Chapter Three: Three Contracts, One Second

signing bonuses, additional documentary rights, and an advance against Luka's salary as a community coach. The club only administered a zero-interest escrow. It neither owned the debt nor profited from Milo's destination. “More importantly,” Lin continued, “Crown Sports has just argued that the two deals are inseparable. It has therefore admitted using Luka's debt to direct Milo's career. We request an immediate investigation.” Kane's lawyer fell silent. It was a two-way trap: deny the connection and lose the objection; admit it and implicate Crown Sports. At 11:27, the FA dismissed the objection. At 11:51, Milo entered the signing room. Northcastle had raised its offer to thirty million and promised Luka a direct “care payment.