They Called Me Trash—But I am actually the Billionaire Boss

2

Fredrick’s jaw twitched. He dropped the woman’s arm, then stepped up to Elias.

“You know who I am?” His voice was forced. “I could buy this dump and turn it into a parking lot.”

Elias didn’t move. His eyes were cold. “You could,” he said. “But you’d still be the same insecure brat playing dress-up in your daddy’s money.”

He looked at the woman, then back at Fredrick. “Walk away. While you still have some dignity left.”

Fredrick’s face darkened. “Watch it. You don’t know who you’re messing with.”

Elias raised an eyebrow, calm as ever. “Is that a threat?”

“It’s a promise,” Fredrick snapped. He was taller, broader—but all bark, no bite. A child playing dress-up in a suit. “You have no idea what I am capable of ”

Elias didn’t flinch, didn’t react. He’d seen men like Fredrick before. Pretenders who thought size and noise were enough to intimidate.

They were always predictable. Just push a few buttons, let them rant, then watch them crumble

Elias didn’t move. He looked at Fredrick like he was observing a toddler playing dress up.

“You're capable of running your mouth. That much is clear.”

Fredrick’s hand twitched, like he was debating throwing a punch. Elias didn’t move. His eyes were cold, like he’d already done the math on how fast he’d drop the guy if it came to it.

“Go ahead,” Elias said. “See what happens when you push me.”

For a second, Fredrick looked like he might. But then his eyes flicked around the room—people were watching. Phones were up. The staff were frozen. The entire restaurant had gone dead silent.

Fredrick wasn’t just a man losing control—he was a headline in the making.

The woman, still standing nearby, looked more annoyed than afraid “Are you done embarrassing yourself?” she asked Fredrick.

Fredrick gritted his teeth. His face was red—not from shame, but from humiliation. He straightened his coat, trying to recover what little dignity he had left.

“You’ve got no idea what you’re doing,” he snapped “You think this changes anything?”

She didn’t answer.

He leaned in just enough for her to hear, ignoring Elias entirely. “Your dad already signed you off. This is happening—with or without your tantrums.”

Then he turned and walked off, trying to look unbothered. Elias rolled his eyes Fredrick strut off with all the arrogance of someone who thought they owned the world. 

A tap on his shoulder caught his attention. He turned to find the woman from earlier standing behind him.

Now that he had a proper look at her—he noticed how pretty she was . Dark hair. Sharp features. Calm eyes. Chin raised like she didn’t owe the world a damn thing.

“Thank you,You shut him down without even raising your voice.” she said quietly " That could’ve gone a lot worse without you. I appreciate it—really.”

Elias gave her a casual nod, no need for words. He was about to walk away, glad to be done with the whole scene, but then she grabbed his sleeve.

Her grip was firm, pulling him back slightly. She was serious.

"I saw the way she mocked you,” she said, voice calm. “The woman from your blind date.”

Elias raised an eyebrow.

She kept going. “She said you weren’t worthy of her. Said you weren’t even in her league—hell, not even in her stadium. She looked down on you like you were nothing.”

Elias raised an eyebrow. “You were eavesdropping?”

She didn’t blink. “You were loud. The entire restaurant heard you.”

A faint smirk tugged at his lips. Fair enough.

Elias studied her. She was interesting—calm, sharp, and unapologetically blunt. No nervous twitching, no forced smile. Just confidence.

“Look,” she said, taking a deep breath, “My name is Luna and I need your help.”

Elias was intrigued. The situation had taken a sudden turn, and he wasn’t sure whether to be irritated or entertained. 

“You want my help?” he asked. “That’s rich, considering you don’t even know my name.”

Luna didn’t flinch. “I don’t need to. I know exactly what I’m asking for.”

She paused, looking away briefly, as though gathering her thoughts. Elias was starting to think he had underestimated her.

“I need you to be my boyfriend,” she said.

Elias blinked, taken aback for a moment. “Excuse me?”

She gave a small sigh “Just for a few months. You’re the perfect candidate. You’re not loud. You don’t seem like you’d cause a scene. You’re calm.” 

Her gaze met his. “I need someone who looks like they’ve got their life together—most all,someone that can stand up to my family .”

 “You’re asking a stranger to play house after five minutes?”

“I’ll pay you,” she said, “10,000. Upfront.”

Elias gave her a flat look. “I’m not a charity case.”

“I know,” she said. “But you helped me back there against Fredrick. Fredrick ... My parents set me up with him because of his last name. His family’s loaded, connected. It’s all business to them. To them his money equals a better future.”

 She looked away. “But he’s a horrible person. Controlling. Entitled and I don’t want that life.”

Elias couldn’t help but find her interesting.. The sincerity in her gaze was unusual, especially from someone who seemed to be from a prestigious family.

She tilted her head. “So you’ll do it?”

He nodded. There was no need to overcomplicate things with more words. His decision had already been made.

She smiled at once, the relief clear in her expression. Her eyes lit up. Elias didn’t know why, but he found the moment oddly... Cute. Not that he’d ever admit that.

He extended his hand toward her. "Elias Rivers." She took it with a firm grip. No hesitation.

She picked up her bag and grabbed her phone. “Let’s exchange numbers.”

Elias took his phone from his pocket and unlocked it. She was quick to type in her number, her fingers moving fast, and Elias noticed the way she hesitated before handing it back to him.

“One more thing,” She leaned forward, “Tomorrow is my grandfather’s birthday. It's a huge event for my family. His approval is... crucial for everything.”

Elias didn't say anything. He simply stared at her, waiting for the catch.

Luna let out a slow breath before continuing. “If he likes you, the rest of my family won’t put up much of a fight. It’ll make everything easier.”

She paused, letting the words sink in before she reached into her purse and slid an envelope toward him across the table.

Luna slid the envelope closer, pushing it into his hands. “Inside the envelope is thirty thousand. Ten for you. Twenty to buy something nice for my grandfather. Impressions count more than anything, especially with him.”

Elias frowned, handing it back. “I don’t need this”

“I know,” she said, pushing it back into his hands. “But My family values appearances above all else.I’d rather not send you into the lion’s den unarmed.”

Elias watched as Luna pushed the envelope toward him again. She wasn’t backing down. He didn’t need the money, but he understood the game she was playing.

He took the envelope this time, if only to avoid another argument.

Luna glanced at her phone, her fingers tapping quickly across the screen. “I’ve got to be going now,” she said “I’ll text you tomorrow evening. You should be off work by then, right?”

Elias nodded. "I’ll be free."

Luna stood in front of him now, her hand extended. “Nice meeting you, Elias.”

His eyes met hers, and he took her hand firmly“Likewise,” he replied.

She flashed him a little smile, before turning and walking away.The moment Luna disappeared through the restaurant doors, the shift was instant in Elias was instant.

Gone was Elias Rivers, the Salesman. In his place stood Elias Voss—the CEO of Umbratech, the kind of man who never played by anyone’s rules but his own.

His entire demeanor changed. The warmth in his eyes gone cold.

He pulled out a sleek black phone—different from the one Luna had typed her number into. This one was encrypted, custom-built, with no traceable software. It only connected to one person directly.

He pressed a button.

It rang once.

“Sir?” came a confused voice came on the other end.

“Adams. The gifts from the President. Get them back,” Elias said.

There was a pause. “But, sir… you said we—”

“I changed my mind.” He didn’t raise his voice. He didn’t need to.

Another pause.

“Yes, sir. I’ll handle it immediately.”

He ended the call without waiting for a response, slipping the phone back into his jacket.