Chapter Three: Rules Do Not Protect the Greedy

The Covenant recorded not only money, he realized, but how victory was made. In the third quarter, the Whales fell behind by fifteen. Zhou Yan ordered Lu Chen to take over. The moment he reached the free-throw line, however, the crimson candlewick reappeared, running from the floor to a luxury suite. Xu Boyan sat inside. Eleven others surrounded him: the league chairman, team owners, a sports-hospital director, and a woman who appeared younger than thirty. Golden figures exceeding a century floated at every wrist. The Candle Society. Xu raised his glass through the window, inviting Lu Chen to perform. The play called for Lu Chen to drive.