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

6

“Unfortunately,” Chloe said, her voice laced with a sweet poison, “he’s just a salesman. That’s not the kind of man we expected for Luna.”

She didn’t look at Elias when she said it. As if acknowledging him would be giving him too much.

Ryan folded his arms. “He hasn’t earned my approval,” he added, blunt. “And I don’t see how he ever will. A man like him can’t offer Luna anything real.”

He glanced across the table, toward Fredrick.

“But Fredrick,” Ryan said “now there’s a man with a future. He’s the heir to the Whitmore Group. They handle international real estate. A company worth hundreds of millions.”

Chloe nodded quickly. “And it’s not just that,” she chimed in. “They’re backed by Umbratech Corporation. Do you understand what that means? One of the most powerful tech firms in the country is behind their business. It’s no wonder Fredrick is already being considered for executive roles. At his age.”

Fredrick didn’t speak. He didn’t need to. The smug smile on his face said it all.

“They’ve got factories, patents, exclusive supplier deals,” Ryan continued, warming up. “Everything. They’re not just rich. They’re connected. That’s the kind of man who can give Luna security.”

Chloe leaned forward slightly, resting her hands on the table. “We’re not being unreasonable, Father. We just want what’s best for our daughter. And Fredrick is clearly the best option. He can take care of her. He can give her the kind of life she deserves.”

Fredrick continued, looking directly at Harold. "I’m perfect for Luna. I’ve got everything she needs. I know how to treat her well. I’ll make sure she’s never lacking anything."

Luna stared at Fredrick, fighting the urge to scoff. If he hadn’t groped her like some entitled creep at the restaurant yesterday, maybe she’d believe him now. He was such a convincing liar.

Now she remembered why she wanted a fake boyfriend to begin with—To keep people like Fredrick far, far away.

Harold leaned forward, setting down his wine glass. The clink against the table silenced the room.

“Enough.”

His gaze shifted to Chloe. Then Ryan. Then Fredrick. He studied them like broken machinery—something that should’ve worked, but failed.

He turned to Elias.

“You work in sales?”

Elias nodded once. “I do.”

Elias gave no explanation. He didn't see the need, He also didn’t bother to clarify he owned the company Umbratech ,the same company they were scrambling to impress. To him, That would ruin the fun.

Harold stared at him.

Long and hard, like a man trying to solve a riddle he didn’t like the answer to. The silence was long enough for most men to sweat. But Elias didn't

Suddenly Harold gave a single, sharp nod.

“Good.”

Chloe blinked. Ryan sat up straighter,he was visibly shocked.

Fredrick frowned, visibly irritated that Elias had passed a test he hadn’t seen coming.

Harold ignored them all. His judgment had been made.

“I don’t care what the title is. I care about two things—can you hold your ground when the roof caves in? And can you keep my granddaughter safe when it does?”

His voice echoed across the room.

“If you can do that, I don’t give a damn whether you sell cars or caviar.”

He reached for his glass again, then paused.

“You seem calm, boy. I like calm. It means you’ve been through worse.”

A moment passed.

Then, casually, as if discussing the weather, he said, “I’ll make you an offer.”

He leaned back.

“Come work for me. Half a million a year. Flexible schedule. Senior position. Full benefits.”

Luna’s breath caught. She looked at Elias, eyes wide.

Elias didn’t move.

He blinked, surprised by the offer. He had expected a lot of things, but this wasn’t one of them. It was hard to tell whether Harold was genuinely being kind or testing him, but Elias had no intention of taking the bait.

He glanced down at Luna, who leaned in, whispering softly to Elias, "Please, accept it. It could make things easier.

A wry smile played on Elias’s lips. The offer didn’t faze him in the slightest. Five hundred thousand a year? That was barely half of his daily income.

Elias gave Luna’s hand another squeeze before speaking “I appreciate the offer, Mr. Harold. But I don’t need it. My work supports me just fine.”

Harold’s eyes widened slightly at the refusal. He had offered a substantial amount, yet Elias had turned it down so easily.

"Delusional," Ryan sneered. "This man is poor,broke, unwilling to work hard, and yet he thinks he’s worthy of my daughter’s attention? It’s beyond me how Luna could be so blind."

Fredrick snorted in agreement. "Not only is he poor, but look at him. He can’t even afford a decent gift. What kind of man shows up with a expecting to impress anyone?"

Harold stayed silent, his eyes fixed on Elias. He didn’t blink, didn’t shift. Just watched, like he was trying to figure him out.

And in that moment, there was a hint of respect in his eyes.