Chapter Two: The €4.7 Million Empty Cheque

Lin's plan sounded suicidal. Harborbridge would offer Danube Star €4.7 million for the full twenty-five percent it legally owned, while placing funds in escrow to clear Luka's debt. The first part reduced the legitimate transfer price to something Harborbridge could manage. The second required a payment promise without sufficient cash behind it. “An empty cheque,” Su said. “No. Payment occurs only when Crown delivers an unencumbered release. They cannot deliver one, so our cash cannot move.” “Why would they accept?” “Because we send the offer to everyone.” At 2:17 a.m., Harborbridge's formal offer reached Danube Star, all three bidding clubs, and the local federation.