Chapter 1270
A tense silence hung over the call.
Serena’s eyes narrowed as she typed a few commands into her laptop.
Scanning the data Nicholas had sent, she murmured, “They’re using the tournament as a stage p>
Nicholas watched her closely. “My thoughts exactly p>
Her gaze darkened. “You’ve got the global press, national delegations, government officials, corporate sponsors, and top-tier academic data all locked in one location p>
“If a disaster strikes here, the fallout will shatter far more than just Severia p>
“Obsidian Sun intends to trigger massive chaos during the event, potentially inciting a geopolitical crisis p>
Furthermore.
There was likely an even deeper, more insidious motive buried beneath it all.
Nicholas leaned closer to the camera.
Even through the screen, his commanding presence was heavy.
He looked at her, his voice softening with concern. “Serena, you need to watch your back out there. Obsidian Sun will likely use the structure of the tournament to cover their strike p>
His eyes betrayed a deep-seated worry. “Compete as usual, but if things spiral out of control, do not play the hero. Don’t push yourself unnecessarily p>
Serena studied the man on her screen.
Just moments ago, she had him hanging by a thread of restraint, yet now, his sole focus was her absolute safety.
A confident smirk grazed her lips. “Don’t worry. If Obsidian Sun wants to make a move on me, they’d better make sure they have the firepower to back it up p>
Nicholas knew she was right. With her terrifying skill set, she was practically untouchable.
But Obsidian Sun was a vile, unpredictable syndicate. Who knew what atrocities they had developed in the shadows?
What if they possessed biological weapons far deadlier than the Augments?
The tension between his brows refused to fade.
Serena suddenly leaned in.
Her stunningly gorgeous features filled the screen, close enough to make his pulse stutter.
She stared directly into his eyes.
And flashed him a breathtakingly wicked, utterly devastating smile.
It instantly derailed his train of thought.
The desire he had just managed to choke down flared right back to life with a vengeance.
But Serena, lips still curved in that, sinful smile, switched to a painfully innocent tone. “It’s getting late.4 need my beauty sleep for the tournament.”
“Thanks for all the hard work today p>
She winked, her voice dripping with amusement. “Good night p>
Before Nicholas could formulate a response, she added, “Go to sleep early. Don’t
suffer too much on my account p>
And with that, the feed abruptly cut to black.
Back in Vaelion City, inside the master suite of the Blackwood estate.
Nicholas stared at the darkened screen and let out a low, helpless laugh.
It was a laugh born of total surrender.
“What a tantalizing little demon,” he murmured.
He exhaled heavily, trying to quell the burning heat in his chest.
Standing up, he turned right back toward the bathroom.
The cold shower ran for a very long time that night.
That little heartless one had left him utterly wrecked, ensuring he wouldn’t catch a wink of sleep until dawn.
The next morning.
The individual rounds of the Global Elite Academic Challenge officially commenced.
Compared to the previous days, the Severian organizers were noticeably more accommodating toward the Elyndor team Content Belongs
The hospitality staff, officials, and security were aggressively displaying an almost
almost tet
commitment to abet
S.W
Acting as if the shady sabotage from the opening ceremony had never even happened.