Chapter Four: The Missing Twelve Seconds

On screen, Costaro lost possession and stood still. Twelve seconds later, the opponent crossed from his side. “Giants pay twenty million for a highlight reel,” Lin said. “They pay thirty for someone who wins matches. Which one are you?” Costaro stared at him. “You kept the offer open for me to see?” “And for another club.” At nine that evening, Seamount City offered its fifteen-percent sell-on interest for three million. They assumed Northport was about to cash out and wanted their future income early. Lin had an agreement ready: Northport would pay eight hundred thousand to extinguish the entire share. If Seamount did not sign by noon, he would accept Sanctum's bid and cap Seamount's return against the first six million of “actual receipts.”