Cassandra uses Last-Write-Wins (LWW) based on microsecond timestamps. If two distinct clients write conflicting values to the same cell with the *exact* same timestamp, how is state convergence achieved?

1. A The database keeps both versions and marks the row as 'Conflicted'.
2. B The conflict remains forever; half of the nodes will see Value A and half will see Value B.
3. C Deterministic Lexicographical Tie-breaker: If timestamps are identical, Cassandra compares the bytes of the values themselves. The value that is larger (in a byte-by-byte comparison) is chosen as the winner on all nodes.
4. D The node with the lowest IP address is the final authority.