Chapter 21 - The Scheme

A contented smile played upon Viona's lips as her communication with her brother, Angkasa, unfolded. The confirmation of their safe arrival in Country C was a reassuring note in the symphony of her intricate plans. Angkasa's imminent engagements with the startup ecosystem held profound implications, affording them a strategic vantage that guarded against potential scandals.

Meanwhile, the clandestine guardians she had discreetly employed had furnished her with favorable reports regarding Micka Aruni. This assurance offered a precious gift – the ability to immerse herself in her studies without unwelcome disruptions.

Micka's ventures had not gone unnoticed by Viona's hired sentinels. Several attempts to establish connections with men of moderate influence within YMM Entertainment had been foiled, thanks to the astute intervention of the trio she had meticulously recruited. The tendrils of Micka's intent had been artfully severed, thwarting any potential for scandal. Notably, Micka had endeavored to forge a connection with an enigmatic figure named Arsalan. Cognizant of the complexities such an interaction might entail, the guards had opted to apprise Viona rather than impulsively intervene, demonstrating their allegiance to her directives.

Viona's mind churned with calculated contemplation, fixating on the name "Giovanni Arsalan." She delved into the recesses of her memory, seeking to decipher the connections that linked Micka's actions with the strategic web she had woven around Angkasa. The swiftness with which the scandal had proliferated intrigued her. Unbeknownst to Viona, Micka possessed an ally that had eluded her scrutiny – a collaborator whose influence had propelled the scandal's resonance.

The enigma of Giovanni Arsalan beckoned, his involvement with the twins, Gilang and Galih, and also Angkasa, an undeniable tether that tugged at Viona's suspicions. An inkling emerged – a notion that Giovanni might have extended his covert support to Micka, granting her the tools to expedite the scandal's propagation.

The tendrils of a sinister smile danced upon Viona's lips as a calculated thought emerged from the shadows of her mind. "Why halt Micka's pursuits?" she mused to herself. An alternative approach materialized, shrouded in a cloak of cunning. "Assist her, but let her remain ignorant of our orchestration," she muttered as if formulating a mantra.

Viona envisaged a scenario where Micka ensnared Giovanni Arsalan within the web of scandal. A fate where both unwittingly tumbled into the abyss they had jointly cultivated. The prospect of their mutual destruction imbued her chilling grin with a dark allure, an embodiment of her intricate machinations.

Her fingers moved deftly across the device as she engaged in a conversation with her secret confidants. The plan unfurled – an orchestrated ballet of manipulation, intrigue, and consequence. "You need not hinder Micka," Viona's voice resonated with quiet authority. "Facilitate her actions, but in such a way that Giovanni becomes ensnared within the very trap she constructs. Their mutual downfall shall be our triumph."

Viona found solace in their resolute agreement, a triad of loyalty that had evolved from the seeds she had sown. The silken promise of reward lingered, an added incentive to ensure the symphony played to her tune.

"Should Giovanni stumble into the snares woven by Micka, if the scandal festers and spreads, your tasks shall hasten to fruition," she intoned, satisfaction oozing through her words. "And rest assured, a substantial bounty awaits as testament to your fidelity."

The exuberant chorus of gratitude that followed elicited a soft chuckle from Viona, her amusement a counterpoint to the intricate tapestry of manipulation she wove.

"Boss! We are indebted to your guidance, Boss!"

Her lips curved into a self-assured smile as the connection terminated, leaving her with her thoughts. The fleeting warmth of accomplishment gave way to a more composed visage as she considered the labyrinthine pathways of deceit Micka had chosen. Viona's hope swirled – a hope that Giovanni's response might incite a reckoning within Micka, a reckoning that could mar her unbridled pursuit of fame.

In a symbiotic twist, she envisioned a scenario where Micka, driven by the thirst for recognition, would unwittingly tarnish Giovanni's reputation before an unforgiving public gaze. The scarlet letter of distrust would brand him, impairing his ability to forge connections of any nature. In turn, this dent in Giovanni's armor would dissuade Micka from extending her overtures to Gilang and Galih.

Viona's mind, a cauldron of stratagems, contemplated the unfolding chessboard. With deft maneuvering, she aimed to secure a future that harmonized with her design – a future where the pawns in her play danced to her symphony, a future where two objectives converged into a singular crescendo.

And so, the stage was set, the players moved, and destiny's veil lifted partially, offering glimpses of what was yet to come. The intricate dance of manipulation and retaliation continued, echoing through time's corridors, each note of intrigue and machination merging to form a symphony all its own.