Mr. Grador did get in touch with Jeff before the end of the day.They might have become closer, or perhaps some secrets might have been disclosed if Jeff had accepted to work for him when he asked.Jeff, though, had a motive.“What prevented you from telling me that he asked you to work for him?” Professor Paul was astounded by what he heard. He believed that rather than using this competition as an excuse, Jeff ought to have accepted right away.“You could have just accepted, and we wouldn't have to go through all this?”“I had a reason too and besides, I got to join one of the most awaited global competitions in the world” Jeff answered calmly, seeing the fire brimming in his teacher's eyes.Had Victor Grador not contacted Jeff while he was there, Professor Paul would have been unaware of it. “I should have known then. You could have mentioned it to me” Professor Paul let out a frustrated groan, as he packed some of the materials he had prepared for Jeff.“Sorry, I forgot.”Letting
Three days later, Jeff watched all the previous videos used in the competition and wrote down important points.One of his team members who was assigned to him was the departmental head of the computing department.From the day Jeff defeated his best student, he had never been happier to see Jeff.However, since he was assigned to a significant task, he has no choice but to fulfill his duties even though he doesn't feel like it.Normally, he didn't think Jeff could pass the qualifying stage.New Zinland has always participated in the competition but has never been passed the first round. The people they sent to the competition aren't even dullards, they are one of the best and couldn't even make it past the first round.What gave a traditional medicine student the audacity?“We don't know what the theme could be this year, but I will advise you to focus more on the communication theme. They usually don't use this. They might try to change that this year” One of the team members, a wom
"Many thanks for your assistance," the woman said, reaching into her bag. She reached over and extended a bundle of cash toward Jeff. "You can give me a call if you need more. I will give you my number before I leave."Jeff gave the woman a fierce look, his eyes darting back and forth. "Who said I helped you? You kissed me against my will and allowed a lot of people to misunderstand.""And that's why I'm offering you this money. Let's say for the damages. I'm greatly sorry! I really..."Jeff exhaled sharply and said, "Whatever." Before the woman could say a word, Jeff turned around, ready to leave. But the woman grabbed his sleeves with haste, blinking her eyes slowly."I'm really sorry. I am prepared to make up for your anger because I understand how upset you are. I will do whatever I can to..."Letting down a deep breath, Jeff answered "Just let go of me." She instantly released his hand when she saw Jeff giving her a chilly glare. Without saying any other word, she watched Jeff'
Professor Paul was startled out of his reverie by the sound of a knock on the door. He was perplexed by Jeff's extended absence and looked at the clock while fumbling with his fingers for his phone. With a sigh, he rose from his seat.Swinging it open, he was met not by Jeff's familiar face, but by the stern countenance of Gary. Despite the interruption, Professor Paul greeted him with a tentative smile, the tension in the room palpable."Mr. Gary, what brings you here?" he asked in a curious tone of voice.Gary's response was blunt. "I am just curious if Jeff has finally arrived," he said, maintaining a straight face.Professor Paul confirmed Jeff's continued absence with a shake of his head, a small frown appearing on his forehead. "Nope, he's still out and about," he revealed, regret lacing his words.Gary's lips were pressed together in frustration, and it was clear how disappointed he was. "Why is he going around like a merrymaker when the competition is just hours away?" he qu
“Virus!”Gary quickly stood up from the sofa, heading out with his hand in his pocket. As he headed out, a small tiny appeared on his lips, but no one paid attention to him because they were as shocked as him.“Why are they so fucking ruthless this year?!” Mia clenched the hem of her dress, her face twisting into hurt. “I don't think the software organization has messed up like this before.”“It's really okay if Jeff didn't win this round. It's our fault for not informing him about this theme” Drake added, his eyes glued on the TV.Some of the participants were as shocked as him. Some were even trembling.However, Jeff's expression remained the same. He also hadn't expected the theme and was, in fact, taken surprised.Twirling his knuckles, he switched on the computer in front of him as the Host gave out instructions.This competition could go as long as hours if they are not careful.The rules are simple, though.The participants are to create software with a virus theme and attack t
"He did it!"Professor Paul finally laughed after experiencing several small heart attacks over the previous hour. His smile spreading, he cast a quick glance at both Mia and Drake. "Did you see that? He won!" With their jaws almost hitting the ground, Mia and Drake sat there in shock. "How... how was Jeff able to win?" Mia stammered, her eyes wide with shock. Drake shook his head in disbelief. "I have no fucking idea! He simply destroyed the competition, as if he had appeared out of nowhere."Mia nodded, still trying to process the news. "But... but how is that even possible? Jeff isn't exactly known for his coding skills. He took down twelve systems in one go?!"As the realization sunk in, they couldn't contain their excitement any longer. Suddenly, both of them jumped out of their chairs and let out happy shouts. "New Zinland won!" Mia cried out, happiness evident in her voice. "Jeff is the first New Zinland participant to come first in the qualifying stages!"They danced around
"Whoa, I never imagined that I would meet another computer whiz in my lifetime! You took down twelve computers, that's crazy man" With an amused giggle, the man with blue hair gave Jeff a playful tap on the shoulder. "What's your secret, tell me?"Jeff had a bored look listening to Marcus Cuomo, the guy who had forcefully dragged him into his car."You can say anything you want to." With a nonchalant expression on his thin lips, Jeff said, "I have some things to attend to." "Wow, are you in a hurry?" Marcus smiled, his lips curling upward. "Did you hope you would see Alicia? Is that the reason you voluntarily followed me?""I voluntarily followed you? You were clearly drawing unnecessary attention and I would have declined if I want to." With his icy eyes growing even more icy, Jeff shot back, "I was just trying to keep your ass from getting insulted. And who the hell is Alicia?" After winning the qualifying stage, a lot of participants all stared at him with shock. Twelve computers
The world appeared to stop breathing, stunned into a state of suspended disbelief, as Alicia's slap crackled loudly through the air. Marcus's hand went reflexively to his flushed cheek, his shocked eyes wide as though they were trying to absorb the unimaginable."Did you just..." Marcus's voice trailed off, hoarse with disbelief, his gaze locked on Alicia, searching for some semblance of reason in her furious eyes."Why do you always have to be so damn unreasonable?" Alicia's chest rose and fell with the effort of her sprint to confront Marcus, and her voice echoed throughout the room, every word full of pent-up frustration.When she heard the news, she left what she was doing and sprinted here without thinking twice. Marcus's voice rose to match Alicia's intensity as his own anger flared in response. With an accusatory tone, he shot back, "And why are you cheating on me with someone like him? If you want to cheat, find someone of your own caliber!!!"Alicia drew back, the surprise