"What''s this?" Robert asked, grabbing the item from Mirabe''s hand and giving it a once-over. "A USB drive?"


    Mirabe''s expression remained cool and collected as she nodded. "Kind of. When you plug it into the projector, it triggers a malware program that messes up the presentation files."


    Robert felt his frustration bubble up. "Who would be so nasty to pull a stunt like this?"


    Wasn''t this just a clear attempt to embarrass their school in front of all those prestigious colleges?


    "No way! How could something like this end up in our school''s projector?" The professor from Riverside University stood up again, reaching for the USB drive.


    Robert held onto it. "Someone must''ve nted it on purpose."


    He was convinced that no one from their school would do something so reckless there was nothing to gain, only trouble.


    The professor shot Robert a grateful look, understanding he was giving Riverside University some leeway. He then said seriously, "We''ll definitely get to the bottom of this!"


    He stepped aside to call the school''s security team.


    Meanwhile, a professor from the Math Department, who had been eyeing the device, chimed in. "I just remembered when I went to the restroom earlier, I bumped into another professor who was carrying the same thing you''re holding, Mr. Robert."


    When they collided, the other professor had dropped his USB drive, and the Math professor had kindly picked it up for him.


    So, the Math professor had a clear memory of it.


    "Are you sure? Can you point him out?" Robert asked urgently.


    The Riverside University professor, overhearing the exchange, turned to listen.


    "I''m sure, but I didn''t see him after I got back from the restroom," the Math professor replied, looking serious. Who would''ve guessed that the person he bumped into had bad intentions?


    "I''ve already asked our team to check the surveince footage," the Riverside University professor said.


    Robert sighed, feeling a headacheing on.


    Mirabe nced at Robert. This situation didn''t involve her anymore, nor


    follow-up. "Professor, I''ll head out now," she said.


    eed to worry about the


    Robert nodded. "Alright, you can go."


    Thankfully Mirabe had been there to fix the video files just in time, saving their reputation. Otherwise, Prestige College might''ve been the butt of jokes at this year''s conference.


    As Mirabe was about to leave, the Math professor called out to her. He had initially thought she was just thereto build her resume, but now he saw her differently.


    Clearing his throat, the Math professor asked, "Could you also take a look at our department''s PPT files?"


    He was worried they might be corrupted too.


    "Once the malware is gone, everything should be fine," Mirabe assured him politely.


    The Math professor let out a sigh of relief. "That''s a relief."


    Mirabe nodded and left.


    **


    When Mirabe returned to the conference hall, Patrick and the others were wrapping things up.


    They came down from the stage, their palms slick with cold sweat.


    "Mira, what went down backstage?" Patrick asked, taking off his sses and cleaning them with his shirt.


    "Someone nted a virus to mess up the video files," Mirabe said, keeping it brief.


    ze nearly jumped out of his seat at the news. "Seriously? Who''d be so evil to sabotage us like that?"