very idea of him possessing such a medal was la
7
Elias smiled.Not because anything was funny—but because Fredrick had already lost. He just didn’t know it yet. At this point, he didn’t even see Fredrick as a threat. Just a clown in an overpriced suit, performing for applause that never came.Fredrick hadn’t earned anything. Not the respect, not the girl, and definitely not Harold’s approval.Across the table, Luna’s patience snapped. “That’s enough,” she said, “You don’t get to talk down to him.”Fredrick’s smirk twitched. He turned his full attention to Elias. “Oh, I’m just getting started.”Elias leaned back, “Then start with this—what did you bring?”Fredrick straightened like he’d been waiting for the spotlight all night. “Glad you asked.”He gave a signal.Two servants entered, carrying a glass display case. Inside sat a green jade Buddha, polished to a shine.“Five hundred thousand dollars,” Fredrick announced. “Ming Dynasty. Certified antique. One of a kind.”Ryan clapped. Chloe gasped. They were all visibly shocked. Only
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