"And this must be your new husband." Alwin extended his hand. "Kevin, right? I've heard a lot about you. At your wedding, I only caught a glimpse of you and we didn't have a chance to get acquainted."
Kevin shook Alwin's hand briefly. The man's grip was strong, a little too strong, as if trying to show dominance.
"Hopefully for the best." Kevin replied flatly.
Alwin laughed. "Of course, of course. You cured my cousin. The whole family owes you."
But his eyes didn't laugh. They were cold, calculating, judging.
Kevin had seen eyes like that before. The eyes of someone hiding something. The eyes of someone dangerous.
"Well, Vivian." Alwin turned his attention back to his cousin. "I've prepared all the reports in your office. A year is a long time. There's a lot you need to catch up on."
"Thank you, Alwin. I know I can count on you."
"Always." Alwin smiled broadly. "Oh, and one more thing. Starting today, I will return to my old position as Deputy Director. The position of Executive Director is yours again."
There was a very brief pause before Alwin uttered those words. A pause that Vivian may not have noticed, but Kevin caught it clearly.
Reluctance.
Alwin did not want to give up that position. After a year of controlling the company, enjoying the power and privileges that came with it, he had to give it all back to his cousin who was supposed to be dead.
Kevin watched Alwin's back as the man walked away. There was something about the way he walked, the way his shoulders were slightly tense, the way his hands clenched for a moment before he disappeared around the corner of the corridor.
Kevin was almost one hundred percent certain now.
Alwin was the one who poisoned Vivian.
The motive was clear. With Vivian unconscious, Alwin became the leader of the company. Power, money, status, everything fell into his hands. And now, after a year of enjoying all that, he had to give it back?
Someone like Alwin would not give up easily.
Kevin made a mental note. The Root of the Poison Destroyer Spirit that he had planted in the mansion would protect Vivian while she was at home. But here, in the office, Vivian was vulnerable.
He needed to take additional security measures.
---
Vivian's office was in the corner of the building, with large windows overlooking the city. Her desk was made of mahogany, her chair was comfortable black leather. The bookshelves were filled with business and law encyclopaedias. There were several green plants in the corners of the room.
Vivian immediately sat down in her chair and began reading the pile of reports waiting for her. Tina stood beside her, explaining various things efficiently.
Kevin stood near the window, looking as if he was enjoying the view. But his eyes moved, studying every corner of the room.
The ventilation system. It could be used to spread poisonous gas.
The drinking water dispenser. An easy target to poison.
The plants in the corners of the room. Some types of plants can absorb toxins from the air, but these were not that type.
Kevin walked around the room with a leisurely gait, as if he were just looking around. But his hands worked quickly and secretly.
Behind the plant pot, he placed a piece of dry root.
Under the guest sofa, another piece.
Near the water dispenser, in an unseen crevice, one more.
Tina watched his movements suspiciously. "Mr Kevin, what are you doing?"
Kevin turned with an innocent expression. "Just looking around. I've never been to an office this big."
Tina stared at him in disbelief. "This big?" She snorted softly. "This is the Wibisono family office. One of the largest in Aranca City."
"Yes, I know." Kevin replied calmly. "That's why I'm looking around."
Tina shook her head and returned her focus to Vivian. In her mind, it was clear that her mistress's husband was just a country bumpkin who knew nothing. Maybe he could heal people, but other than that? Just a useless country bumpkin.
Kevin didn't care what Tina thought. He had finished planting the protection. Now, even if poison entered this room, the roots would neutralise it before it could touch Vivian.
The door opened without a knock. A young man stepped in with confident strides. His hair was slicked back with shiny gel, his suit looked expensive, and his expression showed someone who was used to getting what he wanted.
"Miss Vivian!" the man exclaimed in an overly cheerful tone. "I never thought you'd actually come back! We're all so happy!"
Vivian looked up from her report. "Bill. Thank you."
Bill. Kevin quickly sized up the man. Mid-twenties, conventionally handsome, and clearly smitten with Vivian from the way his eyes followed her.
"How are you feeling now?" Bill stepped forward, stopping too close to Vivian's desk. "Are you sure you're well enough to return to work? Maybe you need more rest—"
"I'm fine, Bill." Vivian smiled politely but kept her distance. "Thank you for your concern."
"If there's anything you need, anything at all, just say the word." Bill continued enthusiastically. "I'll do anything to—"
His eyes finally landed on Kevin standing by the window.
"Oh." His tone changed immediately. "Who's this?"
"This is my husband." Vivian replied. "Kevin."
Bill froze. His smile disappeared briefly before he forced it back on. "Husband? Oh, yes, I heard there was a wedding while Miss Vivian was still... unwell. I didn't realise..."
Didn't expect me to still be here, Kevin finished the sentence in his mind.
"Kevin, this is Bill." Vivian introduced him. "He's the head of the marketing division. One of our best employees."
Kevin nodded briefly in greeting. Bill responded with a stiffer nod, his eyes assessing Kevin from head to toe.
"So you're the one who cured Miss Vivian?" Bill asked in a tone that seemed incredulous.
"Yes."
"Hmm." Bill tilted his head. "Interesting. I didn't expect a... healer to marry the daughter of the Wibisono family."
There was clear contempt in his words. Kevin didn't respond.
"Bill." Vivian's voice hardened slightly. "Kevin is my husband. I expect you to treat him with respect."
Bill immediately put on an insincere apologetic face. "Of course, Miss Vivian. I apologise if my words sounded rude. I was just... surprised."
Kevin remained silent, but his eyes did not leave Bill. There was something about this man. Not a threat like Alwin, more like... a nuisance. Someone whose emotions could cause him to do foolish things.
Bill persisted for a few more minutes, trying to draw Vivian's attention with various unimportant reports and updates. Every time he spoke, his eyes occasionally glanced at Kevin with a mixture of envy and dislike.
Kevin could read the situation clearly. Bill liked Vivian, probably had for a long time. When Vivian was sick and near death, he might have given up. Because he didn't want to marry a cripple. But now Vivian was healthy again, and his hopes were rekindled, only to find that Vivian had married someone else.
Someone who, in Bill's view, was completely unworthy of Vivian.
Finally, Bill left, leaving the room with heavier steps than when he had arrived.
Tina closed the door behind him, then turned to look at Kevin with narrowed eyes.
"You were circling the room," she said accusingly. "What were you doing?"
Kevin raised his eyebrows. "I told you. Looking around."
"I don't believe that."
"Then don't believe it." Kevin shrugged indifferently. "It's none of my business what you believe or don't believe."
Tina clenched her fists, but Vivian raised her hand before her personal assistant could respond.
"Enough, Tina." Vivian said wearily. "Kevin is my husband. He has a right to be here."
"But Miss Vivian—"
"Enough." Vivian repeated more firmly.
Tina closed her mouth, but her gaze at Kevin remained unfriendly.
Kevin ignored her. His mind had already moved on to other things.
Alwin. Bill. Tina. And who knows who else might be a threat to Vivian.
He had to remain vigilant.