Chapter 89

Millwall's first Premier League London derby ended with a resounding 3-0 victory over traditional powerhouse Arsenal, with David Dein and Arsène Wenger watching the entire match from the box.

David Dein was doing his best to suppress the rage building inside him, maintaining a calm and composed facade, though he was nearly boiling over with anger. Every time Millwall scored, Arthur, who was in the same box, would go wild with celebration. After Larsen scored the third goal, the old ruffian even opened a bottle of wine and poured a glass for David Dein, treating him as if he were a Millwall supporter rather than the chairman of Arsenal.

David Dein forced a smile and politely declined Arthur's offer, while Arsène Wenger, on official club business, naturally abstained from alcohol. If the TV cameras had captured Dein and Arthur toasting in the box, Dein, as the vice-chairman of Arsenal, would likely have had to submit his resignation upon returning to Highbury.

Dein had made up his mind to invite Wenger to coach again at the end of the year, after the J.League season ended. After all, Wenger was currently bound by contract in Japan and, out of respect, could not leave Nagoya Grampus Eight after less than a year. However, what Dein did not expect was that Arsenal's crushing defeat at The Den seemed to wake them up. After this match, the team under Rioch's leadership performed better and better, truly turning adversity into strength. This made it impossible for Dein to convince the board to fire Rioch and hire Wenger in the winter.

After the match, the Millwall players, as usual, thanked the fans in the stands. Aldridge walked back to the players' tunnel and gave an interview in the mixed zone. He modestly stated that winning this derby would boost the team's confidence, but he did not comment on Arsenal's performance. In the past, he would always praise his opponents, regardless of whether Millwall won or lost, but if he were to praise Arsenal now, it would be like slapping a label of hypocrisy on his forehead.

All of England's fans knew that Arsenal was in decline and showing no signs of improvement. Moreover, the media should be bombarding Bruce Rioch. Losing a derby to a newly promoted team, and by a 3-0 margin, was a significant blow. Most importantly, Arsenal's performance gave no hope of a revival. None of this had anything to do with Aldridge, who, that evening, invited the Spice Girls to dine at the historic Ritz Hotel in London, which has been around for nearly a century.

At the dinner table, everyone was in high spirits, especially Ginger Spice, Mel C, who was particularly curious about Aldridge and asked many probing questions. Aldridge, having finished his meal, wiped his mouth with a napkin and shrugged. "No, you're wrong, completely wrong. At least in the Premier League, managers don't earn as much as players. There might be one or two exceptions, like Ferguson, but I doubt his salary is more than Cantona's. Being a manager helps the club save money, which is true, but Millwall is operating in debt. I owe £35 million, and every day, construction contractors put pressure on us because we have a new stadium contract to fulfill. The new stadium will cost over £60 million, so despite Millwall's current success, I am actually burdened with over £100 million in debt."

The Spice Girls were all shocked. They couldn't imagine what £100 million meant.

Mel C asked hesitantly, "The Hall family is said to have assets exceeding £300 million. Even if you face debt collection, it shouldn't be a problem, right?"

Aldridge smiled and shook his head. "Assuming the rumors are true, the Hall family doesn't have £300 million in cash. If my debt problem reaches a critical point and the Hall family pays it off, their assets would significantly shrink. Competitors in the business world would know we are desperate to liquidate, and an asset worth £10 million might be sold for only £8 million. But none of this will happen because I am me, and my brother is my brother. We are independent of each other."

"What will you do? I mean, the club is your only asset. How will you earn £100 million? Are you planning to go public and raise capital? Other clubs are doing it and seem to be making a lot of money."

The 1990s saw a wave of club listings, but by the early 2000s, the football bubble began to burst rapidly.

Aldridge shook his head again. "No, the football bubble is too big. In reality, all listed football clubs are junk stocks. It's just a way to deceive fans into giving their hard-earned money to the club's shareholders. This is worse than the membership system in Spanish clubs, where members willingly pay their dues to support the club purely for the love of football. But once a club goes public, the purpose is no longer pure. Millwall will make money, and this season we have already started. We've signed several sponsorship deals, which is a good start."

The Spice Girls looked at each other, surprised. They had thought they were dining with a young, wealthy, and handsome man, but he was actually deeply in debt.

Melanie held Aldridge's hand and said softly, "When I make money, I can invest in Millwall."

Aldridge laughed. "But I won't accept it. Millwall is mine alone."

"You know what I mean."

"I know, and I refuse."

"Oh, you two, stop being so mushy. Aldridge, many girls like you. Even at the stadium, I saw several girls holding signs professing their love for you. What do you think about that?"

Mel C asked with a mischievous smile.

Aldridge raised his head and thought for a few seconds. "It's a serious topic. I want to be an excellent manager, so my private life cannot be the focus, especially not with negative news. That would have a very bad impact."

Mel C's smile widened, continuing her mischievous tone. "In the midweek edition of The Sun, a model expressed her love for you. She said she admires you and that it would be a happy thing to be your friend. Her name is Katie Price, also known as Jordan."

Aldridge frowned slightly. The name Jordan was familiar, not just the American basketball star, but also a Jordan who would become famous in English football, the "Queen of the Boobs," though her assets were fake.

"Happy? Indeed, if she were my friend, she would be happy because I could bring her exposure and fame, making her career soar. Many men would look forward to seeing a woman associated with Aldridge act provocatively. Fans who dislike me would fantasize about unzipping their pants and having their way with a woman labeled as mine, spilling their fluids on the naked images of the Page 3 girls in The Sun. But for me, it would be a disaster. My private life must remain low-key, and I would only be a stepping stone for such women. When I can no longer provide them with public appearances or keep them quiet in the tabloids, they would leave me and find the next man who can boost their careers. You have to admit, football is the most popular sport in Britain and a regular form of entertainment for fans, so star players become targets for Page 3 girls. If one day, my players or my opponents' players have a new girlfriend who was once my ex, what kind of scene would that be? A disaster! I won't lower myself to the level of the trashy headlines in the tabloids, which are shameful."

Aldridge's words were blunt, but they were the reality. With over four decades of experience, he made every decision carefully.

He wouldn't be interested in a woman who pleases men by stripping. He might fantasize about it occasionally, but he wouldn't date her because it would harm his reputation, his family's reputation, and his career.

Emma seemed to find Aldridge's words hard to accept. She said stiffly, "Aldridge, that's your prejudice."

"Oh, Emma, don't be naive. Grow up, you're almost 20. This is a world of thieves and prostitutes. There are men who are vicious, and there are women who are shameless. Just because you don't see stripping as a career doesn't mean others don't. Aldridge is right. If he weren't a club manager, if he weren't the owner, if he weren't a Hall, do you really think Jordan would publicly profess her love?"

The oldest Spice Girl, Mel C, spoke with a casual tone.

Melanie, resting her chin on her hand, smiled as she watched her sisters chat with Aldridge. She liked his sharp and insightful comments, unlike the boys who would be blinded by lust.

As they were about to leave, a stranger approached Aldridge. He was elegantly dressed, polite, and had a charming smile. Despite his white hair and advanced age, he looked vibrant and youthful.

"Excuse me, I'm sorry to interrupt. Are you Mr. Hall?"

Aldridge noticed the three Spice Girls across from him staring wide-eyed at the newcomer, looking incredulous.

Aldridge turned to look at the man, examining him. He didn't recognize him.

"Yes, I am Mr. Hall, but I'm Aldridge Hall. I'm not sure if you have the right person."

Aldridge thought the man might be looking for his older brother, Barnett Hall, or his second brother, Andrew Hall.

The man smiled and extended his hand, introducing himself. "George Armani. It seems I have the right person. May I sit down? I hope I'm not interrupting your dinner with these beautiful ladies."

Aldridge was taken aback for a second. He still didn't recognize the man, but from the Spice Girls' expressions and the man's name, he guessed who he was.

The famous Armani, the renowned fashion designer who defined the 1980s as the "Armani Era."