Chapter 319
Chapter 319:
That flicker of surprise vanished as quickly as it came.
“Regardless, this doesn’t eliminate the suspicion. Miss Vance, you have two options. First, void the current designs. You’ll redraw everything under full surveillance. No extra time will be given p>
The tablet felt heavier in my grip.
There were maybe three hours left.
I spoke slowly. “And the second option p>
“Immediate disqualification p>
“On what grounds p>
Dubois shrugged. “My hands are tied. We have to protect the integrity of the competition. Letting you continue when there’s a possibility of cheating would be unfair to the others p>
“Accusing me without proof is what’s actually unfair p>
She shook her head, patronizing. “It’s not an accusation. It’s just suspicion at this stage, but it’s going to affect the rest of the contestants. If you truly cared about this craft, you’d approach the contest with honesty. Not shortcuts p>
“Oh, fuck off. I didn’t take shortcuts, and I didn’t cheat. This competition means everything to me. I’d never sabotage it. You know that. You know I didn’t do anything wrong p>
Octavia nodded. “Yeah p>
I straightened my shoulders and stared right at Dubois. “And I wouldn’t need to cheat. I can out-design every one of those other contestants in my sleep. What would I even gain p>
“The footage cuts out exactly when Miss Grey entered. Just here, nowhere else. Explain that p>
“That’s your system failure, not mine.” I shrugged. “I’m not here to explain your tech problems. You think I cheated? Prove it. Otherwise, stop acting like the victim owes you an explanation p>
Latest updates only on gαℓησν𝒆ls․com
Octavia chimed in, “Exactly. You think we pulled off some elaborate scheme in sixty seconds? Then you’d better tell us what, exactly, you think happened p>
Dubois’s gaze dropped to the floor for a second before she straightened up again.
“Fine. We’ll open a formal inquiry. We’ll find out whether the equipment failed or if Miss Grey used a signal jammer. But”—she gave a short, smug laugh—”an investigation takes time. If you refuse to submit a new draft now, we’ll take that as a voluntary withdrawal p>
Octavia tugged me aside. “This whole setup reeks. I smell a trap. Screw them, let’s walk. Don’t let them treat you like shit p>
I didn’t move. “If I walk now, I’m handing them the narrative. That’s as good as admitting guilt p>
“You’ve got three hours. Can you even pull off a brand-new concept in that time p>