Chapter Four: The Missing Twelve Seconds

After Northport rejected twelve million, they won four straight matches. Costaro supplied three goals and five assists. Marcus turned the penalty area into restricted airspace. The newly promoted relegation favorites climbed to fifth, and with every victory, broadcasters replayed Lin's promise to take Northport somewhere the giants feared. Before Round Seven, Royal Sanctum submitted a second offer: twenty million in cash plus striker Noah Quinn on a season-long loan. “That's our annual budget,” a director said. “Refusing it would be gambling.” Lin touched the offer, then the loan appendix. [Buyer's true intent: secure Costaro with an inflated headline figure while unloading Quinn's injury and wages.] [Noah Quinn compatibility: 36%.]