Ethan stood in the virtual tunnel of Hillsborough Stadium, the ghost of his team's heartbreaking defeat still hanging in the air.
The cup run was over.
The million-pound dream was dead.
This new offer... it wasn't just a second chance.
It was a lifeline.
A high-stakes, all-or-nothing gamble for the one thing that could protect his team from its own brilliant, chaotic nature. The 'Composure' trait.
He thought of the 6-2 meltdown against Burton.
He thought of his sister's tired, hollowed-out eyes. He thought of the new, heavy weight of responsibility on his shoulders.
He took a deep breath, his decision hardening into a core of pure, unshakeable resolve. He opened the message thread and typed his reply.
Accept.
A new message came back almost instantly.
The Wager is set. The match will be scheduled for the first available date after your next league fixture. Details to follow. Good luck, Manager. You're going to need it.
