Chapter One: The One-Euro Verdict

A thirty-million-euro offer slammed onto the table in front of Lin Yue. “A reserve analyst questioning Baldi?” sporting director Hall sneered. “Eighteen goals last season. Northport should be grateful.” Rain smothered the harbor outside. Twelve days remained before the new season. Newly promoted Northport Athletic had fourteen million euros in cash, yet Hall wanted an eight-million down payment, a four-year contract, and six million in agent fees for a thirty-four-year-old striker. Lin had once been a playmaker in Seamount City's academy. At eighteen, the phrase limited physical ceiling ended his playing career. Eight years later he occupied the last folding chair and was not trusted with the projector remote.