"Kevin is my husband," Vivian cut in calmly. "And as my husband, his opinion is valid. Especially when his opinion is supported by irrefutable facts."
Hans opened his mouth to argue again, but Vivian's gaze stopped him. With a rough movement, he gathered his documents and walked out of the room without another word.
Albert followed shortly after, his head bowed, as if trying to hide his embarrassment.
Alwin remained in his seat, his friendly smile still in place but his eyes cold as ice as he stared at Kevin.
Kevin stared back expressionlessly.
One round for him. But the game had only just begun.
---
After the meeting ended and the room was empty, Vivian looked at Kevin with an unreadable expression.
"How did you know about that seismic fault?"
Kevin shrugged. "I read a lot."
"You read a lot?" Vivian raised her eyebrows. "The seismological data you mentioned is the latest research that was only published two months ago. In a very specific geological journal."
Kevin didn't answer.
Vivian studied her husband's face for a few seconds. "You're not an ordinary person, Kevin Tanjaya."
"I never said I was ordinary."
Vivian smiled faintly. It was the first truly sincere smile she had ever shown Kevin.
"No, you never did."
---
The next day, Alwin entered Vivian's office with a feigned look of concern.
"Vivian, there's something we need to talk about."
Vivian looked up from the document she was reading. "What is it?"
Alwin sat down in the chair in front of Vivian's desk and sighed dramatically. "It's about your husband."
Kevin, who was sitting on the sofa in the corner of the room as usual, showed no reaction.
"Kevin has been in this office for several days." Alwin continued. "And he hasn't done anything. Just sitting, observing, wandering around. Some employees are starting to wonder. They're worried."
Vivian frowned. "Anxious?"
"Well, you know how gossip spreads." Alwin shrugged exaggeratedly. "People are starting to talk. 'Why isn't Miss Vivian's husband working?' 'Is he just a parasite taking advantage of his wife's position?' You know, things like that."
Kevin remained silent, although his eyes narrowed slightly.
Vivian considered Alwin's words. "So you think Kevin needs a job?"
"Exactly." Alwin nodded enthusiastically. "If he has an official position in the company, the gossip will stop. And that's also good for your image as executive director."
Vivian glanced at Kevin. "What do you think?"
Kevin shrugged. "Whatever."
"Alright." Vivian nodded. "Alwin, find a suitable position for Kevin."
Alwin smiled. "Of course. I'll talk to HR."
He stood up and left the room, his smile turning into a smirk as soon as his back was turned to Vivian.
The plan was going perfectly.
---
Two hours later, Bill entered Vivian's office with a stack of documents in his hands and an insincere smile on his face.
"Miss Vivian, I've coordinated with HR about a position for Mr Kevin."
Vivian looked up. "Good. What positions are available?"
Bill pretended to look at his documents. "Unfortunately, almost all positions are filled. The only vacancy left is..." He paused for dramatic effect. "Debt collector."
"Debt collector?" Vivian furrowed her brow..
"The company's debt collector." Bill explained in a tone that tried to sound regretful. "We have some creditors who are... difficult. They haven't paid for months. The previous collector gave up. Some even ended up in hospital."
Vivian raised her head. "In hospital?"
Bill nodded with a feigned serious expression. "These creditors are not ordinary people, Miss Vivian. They have powerful backers. Thugs, local mafia, some even have connections with corrupt officials. Our last debt collector nearly lost his life trying to collect from one of them."
He placed a folder on the table. "This is a list of creditors that need to be collected from. The total debt is around five billion rupiah."
Vivian took the folder and opened it. Her face changed as she read the names inside.
"Bill, this—"
"It's the only position available." Bill interrupted with a fake tone of regret. "Of course, if Mr Kevin feels he is not capable, he can refuse. No one will blame him."
Kevin stood up and walked to the desk. He took the folder from Vivian's hands and quickly read its contents.
Five names. Five creditors who had not paid their debts to the Wibisono Group for years. The notes next to each name explained why they were "difficult": previous debt collectors had been beaten, threatened, one nearly killed.
Bill and Alwin must have planned this carefully. Giving Kevin a difficult job that would make him fail spectacularly.
Kevin closed the folder.
"Alright." He said calmly. "I accept."
Bill nearly choked. "W-what?"
"I said I accept." Kevin repeated. "Debt collector. Five creditors. I'll handle it. Any problems?"
Bill blinked several times, not expecting Kevin to accept without resistance. "No... no problem. It's just that, Mr Kevin, you should know that this is a very dangerous job—"
"I've heard." Kevin cut him off. "Is there anything else I need to know?"
Bill seemed at a loss for words. He glanced at Vivian, who also looked surprised by Kevin's decision.
"Kevin," Vivian began cautiously, "you don't have to—"
"I need a job, right?" Kevin replied calmly. "This job is available. Besides," he glanced at Bill with a look that made the man swallow hard, "it seems like there are people who really want to see me fail. It would be a shame to disappoint them."
Bill paled slightly but tried to maintain his smile. "I don't know what you mean, Mr Kevin. I'm just passing on information from HR."
"Of course." Kevin smiled thinly, but the smile didn't reach his eyes. "Of course."
---
After Bill left, Vivian looked at Kevin with a mixture of concern and curiosity.
"You know this is a trap, right?"
Kevin nodded. "Obviously."
"Then why did you accept it?"
Kevin looked at the folder in his hand. "Because I'm not the type to run away from a challenge. And because..." He paused for a moment. "I have my own way of dealing with people like them."
Vivian studied her husband's face. There was something in his eyes she had never seen before. Not arrogance. Not pride. But a calm and absolute confidence.
The confidence of someone who knew exactly what he was doing.
"Who are you really, Kevin Tanjaya?" Vivian whispered, more to herself than to Kevin.
Kevin didn't answer. He just smiled slightly and walked out of the room, the folder containing the list of creditors clutched in his hand.
The game had just gotten more interesting.