Chapter One: After Three Seconds

Silvervault City's glass boardroom hung above the stadium like a transparent blade. “Sign it, Gu Chuan.” The lawyer pushed the termination agreement across the table. Outside, groundskeepers were painting the club's golden crown onto the grass. The transfer window closed tomorrow night, and all Norland expected the powerhouse to unveil another star. Gu studied the final page. “Leaking the recruitment model? I built that model. You know who sold the shortlist to the agencies.” Chairman Hector Vane sat in shadow, turning a silver coin between his fingers. “Football doesn't reward the man who is right. It rewards the man entitled to define what right means. Sign, and you may still work in this industry.”