Chapter 1016
Official Barrett scoffed coldly. “You are a team. Do you honestly expect us to believe you were completely unaware? When a team commits a violation, the entire team suffers the consequences p>
He turned to Chief Arbiter Alistair Kingsley, expecting immediate enforcement.
Alistair glanced at Bianca’s furious face.
Though the Doyle family was a major sponsor, the crowd was on the verge of a riot. He couldn’t let one spoiled heiress destroy the gauntlet’s reputation.
Alistair opened his mouth to confirm the disqualification when a sharp voice crackled in his earpiece.
He paused, listening intently.
The longer he listened, the darker his expression became.
After a few agonizing seconds, Alistair ended the call and frowned.
He looked at Bianca, then at Serena, and finally at Official Barrett.
Letting out a heavy sigh, he picked up the microphone and addressed the furious crowd.
“Given that the virus failed to cause any actual damage and was successfully countered by Serena Lancaster, we have determined that this interaction falls within the acceptable boundaries of offensive and defensive cybersecurity protocols. It is not an actionable violation p>
“Furthermore, considering The Dreamscape Initiative demonstrated exceptional skill in both scoring and programming prior to the counterattack, and managed to retain enough points to qualify despite the virus p>
“The Organizing Committee has reached a decision. The Dreamscape Initiative will retain their qualification status. However, they will be issued a severe formal warning p>
“Finally, the entire team, specifically Captain Bianca Doyle, must issue a public and sincere apology to The Hope Initiative p>
Official Barrett’s face turned purple with rage as he glared at the Chief Arbiter in absolute disbelief.
Boos rained down from the audience.
Nobody was stupid.
A pre-planted virus was blatant sabotage, not a “defensive protocol p>
This was clearly a corrupt ruling bought by the Doyle family’s millions. The punishment was a joke.
Every team was allowed two
warnings before disqualification. In severe cases, there may even be criminal penalties discussed by the international organizing committee. As long as The Dreamscape Initiative played by the rules for the rest of the tournament, they would walk away completely unscathed.
As for a public apology?
It meant nothing to their permanent records.
Relieved beyond words that their futures were saved, the three Dreamscape
teammates immediately rushed forward.
They stammered out frantic
apologies, nodding fervently toward.
Serena’s desk and begging for forgiveness to save their careers.
But Bianca and Isabella refused to move.
Apologize to Serena?
Apologize to a team of nobodies from the slums?
“Make me apologize? Keep dreaming p>
Bianca snapped, her face twisted
xet
with arrogance. “Who the hell do you, think you are? Youre nothing! I did absolutely nothing wrong.”.net>