7:30 AM, East Wing corridor of Wendell Castle.
Jiang Lin opened his door, and Victoria was standing by the window.
She wore a light gray long dress and held a cup of black tea in her hand.
"Morning."
"Mrs. Wendell, you're up early."
"There were guests moving about in the castle last night, so I didn't sleep very soundly."
"It seems the soundproofing here isn't very good."
"The soundproofing is excellent."
She set down her teacup, her gaze landing on his collar.
"Mrs. Montclair is very attentive; your collar is neater than it was last night."
"She was just reminding me not to lose today."
"She went into your room just to remind you of that?"
Footsteps approached from the other end of the corridor.
Isabella walked over.
She wore a white shirt, a black long skirt, and a dark short coat draped over her shoulders.
She glanced at Victoria, then at Jiang Lin.
"Is Mrs. Wendell very interested in the private lives of her guests?"
"I am simply concerned about whether our guests are comfortable staying in the castle."
"Very comfortable."
Isabella stopped beside Jiang Lin.
"I have confirmed it personally."
"It seems Mrs. Montclair is very responsible."
"Mr. Jiang is currently representing Montlais Winery, so of course I am responsible."
"Just representing the winery?"
Jiang Lin walked directly toward the stairs.
"Breakfast is going to get cold."
Both women looked at him simultaneously.
Isabella followed first.
Victoria followed after.
In the dining room, Chen Qian was already at the table.
In front of her lay a notebook, the accounts she had organized last night, and a summary of the club's cash flow.
There was also a glass of untouched milk.
Seeing the three enter, she stood up immediately.
"Mrs. Montclair, Mr. Jiang, Mrs. Wendell."
Victoria sat down.
"Did Miss Chen sleep well last night?"
"I slept very well."
Isabella glanced at the faint dark circles under her eyes.
"Liar."
"I'm just a little sensitive to new beds."
Jiang Lin picked up the documents in front of her.
"Did you look at the accounts again last night?"
"Only for a little while."
Isabella pushed the milk back in front of her.
"Drink it."
"Mrs. Montclair, I..."
"Drink."
Chen Qian lowered her head and picked up the glass.
Victoria watched this scene.
"Mrs. Montclair is very good at caring for people."
"She is still young and shouldn't be staying up late with certain people."
"Certain people?"
Jiang Lin flipped through the documents.
"I heard that."
"It's good that you heard."
Victoria picked up her coffee.
"Mr. Jiang, the follow-up meeting for the club board is at 9:00 AM. At 10:30 AM, the fan representatives want to see you. At 11:00 AM, the media will arrive at the Training Ground."
"Is there any movement from Hall Capital?"
"They have scheduled an appointment with a reporter from The Times Sport."
"What about Edward?"
"He is in the West Wing of the castle and hasn't come downstairs."
Isabella set down her knife and fork.
"He won't stay quiet for long."
Victoria nodded slightly.
"He has an appointment with Harold."
Chen Qian pushed the accounts sheet over.
"Harold's documents are incomplete; two contracts for the restoration of the old collection are missing, the annex for the Training Ground assessment is missing, and there are no original invoices for the stable expenses."
Jiang Lin finished reading.
"Today, we will force him to hand over the Training Ground annex first."
Victoria looked up.
"Why investigate the Training Ground first?"
"Before the media arrives, we need something the fans can understand."
Isabella looked at Chen Qian.
"Put the valuation difference of the Training Ground onto a single sheet of paper."
"Understood."
Victoria added.
"Don't write it like a legal document; the fans need to be able to understand it."
"I will use three columns: Hall Capital's offer, the valuation for sports use, and the potential development valuation."
Jiang Lin handed the file back.
"Add one more column: Who benefits."
Halfway through breakfast, the butler brought over a long box.
"Madam, this is what you ordered."
Victoria opened it.
Inside was a dark blue cashmere scarf.
She picked it up and walked behind Jiang Lin.
"The wind is strong at the English Training Ground, and Mr. Jiang is not dressed warmly enough."
The scarf settled on Jiang Lin's shoulders, and her fingers grazed the side of his neck.
Isabella slowly set down her coffee cup.
"Mrs. Wendell is truly thoughtful."
"If a guest catches a cold, it will affect today's negotiations."
Isabella stood up, walked in front of Jiang Lin, and immediately rearranged the scarf.
Her fingertips pressed against his collar as she tightened the knot of the scarf for him.
"This way it won't come loose."
Victoria watched her hands.
"Mrs. Montclair is very practiced."
"I practiced last night."
Jiang Lin looked down at Isabella.
"Madam, it's a bit tight."
"Endure it."
Victoria laughed.
"Mr. Jiang had better be obedient today."
Jiang Lin picked up his coat.
"Let's go."
9:00 AM, Wendell Football Club conference room.
The meeting was much shorter than the one last night.
Mason was absent.
Arthur sat at the head of the table; his expression was more relaxed than yesterday.
Robert placed the cash flow statement on the table.
"The £500,000 bridge funding from the Wendell Family has entered the escrow account, and player salaries will be paid this afternoon."
The board members did not object further.
Jiang Lin distributed the four-column Training Ground table.
Hall Capital's package offer: £2.8 million.
Training Ground sports use valuation: £1.2 million.
Potential development valuation: £3.8 million to £5 million.
Related beneficiaries: Hall Capital, Gray Architectural Consultants, and Mason's wife's company.
The white-haired director finished reading, his face darkening.
"If this table gets into the hands of the media, Hall Capital will be in a lot of trouble."
Arthur spoke up directly.
"Which is why we must not sell even more."
Another director nodded.
"I support suspending the Training Ground transaction."
Victoria sat nearby, tapping the table lightly with her finger.
"I also want a supplementary resolution."
Everyone looked over.
"Within the next two years, any sale, mortgage, or lease of the Training Ground exceeding a five-year term requires the consent of two-thirds of the board and written confirmation from the family asset protection party."
Edward was not there, and Harold sat to the side.
"This clause will restrict the club's financing."
Jiang Lin looked at him.
"It restricts selling it behind our backs."
No one in the conference room replied.
Arthur was the first to raise his hand.
"I support it."
Robert followed by raising his hand.
Two other directors also raised their hands.
Harold looked at Victoria.
"Madam, this will make the Earl very dissatisfied."
Victoria spoke calmly.
"He was already very dissatisfied last night."
The resolution passed.
10:30 AM, Training Ground.
The sky was overcast, and the wind was strong.
Six fan representatives arrived.
Two middle-aged men, an old lady, a young girl, and a father and son.
Arthur stood before them.
"The Training Ground will not be sold in secret."
The middle-aged man stared at Jiang Lin.
"I heard you were the one who stopped Hall Capital?"
Jiang Lin did not beat around the bush.
"It was everyone working together to stop them."
The old lady held an old scarf.
"We don't care who stopped it; as long as the Training Ground is still here, we accept it."
The young girl looked at Victoria.
"Madam, will you be managing the team in the future?"
Victoria glanced at Arthur.
"I will manage the parts that need managing. I will leave the matches to the professionals."
Arthur nodded.
"I like that."
Someone among the fans laughed.
Jiang Lin handed the four-column table to them.
"This table can be made public."
The young girl scanned it, and her expression changed.
"Hall wants to buy the land?"
"It's very obvious."
The middle-aged man cursed.
"I knew that bunch of capitalist dogs didn't have good intentions."
Chen Qian handed over another simplified version.
"This one is more suitable for posting on the forums."
The middle-aged man looked at her.
"You made this?"
"I organized it."
"It's clearly written."
Chen Qian felt a bit embarrassed.
"Thank you."
Jiang Lin turned his head.
"Well done."
Just as Chen Qian was about to smile, Isabella handed her a folder.
"Don't just listen to praise; keep working."
"Yes, Mrs. Montclair."
Victoria glanced at Isabella.
"You are getting more and more comfortable with managing things."
"She belongs to Montlais."
"For now."
Isabella looked at her.
"Does Mrs. Wendell want to poach her?"
"A little."
Chen Qian, caught in the middle, blushed again.
Jiang Lin took over the conversation directly.
"Poach me first."
Victoria laughed out loud.
Isabella tugged lightly on his scarf.
"No making reckless offers."
The scarf suddenly tightened.
Jiang Lin looked down.
"Madam, this is the second time you've choked me today."
Isabella let go.
"Sorry."
Victoria watched the two of them, her smile undiminished.
11:00 AM, the media arrived.
Three local newspapers, one sports channel.
And a reporter from The Times Sport contacted by Hall Capital.
The reporter's first question.
"Mrs. Wendell, the outside world questions whether you are being influenced by foreign advisors to sabotage a deal that would save the club. What is your view on this?"
Victoria looked at Jiang Lin.
"Suspending a deal that undervalues assets and harms the community is not sabotage. The Training Ground belongs to the club's future, and the Wendell Family will not treat it as spare change to fill temporary holes."
Another reporter passed the microphone to Jiang Lin.
"Mr. Jiang, you come from a French winery, and now you are intervening in a lower-tier English football club. Do you understand football?"
Arthur laughed from the side.
"He watched three match recordings yesterday and pointed out that our right-back should be sold."
The reporter looked at Arthur.
"Do you agree?"
"I agree. We will consider the offer for Thomas, but Ethan and Lucas will not be sold."
Jiang Lin took over.
"The club is short on money in the short term. Selling the wrong person will kill the club. Selling the right person can keep it alive."
"Who is the right person?"
"Age, contract, positional substitutability, and future appreciation potential—you have to look at all four."
The reporter from The Times Sport immediately followed up.
"Are you preparing to acquire the club?"
"Not at the moment."
"Then on what grounds are you intervening?"
Victoria spoke up.
"On the grounds that I invited him."
The reporter turned to her.
"Mrs. Wendell, what is your relationship with Mr. Jiang?"
"He is my temporary consultant."
Isabella added coolly.
"He is also a core partner of Montlais Winery."
The reporter's eyes lit up.
"Is Mrs. Montclair also participating in this club partnership?"
Isabella handed out the letter of intent for the partnership.
"Montlais Winery will launch a brand partnership with Wendell Club."
"Why would a French winery sponsor an English team?"
Jiang Lin answered.
"Because this team has a story, a community, a youth academy, and a Training Ground; it is more authentic than many hollow brands."
Chen Qian handed the simplified materials to the reporters.
"This is a summary of the Training Ground valuation differences and Hall Capital's related parties."
The reporters immediately took photos.
The expression of the reporter from The Times Sport changed.
"Has this information been audited?"
Chen Qian looked up.
"The information comes from the club's finances, public planning records, Wendell Family trust documents, and company registration records; a formal audit will follow."
"Who are you?"
"Chen Qian, Financial Assistant at Montlais Winery."
"Are you qualified to release this?"
Chen Qian paused.
Isabella walked up to her side.
"She is submitting the information on my behalf."
Victoria also spoke up.
"And with my permission."
The reporter shut up.
Jiang Lin looked at Chen Qian.
"Well said."
Chen Qian gripped the documents and replied in a low voice:
"Thank you."
Isabella glanced at Jiang Lin.
"What she needs right now is to stand firm, not to be flushed by a single word of praise from you."
Victoria chuckled.
"Mrs. Montclair, you even control who gets to give praise."
"She is thin-skinned."
Chen Qian blushed even more.
The reporters were still taking pictures.
At 1:00 PM, in the small cafeteria next to the Training Ground.
Arthur had arranged a simple lunch.
Fish and chips, hot soup, and coffee.
After sitting down, Isabella looked at her plate for a few seconds.
Jiang Lin handed her a lemon.
"Make do for now."
Isabella took it.
"I am not complaining."
Victoria sat opposite her.
"Mrs. Montclair probably rarely eats fish and chips at the Training Ground."
"Mrs. Wendell doesn't look like she eats it often either."
"It's worth a try today."
Chen Qian sat to the side, head down, eating very earnestly.
She was truly hungry.
Jiang Lin pushed his own hot soup over.
"Drink it."
Chen Qian looked up.
"Mr. Jiang, aren't you drinking it?"
"I'm not cold."
Isabella looked over.
Victoria also looked over.
Chen Qian's hand paused in mid-air.
"I... I can go buy another one myself."
Isabella pushed her own soup directly to Jiang Lin.
"You drink this."
Victoria stirred her coffee slowly.
"Mr. Jiang, a single bowl of soup can cause so much trouble."
Jiang Lin looked at the three bowls of soup on the table.
"It wouldn't be appropriate for me to drink either bowl now."
Isabella put her spoon into her own bowl.
"Mine."
Victoria raised an eyebrow.
Chen Qian immediately lowered her head and drank her soup.
Jiang Lin picked up his spoon.
"Alright."
Isabella watched him take a sip before she continued cutting her fish.
Victoria watched this scene with a smile.
"Mrs. Montclair, your desire for control is stronger than I imagined."
"I am just avoiding waste."
"Wasting soup?"
"Wasting people."
Jiang Lin almost choked.
Chen Qian kept her head down, her shoulders trembling slightly.
Victoria laughed out loud.
After lunch, Arthur took them to tour the youth Training Ground.
Ethan was training.
Lucas was there too.
Jiang Lin stood on the sidelines watching for ten minutes.
"Lucas is positioned too far forward."
Arthur called the coach to make an adjustment.
After Lucas dropped back, he delivered two consecutive through balls.
Ethan missed one shot and scored the other.
Arthur looked at Jiang Lin.
"You are right."
Victoria stood nearby.
"Can this point also be turned into money?"
"Yes."
"How long?"
"Two years."
"Too slow."
"Money in football is never fast. Fast money is on the Training Ground; long-term money is in the players."
Isabella watched the young men running on the field.
"So Hall Capital wants the fast money, and you want the long-term money."
"Yes."
Victoria said in a low voice:
"Then shall I give you two years?"
Jiang Lin looked at her.
"Give me the documents first."
"You are such a killjoy."
Isabella glanced at her.
"He has always been like this."
Victoria stepped closer and tucked in the scarf that had been ruffled by the wind for Jiang Lin.
"But sometimes, a killjoy is very reliable."
Isabella's gaze fell on her hand.
Victoria did not pull it back immediately.
Jiang Lin looked down.
"Ladies, there are reporters at the Training Ground."
Victoria pulled back her hand.
Isabella spoke indifferently:
"You know there are reporters, yet you let someone else touch your scarf?"
Before Jiang Lin could speak, Chen Qian ran over, clutching the documents.
"Mr. Jiang, Mrs. Montclair, Mrs. Wendell."
She was breathing a bit fast.
"Hall Capital just issued a statement saying they never planned to develop the Training Ground, and they are accusing us of fabricating commercial intent."
Jiang Lin took the phone.
The statement was written in a very harsh tone.
Denying real estate development.
Denying the transfer of benefits.
Denying influencing the board of directors.
Accusing "outside speculators" of inciting the fans.
Arthur cursed.
"They really dare to say anything."
Chen Qian handed over another document.
"But I found that Gray Architectural Consultants had an old page on their official website that was deleted last night. The cache is still there, and it mentions preliminary research for the redevelopment of the Wendell suburban sports land."
Jiang Lin looked at her.
"When did you look this up?"
"After lunch."
Isabella frowned.
"Weren't you supposed to rest after lunch?"
Chen Qian said softly:
"I just looked up a little bit."
Victoria took the document, read it, and smiled.
"Miss Chen, I want to poach you even more now."
Isabella reached out and pulled Chen Qian to her side.
"No."
Chen Qian was stunned by being pulled.
Jiang Lin chuckled softly.
"Madam, your reaction was too fast."
Isabella looked at him.
"Shut up."
Victoria's smile deepened.
Chen Qian stood beside Isabella, blushing uncontrollably, but she held the documents in her hand firmly.
Jiang Lin handed the cached page to Arthur.
"Send it to the Supporters' Association."
Arthur nodded.
"Right away."
"And to the media."
Chen Qian added:
"You can add a line: If Hall Capital insists they have no development plans, please disclose all contracts with Gray Architectural Consultants."
Victoria looked at her.
"Do as Miss Chen says."
Arthur made the arrangements immediately.
At 3:00 PM, Hall Capital's statement was countered.
The fan forums exploded again.
Local media began pressing Gray Architectural Consultants.
The reporter from The Times Sports deleted the post from the morning that favored Hall and replaced it with a neutral report.
Outside the Training Ground, fans raised their scarves and began singing the team anthem.
Ethan ran over from the field, covered in sweat.
"Mr. Jiang!"
Jiang Lin looked at him.
"What is it?"
"Are you coming to the match on Saturday?"
Arthur interjected.
"It's a home game on Saturday."
Ethan looked at Jiang Lin.
"If you come, I will score."
Victoria smiled.
"The young man knows how to place his bets."
Isabella looked at Jiang Lin.
"Are you free on Saturday?"
Before Jiang Lin could answer, Victoria spoke up:
"Wendell Castle can continue to host everyone."
Isabella smiled.
"Montlais Winery still has business to attend to."
Victoria looked at her.
"But Mr. Jiang seems to need to watch the match."
Isabella looked at Jiang Lin.
"Do you need to?"
Jiang Lin looked at Ethan.
"Can you score?"
Ethan nodded.
"Yes."
"Then I will come."
Ethan smiled, turned, and ran back to the Training Ground.
Victoria said softly:
"It seems Mr. Jiang will be staying a few more days."
Isabella looked at the field.
"I will stay too."
Chen Qian looked up.
"Then I..."
Isabella said directly:
"You stay too."
Victoria smiled and said:
"The castle has enough rooms."
Isabella looked at her.
"I will arrange the rooms this time."
Victoria raised an eyebrow slightly.
"In my castle?"
"You said this morning that it's important for guests to be comfortable."
Jiang Lin looked at the two women.
"Do I have a say?"
Isabella and Victoria looked at him simultaneously.
"No."
"No."
Chen Qian couldn't help it and laughed out loud.
On the way back to the castle, the four of them rode in the same car.
Isabella sat on Jiang Lin's left.
Victoria sat on his right.
Chen Qian sat opposite them, with the documents on her lap.
The carriage was spacious, yet it still felt crowded.
Victoria looked at the scarf around Jiang Lin's neck.
"This scarf suits you well."
Isabella spoke:
"I tied the knot."
"I gave the scarf."
Chen Qian looked down at the documents, unable to suppress the corner of her mouth.
Jiang Lin leaned back in his seat.
"Can we discuss Hall Capital first?"
Isabella: "We'll discuss it tonight."
Victoria: "There's no rush now."
Jiang Lin looked at Chen Qian.
"What are you laughing at?"
Chen Qian immediately looked up.
"I wasn't."
Isabella spoke indifferently:
"She has learned to lie."
Victoria added with a smile:
"Progressing very quickly."
The car drove into the castle gates.
The rain had stopped, and a bit of cold light appeared in the sky.
When the car door opened, Irene hurried to greet them.
"Madam, the Earl has returned."
Victoria got out of the car.
"Where is he?"
"In the Great Hall."
The group entered the castle.
Edward was standing in the center of the Great Hall, with a stranger beside him.
A black overcoat, silver hair, holding a leather folder in his hand.
Victoria stopped.
"Sir Simon?"
The man bowed slightly.
"Mrs. Wendell."
Isabella asked Jiang Lin in a low voice:
"Who is that?"
Victoria replied:
"The Family Trust Inspector."
Edward spoke coldly:
"Since you are all here, that's perfect."
Sir Simon opened the folder.
"I have received a formal complaint alleging that Mrs. Wendell, under the influence of outsiders, has made several decisions that may harm the interests of the family trust."
Victoria's expression darkened.
Jiang Lin looked at Edward.
Edward sneered.
"You've had your fun for the day; now it's my turn."
The Great Hall was silent.
Sir Simon looked at Jiang Lin.
"Mr. Jiang, during the trust review, you may need to temporarily cease your involvement in Wendell Family asset affairs."
Isabella stepped forward.
"He represents Montlais Winery."
Sir Simon's tone was steady.
"This is the Wendell Family."
Victoria took off her gloves and placed them on the table nearby.
"Then conduct the review right here."
Sir Simon looked up.
"Madam?"
"Now, immediately."
She looked at Chen Qian.
"Miss Chen, get your documents."
Chen Qian clutched the documents tightly.
"Yes."
Victoria walked toward the long table in the Great Hall.
"Edward, the person you invited has arrived."
She sat down.
"Then let him see who is actually harming the interests of the Wendell Family."