My Otelz.com Reservation's Free Cancellation Period Expired Before I Even Booked

I booked a hotel reservation on Otelz.com, specifically choosing one with a free cancellation period. However, as soon as I completed the reservation, I saw that the free cancellation date and time had already passed. I made the reservation on May 9, 2024, at 9:08 PM, but the free cancellation period ended on May 9, 2024, at 6:09 PM, which is three hours before I even made the booking. I contacted customer service, but they told me that I must have seen and accepted these terms, so there was nothing they could do. How can a reservation be canceled before it even exists?