Chapter Two: The One-Pound Auction

KEY EVENT: NOVEMBER 3, MINUTE 68, COLLAPSE.】 De Jong fell in the vision like a puppet whose strings had been cut. Medics rushed onto the pitch. A hollow black circle was printed along the edge of the stretcher cloth. Lu held on too long. De Jong frowned. “Sir?” “Have you had chest tightness since your recent cold?” “Athletes get tired.” Van der Veer sighed. “We're signing Lin, not treating our captain.” Lu set down his pen. “Add one condition. De Jong receives a cardiac MRI and troponin test today. Deduct the cost from my commission. If you refuse, Lin doesn't sign.” “Are you insane?” “Put it in the appendix. If the results are clear, my profit share falls from eight percent to six.