Chapter 1323
“You have no authority to change the tournament rules p>
Both sides were inches away from a physical brawl.
Right at that moment, the Severian Chief Arbiter overseeing the waiting room stepped forward.
Holding the microphone, he looked over at the Elyndor team, feigning an expression of deep reluctance and profound pity.
He cleared his throat, acting as though he were the ultimate voice of justice. “In light of the joint protest filed by multiple international contestants… and to uphold the rigor and fairness of this prestigious event p>
“I hereby announce that due to personal reasons resulting in a failure to appear on time, Elyndor’s representative, Serena Lancaster p>
The Elyndor team’s faces drained of color as they instantly shouted that this was completely despicable.
Lydia was so desperate she was on the verge of tears.
A flash of vicious triumph crossed the Arbiter’s eyes as he prepared to deliver the final blow. “Contestant Serena Lancaster p>
*BANG p>
A massive, thunderous crash echoed through the room.
The heavy metal double doors of the waiting room were brutally kicked open, slamming violently against the walls.
Everyone instinctively whipped their heads toward the entrance.
Framed against the blinding hallway lights, a slender, striking figure strolled inside with unhurried grace.
The girl’s hands were shoved casually into her pockets.
She wore the black-and-crimson Competition Gear of The Elyndor Delegation Uniforms, making her look exceptionally tall and effortlessly lethal.
Her long hair was pinned up loosely with an ebony hairpin.
A baseball cap sat low on her head, revealing only the lower half of a flawlessly beautiful, impossibly cold face. Her skin was luminous, her lips a stunning crimson.
She walked with a lazy, measured stride, entirely unbothered as she stepped into the waiting room.
When she lazily lifted her cold, clear eyes, the air in the room seemed to violently freeze.
Serena let a smirk pull at her crimson lips, her voice chillingly soft. “Announcing what p>
The Arbiter broke out in a cold sweat the moment her gaze landed on him. He opened his mouth, his hand trembling around the microphone.
It was Serena Lancaster!
She… she had actually showed up!
She made it before the official match started!
Lydia’s eyes lit up instantly, practically screaming in excitement. “Captain p>
Caleb and Mr. Ashwell let out massive sighs of relief.
The suffocating anxiety that had been strangling the Elyndor team instantly evaporated, replaced by an overwhelming surge of adrenaline and profound vindication!
On the flip side, the contestants who had just been aggressively demanding her disqualification froze completely.
Especially the competitors from Severia and Norvane.
Their faces looked as if they had just been force-fed garbage.
Serena kept her smirk, raising a lazy eyebrow at the Arbiter, and let out a low, slow drawl from the back of her throat. “Hmm p>
That single syllable was enough to send a violent shudder down everyone’s spines.
The Arbiter swallowed hard, his lips trembling.
Before he could scramble to find an excuse to save himself.
From the exclusive VIP staircase connecting to the executive suites on the side of the room.
A deeply oppressive, low, and terrifyingly cold male voice drifted down from above. “I’d also love
hear what the Chief Arbiter was about to announce p>
Everyone jerked their heads up.
Standing at the top of the stairs.
Nicholas Blackwood stood tall, one hand in his pocket, radiating an untouchable,
aristocratic elegance.
He began to descend the steps.
Right behind him followed three massive bodyguards” in tailored black suits and sunglasses, each projecting an aura of pure, unadulterated terror.
The moment the four of them appeared.
The atmospheric pressure in the entire executive zone seemed to brutally plummet.
Nicholas stopped directly in front of the Arbiter.
Tall and impossibly imposing, the man stared down at him with an overwhelming, predatory gaze.
There wasn’t a trace of warmth in his striking eyes-only an absolute, freezing void.