Chapter Three: Three Contracts, One Second

Deadline day, 9:00 a.m. Cash in Harborbridge Athletic's operating account: £113,000. The club had paid for a charter deposit to bring Milo and Luka to England, but registration remained incomplete. Danube Star accepted €4.7 million in three installments, yet the first was €1.5 million. Luka's release required €4.6 million in escrow. The bank refused another loan because Obsidian Capital already held the first charge over Old Dock Stadium. The press called it “the poorest kidnapping in football history.” Northcastle remained officially silent while friendly reporters updated Harborbridge's bankruptcy countdown every hour. Su placed a financing term sheet before Lin. Local shipping magnate Harold Finch offered six million pounds.