Young God of Knowledge

14 Arousal Powder

The company car stopped in front of the Wibisono Group building. Bill got out first, walking with confidence, a broad smile on his face.

Kevin followed behind with a blank expression.

In the lobby, several employees were already waiting, curious about the results of the first day's debt collection. The news that Kevin had been assigned as a debt collector had spread throughout the office. Most of them expected Kevin to return empty-handed, or worse, beaten up.

But Kevin stood there without a scratch.

"How did it go?" Tina asked, her tone clearly expecting bad news.

Bill immediately took over. "Amazing!" he exclaimed proudly. "Two creditors were collected from in one day! Eighty billion rupiah!"

Whispers of surprise spread among the gathered employees.

"Of course," Bill continued, puffing out his chest, "I went down to face them myself. You know how difficult those creditors are, right? But I managed to threaten them until they were scared and paid up immediately."

Kevin did not react. His eyes scanned the room calmly.

"At Widiacana, I had to face dozens of people." Bill became more excited with his lie. "But I was not afraid. I told them that if they didn't pay now, the Wibisono Group would take the matter to court. They were immediately scared after I knocked three people down!"

Some employees seemed impressed. Others glanced at Kevin with a look of contempt, as if confirming their suspicion that Miss Vivian's husband was indeed useless.

"And at the second company," Bill continued, "I negotiated with the director until he agreed to pay. Kevin? He just stood behind me and watched."

Kevin remained silent.

The lift opened and Vivian came out, followed by Alwin. They both seemed to have just finished a meeting on the upper floor.

"I heard today's collection was successful?" Vivian asked as she approached.

Bill immediately repeated his story with even more dramatisation. Vivian listened, occasionally glancing at Kevin, who stood behind her with an expressionless face.

When Bill finished, Vivian nodded. "Good. Thank you for your hard work, Bill."

Bill smiled broadly, his eyes glancing at Kevin triumphantly.

But Vivian wasn't finished. She walked over to Kevin. "What's your version of the story?"

Kevin shrugged. "Nothing special. Maybe they're just having a lucky streak, so they paid up right away."

Vivian studied her husband's face. There was something she didn't believe about Bill's story. She had studied the track records of both companies. Widiacana was notorious for its violence towards debt collectors. Sentosa Jaya had been unable to pay for years. It was impossible for both of them to suddenly be "lucky" and immediately pay off their debts.

"Kevin," Vivian said softly, "what really happened?"

"Just like Bill said." Kevin replied calmly.

Vivian stared at him for a long time. She didn't believe him, but she didn't want to press him either. If Kevin didn't want to talk, there must be a reason.

"All right," Vivian finally said. "There are still three more creditors. You guys continue tomorrow."

Bill nodded enthusiastically. Kevin just remained silent.

---

After the crowd dispersed, Kevin walked around the office as usual. His eyes scanned every corner, his hands occasionally touching hidden places to check the protective roots he had planted.

Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Alwin talking to someone on his mobile phone. His expression was serious, his voice too soft for ordinary people to hear.

But Kevin was no ordinary person.

With a little concentration, he directed his hearing towards Alwin.

"...yes, I know the first plan failed. Kevin cured her before the poison took full effect..." Alwin whispered in frustration. "...no, we can't use the same method again. She's too wary now..."

Kevin stored that information. The confirmation he needed. Alwin was indeed the mastermind behind Vivian's poisoning.

But he still needed concrete evidence before he could act.

"...listen, I have a new plan. There's someone interested in Vivian. Victor Bernstein, a businessman from Europe. He's agreed to help..." Alwin continued in a softer tone. "...yes, tonight. At the Grandeur restaurant. He has his own way..."

Kevin clenched his fist for a moment before relaxing it again.

Victor Bernstein. Grandeur restaurant. Tonight.

He had to make sure Vivian was safe.

---

That afternoon, as the workday was drawing to a close, Vivian approached Kevin, who was sitting on the sofa in his office.

"Kevin, I have to meet a client tonight," she informed him. "It's a business meeting at the Grandeur restaurant. You can go home first in the company car."

Kevin stood up. "I'm coming with you."

Vivian raised her eyebrows. "It's a business meeting, Kevin. You don't need to—"

"I'm coming." Kevin repeated in a tone that brooked no refusal.

Vivian studied her husband's face. There was something different in his eyes. An unusual seriousness.

"All right." Vivian finally agreed. "But you have to sit at a separate table. I don't want my clients to feel uncomfortable."

"No problem."

---

Grandeur Restaurant was one of the most luxurious restaurants in Aranca City. Located on the ground floor of the five-star hotel of the same name, the restaurant was famous for its elegant interior and sky-high prices.

Vivian and Kevin arrived at seven in the evening. Vivian was immediately shown to their reserved table, while Kevin chose a table in the corner of the room, about ten tables away from Vivian.

Shortly afterwards, a European man in his early forties arrived. He had brownish-blond hair, blue eyes, and a smile that was too wide to seem sincere. His suit was expensive, his watch was shiny, and he wore strong perfume.

Victor Bernstein.

"Vivian!" Victor greeted her with a thick accent. "It's so nice to finally meet you in person. The photos don't do justice to your beauty."

Vivian smiled politely but kept her distance. "Thank you, Mr Victor. Let's get straight down to business."

"Of course, of course." Victor sat across from Vivian. "But there's no need to rush, right? The night is still young. We can enjoy dinner while we discuss things."

Kevin watched from his table. His ears were focused on Vivian's table, catching every word that was said.

An hour passed. The conversation revolved around the potential for cooperation between Victor's company in Europe and the Wibisono Group. Victor continued to praise Vivian, occasionally touching her hand with a seemingly accidental gesture.

Vivian remained professional, keeping her distance but not being rude.

Kevin began to think that maybe he was being too paranoid. Victor was indeed flirtatious, but there were no dangerous signs—

Then Victor took a handkerchief out of his pocket.

His movements were casual, as if he just wanted to wipe the sweat from his forehead. But Kevin saw something else. A fine powder came out of the folds of the handkerchief. It was almost invisible to the naked eye.

Victor covered his nose with his left hand while his right hand placed the handkerchief on the table. It was closer to Vivian than to himself.

The powder began to spread through the air, drawn towards an unsuspecting Vivian.

Kevin stood up.

From his distance, he couldn't identify the powder for sure. But his instincts and knowledge screamed that there was danger.

He walked closer with quick but unhurried steps. The closer he got, the clearer the powder became. And the clearer its identity became.

Arousal Powder.

A rare herbal mixture that, when inhaled, would cause the victim to lose control of their desires. The victim would become extremely "willing" towards anyone nearby. The effects could last for hours, and victims usually did not remember what happened while under the influence of the drug.

Kevin had studied this powder from his teacher. How to make it, how to use it, and more importantly, how to neutralise it.

He saw the changes beginning to take place in Vivian.

Her face flushed. Her eyes were slightly cloudy. Her lips moved differently, more sensually. Her body shifted, leaning towards Victor in a way she was unaware of.