Chapter Five: The Deadline Triangle

The freeze lifted with fifty-two minutes left. Three agreements entered the system together: Costa to Harbor; Rosa on loan to Harbor; Crown's fixed-price option on Costa. Ironbridge received twelve million, Harbor filled two positions, and Crown reserved a future defender for six. Lu secured three returns: a six-hundred-thousand coordination fee, five percent of Costa's next sale, and a share of Rosa's purchase profit. Real Imperium's representative asked over video, “Do you understand what refusing us means?” “Yes. Next time you want one of my players, you wait in line.” At midnight, every registration turned green. Wolff's consultancy payment reached Lu's old business account. Zhou Hong called at that exact moment.