chapter942

Lydia ignored him completely, flipping open her laptop with a flick of her wrist. "Ready?" she asked, not even looking up.

Alfie smirked. "Since you're a girl, I'll let you have a three-minute head start." Lydia laughed under her breath.

If he wanted to put on a show, fine. She'd let him. She couldn't wait to see how long he could keep it up.

Juna rolled her eyes and shook her head. "Trying to show off, huh? What a loser."

Alfie barely had time to settle in when his screen suddenly flashed bright red, warning signals popping up everywhere.

He stared in disbelief.

No way. Did Lydia actually get through his defenses? Did she really just break into his computer, right here?

He tried to stay cool. He was sure he could turn things around.

But before he could even move, his screen went black.

He blinked, stunned.

Then it switched to blue, with a huge red letter drifting across the screen: WEAKLING.

The word floated by, first sideways, then up and down, spinning in every direction.

Alfie felt his blood pressure spike. Was she serious? She just knew a couple of tricks, and she thought she was invincible? He was not about to let her get away with it.

He straightened up. Lydia, I'm starting now!"

He made sure everyone heard him.

Lydia glanced at him, her look pure challenge. Go ahead, she seemed to say.

Alfie put his hands on the keyboard, ready to fight back, but nothing worked. His computer was completely frozen. No matter what he did, the screen stayed the

same.

Panic started to creep in.

He looked over at Lydia, who was sitting there calm and collected, not even breaking a sweat. Meanwhile, his own forehead was starting to shine.

He couldn't believe it. How could he not break through Lydia's virus? One minute ticked by. Then two. Then three.

The word WEAKLING kept dancing across his screen, mocking him. No matter what he tried, nothing worked.

"This... this is impossible. How can this be happening?" he muttered, staring at the screen. "Did my computer break?"

Then a thought hit him. He turned to Lydia, eyes narrowed. "Did you have someone mess with my laptop?"

Lydia pressed her palm to her forehead, exasperated.

How did someone this clueless end up as Capital College's computer genius? Was the bar really that low?

"Lydia! Was it you?" Alfie demanded, his voice sharp.

To him, Lydia looked guilty. The crowd started to buzz, their whispers growing louder.

"Maybe Lydia really did something to Alfie's computer when they were having dinner."

"Yeah, otherwise this doesn't make sense."

"Is she really better than Alfie?"

"How's that possible? Is she some kind of prodigy or something?"

"Come on, computers are

complicated. The country's desperate for tech geniuses. How could Lydia be better than Alfie She must have cheated."

"You all

ed to shut up!" Juna spun

~ ~eed to shut up!" Juna spun

r voice slicing the "You have no idea falking about," Conte

Lydia frowned at Alfie, clearly annoyed. "Switch seats."

Alfie froze.

"You said your computer was the problem, right? Let's switch."

She stood up.

Alfie took her seat, sitting down at her laptop Lydia moved to his computer and her fingers flew over the keyboard. In a couple of seconds, a message poppetup: Vinds removed.

Alfie stared, speechless, but he wouldn't give in. You're just covering your own tracks."

Lydia didn't even flinch. "This time, I'll give you three minutes. Plant your virus on my laptop."

If Alfie wanted another round, she'd give it to him. She'd make him admit defeat himself.

Alfie sat up a little straighter, feeling some of his confidence return.

Last time, you had the advantage with that head start. Now it's my turn. I'll show

you what I can really do."