Chapter 997
Thanks to the Doyle family’s vast connections, Bianca Doyle had gotten her hands on the question banks from previous years, and even some of the current mock
exams.
Now, she was entirely in her element.
Her team members’ fingers flew across their keyboards at lightning speed, typing
without a single pause.
Confident smiles graced all their faces.
Within the first three minutes of the match, Dreamscape Alpha’s score skyrocketed, firmly securing their place in the top tier.
Right behind them were Dreamscape Beta and Dreamscape Gamma.
They completely crushed the elite teams from other top-tier universities.
On Caleb Sommers’s side, however, it was a different story.
“What’s going on?” Jasper Sterling gasped.
Right after the match started, they had tried to log into the competition system.
Instead of the login interface, a glaring red light flashed across their screens.
It was followed by a frantic warning siren.
A massive red exclamation mark popped up.
[System Error. Attempting to reconnect p>
Then came an agonizingly slow loading bar.
At this rate, the match would be over before their computers even booted up.
“It’s a virus,” Caleb said, his expression darkening. “Our computers have been infected with a virus p>
“How is that possible?” Vanessa Vance scrambled to hit keys. “Marington College specifically provided this equipment for us p>
Caleb clenched his fists and scoffed.
Marington had provided it, sure. But as a board trustee and the biggest sponsor of this event, it was painfully easy for the Doyle family to tamper with their machines.
He glanced toward Bianca in the distance.
She was standing with her arms crossed, watching their panic with the casual amusement of someone enjoying a show.
When she caught him looking, she offered a provocative smirk, mouthing a clear message. “Serves you right p>
Time ticked away.
Every other team was busy answering questions and racking up points.
They couldn’t even get into the system.
Tears of frustration welled in Vanessa’s eyes. She raised her voice. “Referee! Our equipment is malfunctioning. We need replacements p>
Official Barrett strolled over, an ID badge hanging from his neck.
He glanced at the screen, feigning ignorance, though his tone was layered with impatience. “No replacements p>
“Why not?” Vanessa pleaded. “This is a hardware issue. We got hit with a virus before it even started. It’s not fair p>
“Fair?” Official Barrett scoffed, gesturing around the arena. “All the equipment was procured and
distributed by Marington. It wentnet
through strict inspections Haw
come everyone else is fine, and only your team got a virus p>
“If you ask me, this is just a lack of technical skill and improper operation on your
part p>
He sneered. “Besides, how can true
computer elites fail to handle a
ainor Virus? If you can even
fix this
what are you doing at the Global Aegis Alliance gauntlet p>
“Asking for a replacement? I think you’re just stalling for time p>
“You-” Vanessa trembled with rage at his twisted logic. Before she could argue he pulled out a yellow.card and slammed it on their desk.
“Causing a disturbance and disrupting the match. First warning p>
“One more word, and it’s a red card p>
A red card meant immediate disqualification.
Having delivered his threat, the official walked away, hands clasped behind his back.
As he passed Bianca’s station, the two exchanged a subtle, knowing glance.