"Alright, alright. Let's put this trivial matter aside for now and get to the main topic!" Leon Thompson waved his hand, as if this was a matter as insignificant as dust, something he could just toss aside.

"You! Have you forgotten what I told you back in '92?"

"'92?" Leon Thompson covered his forehead, his blue eyes inherited from his mother darting around. "Oh! Damn! Are you talking about...?"

"That's right!" Carney was very pleased with his friend's reaction, and then dropped an even bigger bombshell. "That bastard Cecchi Gori can't hold on any longer, I'm preparing to buy out Fiorentina!" As he spoke, Carney extended his hand: "Come on! Brother, just like I said back then, let's join forces and build a dynasty together!"

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Chapter 2 About Fiorentina

Leon Thompson stared blankly at the large hand in front of him, until Carter across from him started to protest, feeling his arm going numb: "Even if you're so shocked by the surprise that you don't know how to respond, at least help me hold my hand up, will you?"

Curling his lips, Leon Thompson finally realized what kind of news his friend had just told him. He gave Carter's hand a light pat. "April Fool's was two months ago, your joke is a bit late, don't you think?" He didn't believe what Carter said could become reality, because the funds needed to buy a club aren't that easy to gather. Besides, Fiorentina's current chairman, Cecchi Gori, is a downright scoundrel and extremely greedy.

At the same time, this guy treats the Fiorentina club as his own 'private' property.

As far as Leon Thompson knew, this guy would never let go of Fiorentina. Even if he sold, it would only be a partial stake. So, Leon Thompson didn't think Carter could successfully take over Fiorentina, and he himself wasn't willing to work under that detestable Cecchi Gori—even assuming Carter could buy a partial stake.

"You think I'm joking?" Withdrawing his hand, Carter had a smug smile on his lips. "Looks like you haven't paid attention to your hometown team for a while."

"Hmm?" Carter's words made Leon Thompson realize he might have missed something, but he couldn't recall it right away. Sometimes memory is like looking for something—the more anxious you are, the harder it is to find. After a while, when you don't need it, it suddenly appears in front of you.

"Besides Fiorentina's terrible record, is there any other valuable information?" Plus, Leon Thompson had been busy with graduation matters recently, with several certificates requiring final exams, so he hadn't had time to pay attention to this news.

"Oh! God! Fiorentina has been relegated! Didn't you know? Such a serious matter and you just call it a bad record!" Carter was a bit 'agitated', even waving his arms unconsciously. "This is just terrible! I can't believe this is the same purple team that used to give all the Serie A giants headaches! After Gabriel and Manuel left, did they take all the purple glory with them?"

The Italian Serie A season ended half a month ago, and all 18 clubs had confirmed their final rankings. The traditional powerhouse, nicknamed the Viola, Fiorentina, ended up 17th on the table with 22 points, becoming one of the three relegated teams.

Carter's 'agitated', even somewhat noisy voice didn't bother Leon Thompson, because he knew this guy was a die-hard Fiorentina fan. And he himself was shocked by the information revealed in Carter's words.

Relegated? Fiorentina? Damn! What year is it? 2002? I actually forgot about this!

Taking out his phone to double-check the year, Leon Thompson finally realized what he had overlooked. And this made the time-traveler, who planned to make football his future career, feel a bit ashamed—he actually forgot something so important. Was he so muddled by graduation and qualification exams? He must never make this kind of mistake again.

Not noticing the change in Leon Thompson's expression, Carter calmed himself and continued, "Not only that, Cecchi Gori has fallen into a financial crisis, and Fiorentina is also facing a huge budget deficit."

"So? You're planning to take the opportunity to buy Fiorentina?"

"Actually! I've already made an offer to Cecchi Gori!" When Carter said this, his expression was a bit unnatural, though he thought he hid it well.

Unfortunately, he couldn't escape the notice of Leon Thompson, whose attention was now fully focused. "Looks like he didn't accept your offer!" Draining the now-cold coffee in front of him, Leon Thompson's blunt words didn't leave his good friend any face at all.