Chapter Three: Three Contracts, One Second

Lin looked at the settlement agreement. The red writing had not vanished. It extended into a sentence he had not been able to see before. [ULTIMATE PRICE: When Harborbridge's value reaches £100 million, the purchase option activates. The asset sold is not a player, but all club revenues for the next ten years.] For the first time, his gift gave him no advantage—only cold fear. “Pray Harborbridge never becomes worth one hundred million,” Vale whispered. Lin smiled. “No.” He watched blue-and-white flags flood the pitch. “I'll make it worth a billion. Then, before you come to take it, I'll buy the table itself.”