2
Author: Blue 💙
last update2025-05-07 01:10:46

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.

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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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