Chapter 332
Shakira lowered her gaze slightly. “Since we have two Virmo software engineers here, why don’t we see who is more skilled and more qualified to collaborate with Lopez Group?”
David sneered, glaring at Shakira with a sinister look, “A little girl like you think you get to decide things around here? Just because you say so?”
“And if she doesn’t get to decide, do you?” Sean’s typically easygoing tone turned icy cold.
David was instantly choked up, his face turning red with frustration. Charles, instead of immediately responding, turned to Sean. “Mr. Reynolds, what do you suggest?” After all, the head of Yonder Digital wasn’t someone they could afford to offend easily. Sean shrugged casually. “I’ll listen to her.” With Shakira in charge, Sean naturally deferred to her.
Those simple words left the crowd in awe. They thought, ‘How close must they be for a high-ranking company president to listen to an intern so obediently? Anyone else would have left in a fit of rage at being questioned
Charles’s expression softened slightly, impressed by Sean’s willingness to cooperate. He also supported Shakira’s suggestion for a skills test. It would clarify the current messy situation and help elect the best partner, benefiting all parties involved. Yvette secretly observed Charles’s expression, easily guessing his thoughts. She bit her lip in frustration, not expecting Sean, the CEO of Yonder Digital, to protect Shakira to such an extent.
Taking a deep breath, she put on a facade of cooperative retreat. If Shakira wants a test, then let’s do it.”
Charles nodded, “Since both sides have no objections, how do you two engineers suggest competing?”
Caroline glanced at Shakira and said to Keith, “You decide.”
Keith raised his voice. “Ladies first. Ms. Goodman can decide, and I’ll accept whatever she chooses.” He was confident that he could beat her, no matter the challenge.
Seeing Caroline in a bit of a bind, Shakira arched an eyebrow and suddenly suggested, “How about you both test your skills by trying to breach Lopez Group’s newly reinforced firewall? We’ll judge by the progress made.” The entire marketing team stared wide-eyed, and even Charles’s mouth twitched.
They thought, ‘Who the heck asks someone to attack their own company’s firewall? Good thing we aren’t from the security department, or this would be a nightmare!’ Caroline didn’t hesitate and blinked. “Sure.”
Keith knew just how tough Lopez Group’s security team was. But seeing the prompt acceptance from Caroline, he couldn’t back down. “I have no problem with that.”
Charles waved his hand, instructing his assistant, “Contact the tech department to prepare.”
At that moment, Shakira interjected, “Mr. Gordon, I propose using separate meeting rooms.”
“Enough already! Don’t push it!” David couldn’t hold back any longer and shot an exasperated glare at Shakira.
“Mr. Clark isn’t rushing; why are you, Mr. Harris?” Shakira said calmly. “I’m merely ensuring that the evaluation is fair and impartial, avoiding any issues of copying or cheating, which would just be a bigger headache.”
As she finished, Sean and Cathy both glanced sharply at Yvette. Feeling offended, Yvette’s face hardened, and she forced a smile. “Whatever you say, Shakira. We’ll follow your lead.”
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Before long, Charles’s secretary set up two separate meeting rooms and arranged technical support from the IT department. On the large screen in the N1 room, everyone could clearly see the shared screens of the two computers. Shakira accompanied Sean and Caroline to one meeting room, while David, Yvette, and Keith occupied the other. Once both sides were ready, Charles announced the start of the timing
Keith immediately started coding to launch an attack, while on Shakira’s side… As soon as Caroline was sure no one outside could see inside, she quickly got up and gave her seat to Shakira Shakira, have a seat.” Shakira shook her head helplessly. “Why did you come over?”
Sean pouted, “Shakira, you called so urgently, how was I supposed to find a bunch of extras in such a short time? Cathy was already here, perfect timing! Besides…” Caroline chimed in with a broad grin. “Besides, I insisted on coming! Shakira and Sean filled me in. I haven’t met your boyfriend yet. I want to see him too.”
Shakira thought, ‘So it is a cover. The real reason is gossip. She rubbed her temples. “Today might not be convenient. Next time!”
Watching the timer tick away, Sean began to get anxious. “Look, we can chat later, but Shakira, can you start working?” Shakira only slightly raised an eyebrow, maintaining a calm demeanor. “No rush.”
Sean thought, ‘Not in a rush now? When will she be?’
Wette watched Keith’s fingers fly over the keyboard and felt somewhat reassured. “How confident are you?”
Keith, who was already sweating, replied, “About thirty to forty percent.”
Yvette frowned, dissatisfied, “Why only thirty to forty percent? Shakira cracked it open and accessed the surveillance before
Fully focused on the screen, Keith gave a perfunctory response. Attacking a firewall is one thing. Sneaking in to check surveillance is another. When you launch an attack, Lopez Group’s security team will immediately defend, which is way harder than sneaking in.” “Oh, I see.” She thought, ‘Berry talked up Shakira’s skills so much, making it seem like she could rival the Lopez Group’s prized security team. Turns out it is just some sneaky actions that earned her that reputation.
Yvette was still uneasy and, after saying something to David, returned to the main conference room herself. On the big screen, Keith had already advanced 11% in his attack, while Shakira’s side hadn’t even begun.
Yvette’s smile grew more confident. She thought, ‘Shakira, you can struggle all you want. This time, you’re definitely going to lose!’
2044
Nearly twenty minutes had passed, with Sean and Caroline practically running in circles around the room in a frenzy, when Shakira finally made a move.
She placed her hands on the keyboard, briefly pausing before her fingers began flying across the keys, moving so fast they seemed to blur. Sean and Caroline quickly gathered around, staring intently but soon getting dizzy from the incomprehensible flurry of code. Despite her rapid pace, Shakira found the time to instruct Sean, There’s something you need to do now.”
Sean said, “Okay.”
On the NI big screen, Keith’s progress had reached 38%, but he couldn’t advance further, clearly held back by the security team. Meanwhile, Shakira’s side was crawling painfully to 9%.
20
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“Less than five minutes left, Team Four is definitely going to lose
“Wow, Shakira really has guts, embarrassing herself over and over again. Now look, it’s a major embarrassment.
“If it were me and I lost this badly, I’d have no face to stay in Lopez Group.”
68%%
As time ticked by and the thirty-second countdown began, the progress difference between the two sides hardly changed. Team Two was beaming with smugness, while Team Four looked defeated. “Last ten seconds, ten!”
George hung his head, unable to watch anymore.
“Nine!”
Yvette stood up, prepared to bask in the glory of victory.
Suddenly, an incredulous shout erupted from the crowd. “Wait, am I seeing things?”
“Shakira’s progress is at 20? Did she just rocket forward?”
“She overtook him, she’s caught up and passed him.”
“Damn, not just overtaking, she’s blazing through, shooting straight for 90.”
Yvette’s eyes widened in terror as she watched the numbers on the screen race ahead. She thought, ‘No, this can’t be happening!’
In the final moments of the countdown, Shakira’s progress bar hit 99.99%. The entire room erupted into chaos.
Amid the noise, someone exclaimed, “Look, Virmo’s official website just posted an announcement-their two main creators, the major financier, and the sole software developer, are officially recognized as- “Sean and Caroline, according to their official statement! Shakira told the truth, it was Yvette who lied!”
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