Velvet Kitchen sat on the corner of Fifth and Main, its dark wood facade and brass fixtures screaming expensive.
Maddox adjusted his tie as he walked through the heavy glass doors. The hostess, a young woman with perfectly styled hair, looked him up and down.
"I’m here to et Sarah Mitchell," he said.
"Right this way, sir."
She led him through the dining room, past tables where n in suits talked in low voices over steaks and wine.
Sarah Mitchell stood up as he approached. She was younger than he’d expected, maybe mid-thirties, with sharp eyes and a firm handshake.
Next to her sat a man who looked like he’d played football himself—broad shoulders, weathered face, the kind of presence that filled a room.
"Mr. Maddox, pleasure to et you. This is Marcus Webb, our youth developnt director."
Marcus stood and extended his hand. His grip was strong, testing. "Good to et you, Maddox. I’ve heard good things."
They sat down at a table by the window. The waitress appeared imdiately, taking drink orders. Water for Maddox, coffee for Sarah, sothing stronger for Marcus.
"So," Sarah said, opening a leather folder. "Let’s talk about Northcastle Rising Stars."
She slid a sheet of paper across the table. Team stats, league standings, player profiles. Maddox scanned the information, his eyes catching on the key numbers.
"Tell about Hastings Coastal Academy," he said.
Marcus leaned forward. "Good team. Well-organized. They’ve been in second place for most of the season. Their coach has been there three years, knows his players inside and out."
"What’s their style?"
"Defensive. They’ll sit back, make you work for every inch. Counter-attack when they get the chance. Physical team too. They’re not afraid to get into battles."
Maddox nodded. He’d faced teams like that before. Patient, disciplined, hard to break down.
"And our team?"
"Talented but inconsistent," Sarah said. "They can play beautiful football when everything clicks. But they struggle with pressure. Big monts make them nervous."
"Any leadership issues?"
Marcus grunted. "Captain’s solid. Jack stones, center-back. Good kid, leads by example. But when things get tough, so of the others disappear."
The waitress returned with their drinks. Maddox sipped his water, thinking. A team that crumbled under pressure, facing their biggest ga of the season. Not ideal.
"What happened to the previous coach?"
"Family ergency," Sarah said. "He said his father had a recurring heart attack. He resigned and flew back to Ireland three days ago. Completely understandable, but it left us in a tough spot."
"How are the players handling it?"
"They’re rattled," Marcus admitted. "They liked him. Trusted him. Now they’re wondering if they can pull this off without him."
Maddox set down his water glass. "What makes you think I can help?"
Sarah pulled out another folder. "Your record at Silvergate Sailors. When you took over, they were a disorganized team. Four months later, although you didn’t complete the season, they beca a standard youth team. You know how to turn things around quickly."
"Most importantly, you understand pressure. You understand what it takes to get players believing in themselves again."
The food arrived. Grilled salmon for Sarah, steak for Marcus, chicken for Maddox. They ate in comfortable silence for a few minutes, each lost in their own thoughts.
"Let’s talk about the contract," Sarah said, cutting into her salmon.
Maddox’s fork paused halfway to his mouth. "I haven’t said yes yet."
"But you’re interested. I can tell."
She wasn’t wrong. Everything about this opportunity appealed to him. The challenge, the timing, the potential for sothing bigger.
"What are you offering?"
Sarah wiped her mouth with her napkin. "Three-year contract. Base salary of two hundred thousand terra per year."
Maddox nearly choked on his chicken. Two hundred thousand was more than he’d made in his entire career combined.
"That’s generous," he managed.
"We believe in paying for quality. But there’s more. Full accommodation in our residential complex. Utilities included. al allowance. Access to all academy facilities."
Marcus jumped in. "The residential complex is nice. Two-bedroom apartnts, fully furnished. Walking distance to the training ground. Most of our staff live there."
"And if we qualify for the NextGen Ascension League?"
"Performance bonuses," Sarah said. "Significant ones. Plus, NextGen exposure ans bigger opportunities down the line."
Maddox put down his fork. The offer was almost too good to be true. Which made him suspicious.
"What’s the catch?"
Sarah and Marcus exchanged glances.
"The catch," Marcus said, "is that you have six days to get these kids ready for the biggest ga of their lives. And if you fail, everyone will know about it."
"Scouts will be watching," Sarah added. "dia coverage. The works. Win, and you’re the hero who saved the season. Lose, and you’re the coach who couldn’t get it done when it mattered."
Maddox leaned back in his chair. High risk, high reward. The kind of situation that could make or break a career.
"I need to see the team first," he said.
"Of course. Training session tomorrow morning, nine AM. You can observe, et the players, get a feel for what you’re working with."
"And if I don’t like what I see?"
"Then you walk away. No hard feelings."
Sarah signaled for the check. "But I don’t think you’ll walk away. You’re not the type."
She was right about that. Maddox had never been good at walking away from challenges. Even when he probably should have.
"I’ll be there tomorrow," he said.
"Excellent." Sarah stood and shook his hand. "Welco to Northcastle Rising Stars, Mr. Harper. I have a feeling this is going to be the start of sothing special."
As they walked out of the restaurant, Maddox felt the weight of the mont. Six days to prove himself. Six days to show that all the setbacks, all the disappointnts, had been leading to this.
He pulled out his phone and scrolled to Elira’s number. He wanted to tell soone about this. Share the excitent, the nervousness, the possibility of everything changing.
But he hesitated. Once he made this call, once he said the words out loud, it would be real. No going back.
He pressed dial.
"Elira? It’s . You’re not going to believe what just happened."
The afternoon sun felt warm on his face as he walked back to his car. Tomorrow, he would et his new team. Tomorrow, the real work would begin.
Tonight, he would celebrate. Just a little.
He had earned it.
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