"Rebirth of the Football Tycoon".

On the first day back at the club, David had planned to announce the team's new signings, one by one, to signal the beginning of a new era. However, before he could even settle in his office, the beautiful and poised secretary entered, bringing with her the latest news from the team.

As someone who had always been reserved in his past life, David was not accustomed to openly admiring beautiful women. In fact, he'd always been the kind of person to secretly glance at them, only to awkwardly look away if caught. Despite the changing circumstances, his instincts didn't quite shift. The secretary, a woman who exuded confidence and beauty, was someone he could never have imagined in his past life. He quickly grabbed a cup of coffee, attempting to hide his discomfort behind the mug.

But before his thoughts could wander too far, the secretary spoke, breaking the tension. "There are some key players who are asking for raises," she reported, her tone conveying both surprise and concern. "Some have even threatened to leave the club unless their demands are met."

David raised an eyebrow, not quite the reaction the secretary had expected. Instead of panic or hesitation, his voice carried a trace of amusement. "Really?" he asked, as though the news were almost too good to be true. "This is actually a blessing in disguise."

Last season, the first team had been made up of relatively unknown players, none of whom were familiar to David. These were players who, in his eyes, barely qualified for lower-tier leagues—certainly not part of his long-term plans for the club. There had been a nagging worry in David's mind about what to do with these players. Although they were not strong enough to push the team to the next level, they had contributed to the club in their own way. Kicking them out without a proper send-off seemed uncomfortable, even unfair.

But now, things were different. If these players were causing trouble by demanding raises or threatening to leave, David was prepared to let them go. "Let them go," David said, a sly smile spreading across his face. "Salary increase? Not a chance."

The secretary, visibly stunned by the coldness of his response, remained silent for a moment. She had expected him to try to negotiate, or at least show some willingness to keep the players on board. Instead, David's tone was resolute, even ruthless.

"Inform the first-team players they can start looking for new clubs," he continued, his voice firm. "We won't make it difficult for them on the transfer fee, but anyone who threatens us with a salary increase will find themselves playing in the reserves next season—if they're lucky."

David felt a surge of satisfaction at the thought of issuing such an order. His old self, the shy and timid younger brother, would have never dared to act with such decisiveness. Now, as the chairman, he relished the authority he held.

Meanwhile, the players who had received the club's directive were left in shock. The first-team squad, who had been struggling with the club's uncertain financial state and the recent news of the chairman mortgaging assets, had begun to relax when rumors spread that the club was about to make a significant investment. A high-priced signing from La Liga seemed to signal the start of a new era. The players, who had been anxiously waiting for any sign of progress, assumed that now was their time to demand more—after all, the club was clearly gearing up for the new season.

But David's actions shattered their expectations. Instead of a raise, they were being told to leave if they weren't happy with the club's terms. Some players, realizing that their demand for more money might not find an eager buyer, began to regret their bold stance. They had overestimated their market value, and now, they were paying the price.

Several of them, realizing they were in a precarious position, attempted to play their last cards by leaking information to the local media. They reached out to The Nottingham Post, hoping to rally the fans against David's harsh treatment. Their hope was that public pressure would force the chairman to reconsider and either raise their salaries or allow them to move to another club.

The news spread quickly. Notts County's internal turmoil became the talk of Nottingham. Rival fans, especially those of Nottingham Forest, reveled in the misfortune of their local rivals. The media painted a picture of chaos, suggesting that the club was on the brink of disaster. Many fans questioned the wisdom of David's decision. How could a team, stripped of its core players, hope to compete in the new season?

Notts County's first-team players were not without talent, at least within the context of the English League. They were capable of holding their own, and in previous seasons, the club had managed respectable finishes. But now, with a team of rookies and untested recruits, some wondered whether the club would even survive the upcoming season. The fans and media were quick to predict relegation, mocking the club for what they saw as a disastrous gamble.

David, however, was unfazed by the uproar. He knew that some of his decisions would be unpopular—particularly when it came to shaking up a team that had underperformed. But in his eyes, this was necessary for the long-term health of the club. If the squad was unwilling to rise to the occasion, then it was time to clear the dead weight and bring in fresh blood. Whether the new players and youth prospects would be enough to turn the team's fortunes around remained to be seen, but David was ready to stake his claim as the club's leader.

As the chapter closed, the question on everyone's mind remained: Was David's gamble genius, or would he and Notts County be heading for a swift and embarrassing fall? Only the new season would tell.