Kevin immediately turned pale. He had no idea what the answers were. The proposal he had submitted was a different, generic one prepared by a consultant, filled with general business jargon without the in-depth details Joni was asking about.
He tried to whisper to Vania, hoping to save himself, but Joni swiftly ordered a staff member to separate them.
"Mr. Kevin, please do not disturb her. I want to hear your answer directly," Joni said in an indisputable tone.
Kevin fell silent, cold sweat beginning to trickle down his temples. He was speechless.
Seeing Kevin's incompetence and his sneaky attempt to steal credit, Joni Lunggana's anger finally erupted. His face was flushed red.
"So this is how Sentosa Group plays, huh?!" he thundered, his voice booming through the silent room. "How dare you try to deceive Laguna Group! What do you take us for, huh? Did you think with your lies and arrogance, we would give this multi-hundred trillion rupiah project to you?"
He pointed a finger trembling with anger at Kevin. "Listen carefully, Mr. Kevin. If this is the representation of Sentosa Group's integrity, then not only is this cooperation canceled! I will ensure that Laguna Group and all its affiliated companies will boycott Sentosa Group! I will crush your business until not a single bank is willing to lend to you! You have been playing with fire!"
The threat was real and terrifying. Everyone in the room fell silent, holding their breath.
They knew this wasn't just talk. Joni Lunggana had the power to do it.
Meanwhile, Dennis, who had been secretly recording the entire incident with his phone, immediately made a video call to Grandma Heidi. He showed her live how Kevin was humiliating himself and the family, and the terrifying wrath of Joni Lunggana that could destroy Sentosa Group.
Seeing the situation was on the brink, Grandma Heidi, receiving the video call, panicked. With trembling hands, she called Kevin.
"Kevin! Step back! Right now!" she yelled through the phone, her voice full of panic and anger. "Let Vania handle it! The important thing is that Sentosa Group is still chosen! Don't ruin everything because of your ego!"
Kevin, hearing the anger and fear in his grandmother's voice, finally shrank back.
His arrogant face was now filled with shame and defeat.
With his head deeply bowed, he retreated from the podium, leaving Vania alone in front of everyone who looked at her with astonishment, amazement, and a little sympathy.
Though defeated and humiliated, a plan for revenge began to form in Kevin's heart. Let Vania win today, he thought maliciously. Later, when the project is underway, I will take over from the inside. I will make sure she fails, and I will be the one to save the situation.
Meanwhile, Vania was still standing at the podium, slightly dazed and disbelieving of everything that had just happened. She looked towards Joni Lunggana, who was now smiling warmly at her again.
"Congratulations, Mrs. Vania," Joni said, shaking her hand in front of everyone. "Your proposal is outstanding. Let's discuss the cooperation."
For the first time, Vania felt acknowledged. Not as a granddaughter, but as herself. And for some reason, in a corner of her heart, she remembered Davin again, her mysterious husband, who had unknowingly brought her to this moment of victory.
---
From behind the one-way glass on the second floor, Davin watched the entire drama unfolding in the main conference room with deep emotion.
A faint smile spread on his lips, not a smile of arrogance, but the satisfaction of an architect seeing his plan materialize perfectly.
Every step, every line of dialogue, every expression—it all went according to the scenario he had arranged with Joni Lunggana.
His gaze followed Vania, who, from a nervous and doubtful woman, slowly but surely stood tall before everyone, including her arrogant cousins. He saw the fear in her eyes change to confusion, then bewilderment, and finally—as Joni Lunggana welcomed her warmly—a spark of pure confidence and pride appeared on Vania's face.
Davin felt a strange sense of relief.
Three years.
For three years he had watched Vania being treated like a second-class citizen in her own family, looked down upon simply for choosing—or more accurately, being forced—to be with him. Every insult Vania received because of her "ride-hailing driver husband" status was a wound he also felt. But today, he could finally start giving her a victory. An acknowledgment.
He watched Kevin retreat with a face flushed red with shame and anger.
Davin could almost hear Kevin's thoughts, full of vengeful plans. But that didn't worry him.
On the contrary, it was part of his larger plan. Let the snake show its fangs, it will be easier to break them later.
His goal was simple yet profound: he wanted Vania to be acknowledged. Not out of pity, not because of blood relations, but because of her own abilities.
The giant project from Laguna Group—his own company—was the perfect stepping stone. Its fantastic value would force the Santosa family, who worshipped material success, to no longer look down on Vania. Grandma Heidi, who had always seen her as a disappointing granddaughter, would be forced to shift her gaze. Mother Sri, who always belittled her, might start to think twice.
Kevin and Dennis, the competitors, would be forced to at least give minimal respect.
This wasn't just about winning a tender. It was about restoring the self-esteem of a woman who had been trampled by her own family. It was about proving that a person's worth is not determined by who their husband is or where their money comes from, but by their intelligence, hard work, and integrity.
Davin hoped that with this victory, Vania would begin to see herself in a new light. That she would realize she had the power to control her own life, regardless of family and societal pressures.
He also hoped that, slowly, this would open a path for the two of them. Perhaps one day, when the time was right, when Vania was strong enough, he would be able to reveal his true identity.
And maybe, just maybe, their forced marriage could transform into something more—something based on understanding, respect, and who knows, even love.
Davin took a deep breath. The show downstairs was almost over. Vania was now shaking hands with Joni, surrounded by congratulatory Laguna Group executives. The spotlight seemed to shine on her, making her the center of attention—a position that should have always been hers.
With a feeling of relief and a little hope, Davin turned away from the window. The mission for the day was accomplished. Now, it was time to return to his role as "Davin the pauper son-in-law," waiting outside to pick up his wife, who was now the most influential woman in the room.
An ironic contrast, but it was the mask he had to wear for a while longer.
He left the observation room with calm steps, leaving the luxury and power behind, and diving back into the disguise he had chosen.
But in his heart, there was satisfaction that today, at least for one day, justice had been served for Vania.