9:00 AM, the boardroom of Wendell Castle.
The long table was filled with people on both sides.
Earl Edward sat at the head of the right side.
Harold sat next to him.
Richard Hall of Hall Capital had also arrived, followed by two lawyers.
Arthur and Robert sat on the other side.
Victoria sat at the head of the table.
Isabella sat on her left.
Jiang Lin sat on her right, and Chen Qian sat behind Jiang Lin.
As soon as the meeting began, Edward pushed a document onto the table.
"There is only one agenda item today: the sale of the shares in the Wendell Football Club held by the Wendell Family."
Victoria opened the meeting agenda.
"The agenda has been changed."
Edward sneered.
"Who changed it?"
"I did."
"You do not have that authority."
"I have the power to suspend the disposal of major family assets, especially when there are disputes regarding asset loss and trust accounts."
Harold pushed up his glasses.
"Mrs. Wendell, it is not that simple legally."
Jiang Lin pushed a document over.
"Then let's start with the simple things."
Harold took a look.
Double payments for East Wing repairs.
Inflated stable expenses.
Unknown whereabouts of funds for the restoration of old collections.
...
The boardroom was quiet for a few seconds.
Hall smiled.
"Mr. Jiang, putting unrelated matters together will only lower efficiency."
"How do you plan to handle the Training Ground?"
"Continue using it for the development of the Wendell Football Club."
Chen Qian handed a document to Jiang Lin.
Jiang Lin placed it on the table.
"An affiliate of Hall Capital consulted on the real estate planning around the Training Ground last month."
He put down another sheet.
"Three weeks ago, Hall Capital signed a pre-consultation contract with Gray Architectural Consultants."
The third sheet.
"Gray Architectural Consultants has participated in three sports land conversion projects for residential use in the past two years. Is this continuing to be used for the development of the Wendell Football Club?"
Edward slapped the table.
"This proves nothing!"
Chen Qian opened her notebook.
"The Training Ground's area, surrounding road modification plans, and planning consultant fees are inconsistent with sports usage."
"Miss Chen, this is a board meeting."
"I am only stating the numbers."
Jiang Lin pushed the file forward.
"Then let the numbers speak."
Robert took over.
"If the Training Ground is valued as a sports asset, it is about 1.2 million pounds. If valued as a potential development plot, it is conservatively 3.8 to 5 million pounds."
Arthur's expression changed.
"Hall Capital offered 2.8 million for the entire equity package."
Victoria looked at Edward.
"Are you going to sell the Training Ground at the price of wasteland?"
"That is only potential value; the club is short on money now."
Jiang Lin tapped the table.
"Being short on money and selling something for a pittance are two different things."
Hall finally spoke.
"Mr. Jiang, if you think the price is too low, you can make an offer."
"I can."
"How much are you offering?"
"I am not making an offer today."
"Then you are wasting everyone's time."
Victoria picked up a statement.
"The Wendell Family is providing 500,000 pounds in short-term bridge funding today for club salaries, youth training accommodation, and basic maintenance."
Arthur looked up sharply.
"Today?"
Victoria signed her name.
"Today."
Isabella pushed out another document.
"Montlais Winery will sign a brand cooperation agreement with Wendell Football Club, providing a cooperation quota equivalent to 500,000 euros, to be paid in installments."
Edward's expression darkened.
"A French winery sponsoring a low-level British team? Absurd."
"It is more reasonable than selling the Training Ground at a low price."
Chen Qian handed out the third document.
"Right back Thomas Gray already has a 320,000-pound offer. If the club accepts the transfer, short-term cash flow can be further eased."
Arthur took it.
"He can be sold."
Jiang Lin looked at Hall.
"Salaries are covered, youth training is covered, short-term cash is covered; there is no need to sell the Training Ground."
"Mr. Jiang, running a football club is not as simple as you say."
"Ethan Reed cannot be sold."
Arthur nodded.
"Cannot be sold."
"Lucas Shaw cannot be sold."
"Agreed."
"Thomas Gray can be sold."
"He can."
"Vice Chairman Mason needs to undergo a conflict of interest review by the board."
At the end of the long table, a bald man's expression changed.
He was Mason.
"What do you mean?"
Jiang Lin placed a summary of call records on the table.
"You have had seventeen calls with the Hall Capital investment manager in the past two weeks."
Mason immediately looked at Hall.
Hall's expression looked even worse.
Jiang Lin continued.
"You received the Training Ground transaction proposal in advance and pushed the board to accept it. Your wife's company received a consulting fee from Gray Architectural Consultants last month."
"This is slander!"
Chen Qian handed out the payment voucher.
"The account, date, and amount are all here."
Two board members whispered to each other.
Arthur stood up and grabbed the documents.
"Mason, are you f***ing selling the Training Ground behind the club's back?"
"I did not!"
"What is this money about?"
"I don't know!"
Jiang Lin did not raise his voice.
"Vote now."
Victoria looked at him.
"Vote on what?"
"Suspend the sale of shares, suspend any disposal of the Training Ground, establish a temporary asset review committee, and suspend Mason to undergo an internal investigation."
Arthur immediately said:
"I agree."
Robert raised his hand.
"Agreed."
Victoria raised her hand.
"Agreed."
Isabella was not on the board, so she placed the Montlais cooperation intention in the center of the table.
"The Montlais cooperation intention is premised on the retention of the Training Ground."
The two neutral board members looked at each other.
One of the white-haired men spoke.
"I support suspending the sale."
The other one also raised his hand.
"I support investigating Mason."
Mason turned pale.
Edward stood up abruptly.
"This meeting is invalid!"
Victoria looked at him coldly.
"You can have your lawyers challenge it."
She turned to Harold.
"Mr. Harold, do you want to challenge it?"
Harold was silent for a few seconds.
"Based on the current evidence, suspending the transaction is safer."
Edward stared at him fixedly.
"You are betraying me too?"
Harold closed his briefcase.
"Earl Edward, I am just reducing legal risks."
Hall stood up.
"It seems there is no need to continue talking today."
Jiang Lin looked at him.
"Mr. Hall, the Training Ground will not be sold for the time being."
Hall walked to the door and looked back.
"Mr. Jiang, you have blocked a very big deal."
"You can increase the price."
"You will regret this."
"I am tired of hearing that."
Hall sneered and left with his people.
Arthur slammed the documents onto the table.
"Mason, come with me to see the fans."
"No, I want a lawyer."
"Of course you need a lawyer."
Two staff members took Mason out.
Victoria looked at the meeting secretary.
"Record the results."
The meeting secretary read out the resolutions.
"First, the sale of shares in the Wendell Football Club held by the Wendell Family is suspended."
"Second, all transactions related to the Training Ground are frozen."
"Third, a temporary asset review committee is established."
"Fourth, Mason is suspended from his position as Vice Chairman to undergo an internal investigation."
"Fifth, the Wendell Family will provide 500,000 pounds in bridge funding."
"Sixth, Montlais Winery will initiate a brand cooperation intention with the club."
Victoria signed.
Arthur signed.
Robert signed.
Two board members signed.
Edward refused to sign.
Victoria did not look at him.
"Refusal to sign is placed on record."
Edward looked at Jiang Lin coldly.
"Do you think you won?"
"I won today."
"Hall will not stop."
"I am not planning to stop either."
Edward turned and left.
Arthur walked up to Jiang Lin and reached out his hand.
"Today you saved the Training Ground."
Jiang Lin shook his hand.
"Only for now."
"That is enough; the fans are waiting outside for the results."
Victoria asked, "How many people?"
Arthur looked at his phone.
"Hundreds. And it is still increasing."
Jiang Lin stood up.
"Let's go out."
Isabella looked at him.
"Are you going to make an appearance?"
"It is time to let them know that the Training Ground is safe for the time being."
Victoria also stood up.
"I will go."
Arthur nodded.
"They need to see you."
Many fans had gathered in the small square outside the castle.
Some were wearing old jerseys.
Some were holding scarves.
Some brought their children.
The banners read:
"The Training Ground belongs to the team. Hall Capital get out of Wendell. Don't sell our future."
When Victoria walked out, the crowd went quiet for a moment.
Arthur stepped forward and raised his hand to signal.
"Quiet!"
He turned to look at Victoria.
Victoria stood on the steps.
"The Wendell Family has suspended the sale of shares in the Wendell Football Club."
A commotion broke out in the crowd.
"All transactions related to the Training Ground are frozen."
Some people started clapping.
"The club will receive short-term funding, and salaries and youth training will be stabilized first."
The applause grew louder.
"I cannot promise that all problems will be solved tonight."
Victoria paused.
"But I can promise that the Training Ground will not be sold quietly."
The crowd erupted in cheers.
Arthur punched the air.
"Did you hear that? The Training Ground is safe for now!"
The fans began to shout:
"Wendell!"
"Wendell!"
"Save the Training Ground!"
Chen Qian stood behind Isabella, watching the crowd below the steps, clutching the documents in her hands tightly.
Jiang Lin looked at Arthur.
"Is Ethan there?"
Arthur shouted into the crowd.
"Ethan!"
A young man of eighteen or nineteen pushed his way out from behind the crowd.
He was tall, had black hair, was wearing a training suit, and his face still had the youthful awkwardness that hadn't completely faded from his adolescence.
"Chairman."
Arthur pulled him in front of Jiang Lin.
"Ethan Reed."
Ethan looked at Jiang Lin guardedly.
"You are that Easterner?"
"Yes."
"They say you want to buy the team."
"I don't have the money yet."
"Will you sell us?"
"Do you want to leave?"
"I don't want to be sold to be a substitute."
"Then stay."
"Does what you say count?"
"Not yet."
Jiang Lin looked at Arthur.
"But he doesn't want to sell you either."
Arthur patted Ethan on the shoulder.
"Train hard first."
Ethan looked at Jiang Lin.
"Can you really save the Training Ground?"
"I can today."
"What about tomorrow?"
"I can then too."
"Then I will score goals for you to see."
"Get into the first team first."
The surrounding fans laughed again.
An old man raised his scarf.
"Jiang! Jiang! Jiang!"
Soon, someone joined in the shouting.
"Jiang!"
"Jiang!"
"Jiang!"
The voices grew from a few dozen people to hundreds.
Isabella looked at the crowd below the steps, then turned to look at Jiang Lin.
"You're starting to become famous in England, too."
Victoria stood nearby.
"He's only been here for one day."
"He's usually quick."
"Is that based on experience?"
"Consider it a warning."
Victoria walked over to Jiang Lin's side.
"Mr. Jiang, the Training Ground has been temporarily saved."
"Hmm."
"The negotiation rights I promised you are now in effect."
"Thirty percent."
"We can discuss it."
"I want written confirmation."
"You really don't leave any room for grace."
Isabella interjected from the side.
"I warned you about that, too."
Victoria looked at her.
"Mrs. Montclair, how did you put up with it back then?"
"Let it accrue, settle it slowly later."
"Good method."
Jiang Lin looked at the two of them.
"Are you discussing how to deal with me right in front of me?"
Isabella: "It's good that you heard."
Victoria: "Saves you from saying we weren't being honest later."
Chen Qian finally couldn't help it and let out a small laugh.
Three gazes turned toward her simultaneously.
She immediately lowered her head.
"I didn't hear anything."
The fans were still cheering.
On the second floor of the main building of the castle, Edward stood by the window, watching the square coldly.
Harold stood behind him.
"My Lord, it would be best to pause all actions for now."
"Hall Capital won't give up easily."
"Continuing to push forward will be dangerous."
"Then let them muddy the waters."
"What do you mean?"
"Let the media investigate him."
"They already investigated in France, but it wasn't effective."
"An Easterner who crawled up from the bottom of Paris can't possibly be clean."
In the square, Victoria had Irene bring over some documents.
A short confirmation letter.
Victoria Wendell confirms that Mr. Jiang Lin has obtained the qualification to negotiate related rights and interests for the Wendell Football Club.
This includes, but is not limited to, future profit sharing, equity subscription rights, cooperation in protecting youth training assets, and arrangements for a board observer seat.
Victoria signed.
Jiang Lin signed.
Isabella read it through.
"The wording is acceptable."
"Mrs. Montclair, are you satisfied now?"
"For now."
"You two even answer in the same way."
Jiang Lin put away the documents.
Chen Qian walked over and handed him the list of accounts.
"Mr. Jiang, Mrs. Wendell, the first batch of problematic accounts has been organized."
Victoria took them.
"Continue tonight?"
"That works."
Isabella: "No, you've been working for too long. Eat, rest."
Victoria also nodded.
"Listen to Mrs. Montclair."
Chen Qian had no choice but to put away her notes.
"Okay."
Jiang Lin looked at Arthur.
"Get me the full profiles on Ethan and Lucas tonight."
"No problem."
"Keep an eye on Mason."
"I'll watch him myself."
"If Hall Capital contacts the players' families, tell me immediately."
"Understood."
In the evening, the castle lights came back on.
Dinner was arranged in the small banquet hall.
Victoria had changed into a deep purple gown.
Isabella was still wearing her white jacket, sitting to Jiang Lin's left.
Chen Qian was seated a bit further to Jiang Lin's right.
Victoria sat opposite them.
On the table were roast beef, Yorkshire pudding, roasted vegetables, and red wine.
As dinner began, Victoria raised her glass.
"To temporarily saving the Training Ground today."
Everyone raised their glasses.
Arthur drank quickly.
"I need to return to the club."
Victoria nodded.
"Thank you for your hard work."
Arthur looked at Jiang Lin.
"Are you coming to the follow-up board meeting tomorrow?"
"Yes."
"Good."
After Arthur left the table, the atmosphere lost some of its roughness and became a bit quieter.
Victoria looked at Jiang Lin.
"On your first day in England, you took my letter of introduction, froze my husband's transaction, and demanded negotiation rights for the club's interests."
Jiang Lin cut a piece of beef.
"The efficiency is acceptable."
"You call that 'acceptable'?"
Isabella took a sip of wine.
"On his first day in France, he demanded thirty percent of my winery."
Victoria looked at her.
"Then should I feel lucky?"
Isabella smiled faintly.
"You could."
Victoria gently swirled her wine glass.
"Mr. Jiang, Mrs. Montclair seems to like reminding me of things."
"She's afraid you'll lose out."
Isabella glanced at him.
"I'm afraid you'll take advantage."
Victoria laughed out loud.
Chen Qian lowered her head to cut her meat, trying not to get involved.
Victoria suddenly looked at her.
"Miss Chen, what do you think of today's castle accounts?"
Chen Qian looked up.
"There are many problems."
"What is the most serious one?"
"The control is chaotic."
After speaking, she glanced at Jiang Lin, then at Isabella.
"The assets are under the Wendell Family name, cash flow is scattered, the lawyers are opaque, and the board is in contact with external capital. Blocking just one point is useless; we need to organize the accounts, assets, and decision-making power separately."
Victoria put down her knife and fork.
"Continue."
Chen Qian's voice steadied a bit.
"The club needs to be a separate line, castle maintenance a separate line, and the old collections and jewelry a separate line. For each line, we need to identify the signatories, the recipients, and the beneficiaries."
Jiang Lin nodded.
"Write it into a table tonight."
Isabella frowned.
"Write it tomorrow."
Chen Qian immediately looked at Jiang Lin.
Jiang Lin smiled.
"Listen to the lady."
Victoria sighed softly:
"I know who can manage you now."
Isabella did not deny it.
"Occasionally."
After dinner, everyone moved to the fireplace room.
It was raining again.
It was pitch black outside the window.
Irene delivered an urgent message.
"Ma'am, Hall Capital has contacted three media outlets, claiming that Mrs. Wendell is being influenced by an outside consultant and is disrupting a normal business transaction."
Victoria took the document.
"They've made their move."
Isabella looked at Jiang Lin.
"How do we respond?"
Jiang Lin finished reading the message.
"Let the fans respond."
Victoria looked up.
"The fans?"
"Have the club's fan association issue a statement supporting the suspension of the Training Ground transaction and demanding that Hall Capital's supplementary agreement be made public."
Chen Qian added.
"Add another line demanding that Vice Chairman Mason publicly explain the conflict of interest."
Jiang Lin nodded.
"Add it."
Irene went out to make arrangements immediately.
Victoria looked at Chen Qian.
"You're becoming more and more like his person."
Chen Qian's face flushed slightly.
Isabella spoke up:
"She is from Montlais Winery."
Victoria smiled.
"Of course."
Jiang Lin stood up.
"That's it for tonight. Tomorrow we have the board, lawyers, fans, and the media."
Victoria walked up to him.
"Mr. Jiang."
"Hmm?"
"Thank you."
This sentence was simple.
No testing.
No provocation.
Isabella glanced at her.
Jiang Lin nodded.
"Continue tomorrow."
Victoria's smile returned.
"Do you settle even your 'thank yous' in installments?"
"It's safer."
Isabella walked over.
"He's always like this."
Victoria whispered:
"I'm starting to get used to it."
Isabella replied indifferently:
"Don't get used to it too quickly."
The two looked at each other.
Jiang Lin walked straight out the door.
"Good night."
Chen Qian followed, holding the documents.
"Mr. Jiang, the accounts…"
Isabella stopped her.
"Chen Qian."
"Ma'am?"
"Put the documents down and go to sleep."
Chen Qian glanced at Jiang Lin.
Jiang Lin took the documents and placed them on the table.
"Go sleep."
"Okay."
After Chen Qian left, Victoria stood before the fireplace, watching Jiang Lin's back.
"Mrs. Montclair, the man you brought is indeed very troublesome."
"I know."
"But he's also very useful."
"You don't need to remind me of that."
"You keep a tight watch on him."
"Because he moves too fast."
"Are you afraid you won't keep up?"
"I'm afraid that if he falls too hard, he'll crash into me."
"That's a good reason."
Late at night, Wendell Castle quieted down.
Jiang Lin returned to his East Wing suite.
Two documents were already on the table.
One was the signed confirmation letter for the negotiation rights from Victoria.
The other was the statement just released by the fan association.
His phone vibrated.
Zhao Hong sent a message.
"Boss Jiang, someone here in France is looking into your past debts and illegal employment records."
"It looks like someone from England hired them."
"Should I handle it?"
Jiang Lin replied:
"Don't suppress it. Organize it and send it to me."
Zhao Hong replied quickly:
"You're going to expose yourself again?"
Jiang Lin looked at the rainy night outside the window.
"We'll see."
He put down his phone.
There was a knock at the door.
He opened the door.
Isabella was standing at the door.
She was wearing a light-colored robe and holding the Wendell confirmation letter.
"Before you signed this, why didn't you let me see it first?"
Jiang Lin stepped aside.
"It's not too late to look at it now."
Isabella entered, closing the door gently behind her.
"Jiang Lin, you've tied yourself into a new line tonight."
"The football line is worth it."
"Is Victoria worth it, too?"
Jiang Lin looked at her.
"Ma'am, this question was already asked tonight."
Isabella took a step closer.
"Then answer it now."
Jiang Lin took the document and placed it on the table.
"She is worth cooperating with."
"Just cooperation?"
Jiang Lin smiled.
Isabella looked at him.
"Don't smile."
Jiang Lin stopped smiling.
"For now, it's just cooperation."
"And later?"
"Later depends on how many chips she puts on the table."
Isabella stared at him.
"You really are hopeless."
"You've known that since the first day."
She was silent for a moment, then suddenly reached out to straighten his collar.
"Don't lose tomorrow."
"Worried about me?"
"I'm worried about my thirty-percent partner losing everything in England."
Jiang Lin looked down at her.
"Don't worry, I won't lose."
Isabella withdrew her hand.
"Good night."
"Good night."
She walked to the door and stopped again.
"Also, I'm sitting next to you tomorrow."
Jiang Lin nodded.
"Okay."