At the far end of the rooftop, the Ridge Rovers FC yers and staff, including the club''s current owner, Theodore Graves, and Coach Harris, gathered together, looking slightly out of ce amidst the opulence of NovaTech''s grandunch.


    Theodore, a shrewd businessman who had owned the club for years, stood with his hands sped behind his back, his eyes scanning the event with calcted interest.


    Though he was no stranger to high-end events, even he couldn''t help but be impressed by the scale and grandeur Ethan had put together.


    Beside him, Coach Harris, the club''s long-serving manager, quietly marveled at the spectacle. He was more ustomed to the loud cheers of football stadiums than these luxurious gatherings. Still, he had an appreciation for what it all meant.


    The two men spoke little but shared an understanding—this wasn''t just another businessunch. With all its glitz and mor, this event marked the beginning of something muchrger.


    Ethan Cole wasn''t just another ambitious young businessman; he was a visionary. Ridge Rovers FC was about to be part of his grand design.


    A few steps away, Marcus and Eric, two of Ridge Rovers''s yers, explored the venue with wide-eyed wonder. Both had been to a few fancy events, but nothing like this. Their rtionship improved after both got some helpful tips from Ethan during thest practice match.


    "This ce is unreal," Marcus whispered, nudging Eric with his elbow. His eyes scanned the holographic tech disys hovering mid-air, showcasing Novatech''s uing innovations.


    The technology seemed like something out of a science fiction movie, and Marcus felt a bit like a kid in a candy store.


    Eric nodded in agreement, his face lit up in awe. "I''ve never seen anything like this," he added, staring at one of the disys that projected a futuristic cityscape, outlining NovaTech''s vision for smart cities. "If this is what Ethan''s doing with hispany, I can''t imagine what he will do for our club."


    Marcus grinned, an idea sparking in his mind. "You think with all this money, we could convince him to sign a few world-ss yers? Like maybe Mauri or Ricardo?"


    Ericughed, shaking his head. "Mate, we could sign them both with the cash Ethan''s throwing around! Imagine that—Ridge Rovers with Mauri, Ricardo, and maybe throw in Naiman for good measure."


    Their yful banter didn''t go unnoticed. One of the senior yers, Gavin, overheard and couldn''t help but join in with a grin.


    "Yeah, right! You''re dreaming,ds," he said, his voice full of amusement. "If Ethan bought all those world-ss yers, you do realize we''d be out of the squad? We wouldn''t even make the bench!"


    Marcus pretended to look offended. "What are you talking about? I''m sure I''d still be the first name on the team sheet! Maybe I''d even give Ricardo some tips on his free kicks."


    Gavin chuckled, pping Marcus on the back. "Keep dreaming, mate. If Ethan brings in those yers, you, me, and half the squad will be out of a job. We''d all be packing our bags along with Theodore."


    At the mention of Theodore, everyone''s attention briefly shifted to their club owner, who had been listening in on the conversation with a raised brow and a smirk.


    "Is that so?" Theodore said, his voice light but with a hint of teasing in it.


    The yersughed, but Marcus raised his hands in mock surrender. "Alright, alright, we''ll stop talking about signing world-ss yers! Don''t give Ethan any ideas. Guess we''ll just have to train harder."


    Eric nodded enthusiastically. "Exactly. No Ricardo, no Mauri. Just us working hard. We''ll be the world-ss yers before you know it!"


    The group erupted intoughter, but there was a real sense of camaraderie beneath the light-hearted banter. Despite the jokes, everyone knew that significant changes were on the horizon, and the uncertainty of the future lingered in their minds.


    As theughter died down, Coach Harris took a step closer to Theodore, his tone more serious now. "So, Theo… you really sue about selling the club?"


    Theodore''s smile faded slightly, and he sighed heavily, ncing at the yers momentarily before returning to the coach. "Yeah, Harris. I am. I''ve been thinking about it for a while now. If I hold on to the club, we''ll never be able topete with the big teams."


    His eyes showed that he was reluctant, "You know how it is—the football world is ruled by money now. Sponsorship deals, big-money signings, oil billionaires buying up clubs—it''s a different game than when I took over."


    Harris frowned, crossing his arms over his chest. "Theo, I don''t think that''s entirely fair. The club''s done well under your leadership. We''vee a long way, and the fans respect you. You''ve kept the spirit of the club alive."


    Theodore chuckled softly, shaking his head. "I appreciate that, but we both know it''s not enough anymore."


    He took a sip of his wine, savoring its vor, then remarked, "Consider the major leagues—teams are spending hundreds of millions just on transfer fees. The yers are asking for astronomical sries. It''s gotten to the stage where you can''t attract top talent unless you have billionaire backers. And let''s be honest, I''m not one of those."


    Harris didn''t disagree, but he wasn''t willing to let Theodore shoulder all the me. "It''s not your fault, Theo. The game''s changed. Oil money and corporate giants are buying up the entire football world. Competing with that is impossible unless you sell your soul."


    Theodore''s expression grew distant, his gaze drifting over the glittering skyline beyond the rooftop. "Maybe so. But I can''t ignore what''s best for the club. Ethan''s got the resources to take Ridge Rovers to the next level. If I hold on to it, we''ll stay where we are—alwayspeting but never breaking through. He could make us something bigger."


    Harris was quiet momentarily before asking, "You''d really walk away?"


    Theodore sighed again, but this time, there was a hint of something more—regret, perhaps. "I don''t know if I can, to be honest. Football''s in my blood. This club… it''s more than just a business to me. It''s my passion. I love it.


    I always have. That''s why I think if Ethan buys the club, maybe I could stay on in some capacity. Maybe not as the owner, but in some other role."


    Harris tilted his head, intrigued. "Like what?"n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    Theodore shrugged. "I don''t know. Maybe a director''s position or something in the boardroom. Something where I can still be a part of the club. I might not be able to run it anymore, but I don''t think I can ever let it gopletely."


    There was a pause between the two men, the weight of Theodore''s words hanging in the air. Harris ced a hand on his friend''s shoulder, giving it a firm squeeze. "You''ll always be part of this club, Theo. Whether you sell it or not, you built something here. Something real. And no billionaire can take that away from you."


    Theodore gave a small, grateful smile, though the uncertainty in his eyes remained. "I hope you''re right, Harris. I really do."


    The yers, oblivious to the depth of Theodore and Harris''s conversation, continued to joke andugh nearby, their excitement about the future masking the undercurrent of change about to sweep through their club. But for Theodore and Harris, the reality was settling in. Change wasing, and there was no stopping it.


    As the yers marveled at their surroundings, another rooftop section held a different guest. Representatives from five of Novan City''s Twelve Great Families mingled among themselves, their presencemanding respect from those around them.