Chapter Three: Not for Sale to Northport

“That means you believe we are desperate, not that the player is worth three.” “This is not a negotiation. It's an internal Seabridge matter.” “Then raise the offer to eight million, cover all wages, and include a fifteen-percent sell-on.” “Absurd.” “Then he is not for sale.” Every eye settled on Lin. He had no authority to decide. But he knew who did. Marcus Veer had remained silent by the window. Lin played one final clip from yesterday's session: Vidal blocked the inside lane, Kovac stepped out and cut off the pass, then found Reed in space. Nine seconds. Kovac made no tackle and Vidal never touched the ball, yet the move produced a four-against-three attack.