Chapter 1049
Lydia looked thoroughly confused. “Then… why does everyone think there are no cameras? Even Graves thought there weren’t any p>
“Because the illusion of unmonitored isolation is the easiest way to expose those with hidden agendas,” Serena replied smoothly, her gaze drifting over the island’s landscape.
The entire island wasn’t just monitored; it was likely under complete, blind-spot-free surveillance. Aside from the private dormitories, every square foot was being watched.
If any contestant was caught breaking the rules, it wouldn’t matter how perfect their final research data was they would be instantly disqualified.
“But Captain, if there are cameras… what you just did Jasper swallowed hard, a knot of anxiety forming in his stomach.
If the island was heavily monitored, didn’t that mean Serena had just been recorded assaulting an event official?
Serena’s lips curved into a faint, careless smile. “The issue lies entirely with Graves. As a contestant, I was simply defending my fundamental rights against an overstepping official. How is that breaking the rules p>
The rest of the team stared at her in silence.
Did it really work like that?
Serena didn’t elaborate. Instead, she let her gaze fall to the key clenched in Caleb’s hand. “Come on. Let’s go see what kind of hellhole Graves assigned us in Sector Delta p>
Caleb had already memorized the route from the map. He immediately took point, leading them toward the far edge of the island.
The further they walked, the more desolate the surroundings became. The paved paths gave way to broken uneven dirt, and the lush greenery faded into barrenrock. With every step, a sinking feeling settled heavier in their chests.
Half an hour later, they arrived at the location marked as Lab Twelve.
The roar of crashing waves was deafening. Standing alone on the edge of a jagged cliff was a bleak, gray concrete structure, The relentless ocean winds whipped around them, sending sea spray flying so high it felt as if the building itself might be swallowed by the tide.
When they finally pushed open the heavy door and stepped inside, their faces drained of color.
Even with the heavy door shut, the wind howled violently through the cracks, rattling the reinforced frame.
“How… how are we supposed to
work in here? Vanessa’s eyes welled with frustrated tears. She stared at the shaking door “It’s impossible to focus. And with this humidity and salt in the air, the moment we power up the neural matrix equipment, it’ll short-circuit within two hours p>
This wasn’t a laboratory. The Organizing Committee would have to be insane to build a research facility in such hostile conditions.
“There’s something else,” Caleb said, his voice tight. “I calculated the distance based on our walking speed p>
“From here to the cafeteria and the main living quarters, it’s a forty-two-minute walk. One way. Just eating three meals a day will burn up most of our time and physical energy p>
Lydia’s eyes flashed with fury. “This is deliberate sabotage!” She turned to Serena. “Captain, the Doyle family is definitely behind this p>
They were trying to drag The Hope Initiative down by subjecting them to impossible living and working conditions. It was vicious. Since they couldn’t beat them intellectually, they were resorting to underhanded exhaustion tactics.
Caleb looked at Serena. “This just proves how desperate the Doyle family is to win this elite challenge. It means everything to them p>