Chapter 207: Establishing an Empire

"This money will serve as the initial funding to purchase 100,000 square meters of land near the Roca Mountains and build a stadium exclusively for Mallorca. The initial investment is 26 million, but the total investment is expected to reach 150 million. Beyond this dividend payout, we will still need to invest at least 124 million. Based on our club shares, I personally need to contribute 86.8 million, while as the second-largest shareholder, Mr. Grande, you'll need to invest 37.2 million. Once the project is complete, Mallorca's total assets will exceed 200 million, making it one of Spain's top clubs."

José spoke casually, but his words nearly gave Grande a heart attack. It wasn't the claim that Mallorca would become one of Spain's top clubs that shocked him—it was the financial commitment that José was laying out.

An initial investment of 26 million, followed by at least another 124 million—meaning Grande wouldn't just receive no immediate return, but he'd also have to invest at least 37.2 million more.

And that was just the minimum. José had estimated a total investment of 150 million, but as someone familiar with the construction business, Grande knew that no project ever stuck to its budget. Costs always overran—rising material prices, increased labor costs, project delays—everything added up. The construction industry had high profits, but with high profits came high risks, much like real estate. A broken financial chain could spell disaster.

"100,000 square meters?! Do we really need that much? Even Camp Nou only takes up 50,000!" Grande shouted, feeling like José was playing a joke on him.

"I'm not just building a stadium," José said nonchalantly. "The stadium itself, including the stands, will only take up 40,000 square meters. The rest will be set aside for future expansion and will include two large entertainment centers, a fan plaza, various commercial facilities such as merchandise shops, bars, and nightclubs... In short, I'm not just building a stadium—I'm building a football city that represents Mallorca! 150 million is a conservative estimate—it'll just get the project started. Any shortfall, I'll finance or take out loans. Local banks in Mallorca are quite generous with lending right now."

"Are you insane? Will the Balearic Parliament even approve this?" Grande wanted to argue further. Normally, Mallorca had strict environmental protection laws—even the restoration of private castles required council approval. But this was an unusual time. The entire Llucmajor region, spanning 400 square kilometers, was undergoing large-scale development. If there was ever a time to build a stadium, this was it. The district council likely wanted to push for large-scale development all at once because getting land approved for future projects would only get harder and more expensive.

Grande fell into deep thought. As a shrewd businessman, he understood how much revenue a football city could generate for Mallorca. If it was built, his position as the club's second-largest shareholder would bring in massive profits. Compared to investing in other real estate projects in Llucmajor, this might not be any less lucrative.

However, for Grande personally and his investment firm, the risks were too high. The upfront capital was significant, and the return on investment would take too long. Investment companies like his thrived on quick and hot money. A long-term project like a football stadium was not their usual play.

Worse still, this scale of investment would require his entire firm's available funds, which the other shareholders—who were even greedier than he was—would never agree to.

Of course, Grande could simply refuse to invest and let José take on all the financial risk. But then his shares in Mallorca would be diluted to the point of insignificance. Even if the club turned a massive profit in the future, his earnings would be negligible.

After careful consideration, Grande decided to concede. While he was displeased with José's tactics, a good businessman never let emotions interfere with profits. Selling now still ensured a hefty return. His initial purchase of 30% of Mallorca had only cost him four to five million total—a higher price than the Asensio family had paid, but still a bargain.

Now, with Mallorca's assets nearing 80 million—thanks to additional investments, player value appreciation, and upcoming Champions League revenue—his shares were worth over 20 million. Cashing out now would mean a solid profit.

With this money, his firm, Delac Investments, could jump into the Llucmajor land rush. Though they were a year late, and prime locations had been snapped up by savvy locals and big capital, there was still time to get in. Even if they simply built and resold, the returns would be significant.

Having weighed all options, Grande quickly made up his mind. He had no real alternatives. Staying in meant facing excessive financial burden, and doing nothing wasn't an option either. The only move was to sell his shares and exit. And there was only one buyer—José. No one else would pay over 20 million in cash for 30% of Mallorca.

Football clubs weren't an easy investment. There were far more lucrative places to put money. Even when Abramovich later poured cash into Chelsea, his real goal was influence—his rising profile made him untouchable back in Russia. Similarly, the oil-rich Arabs burning money at Manchester City were simply indulging in an expensive hobby.

"Alright, José. You win," Grande finally said, shaking his head with a wry smile. "When you first took over midseason, I never imagined this day would come… I certainly didn't expect that old fox Asensio to sell his shares to you… Looks like Mallorca is all yours now. Name your price. If it's fair, the whole club is yours."

José exchanged a glance with his father. Both smiled knowingly.

They had anticipated Grande's reaction. No smart investor would sit idly by and let a prime opportunity pass, nor would they tie up capital in a long-term project when quicker profits were available elsewhere. Grande had delayed his decision, hoping to take a cut from both Mallorca's dividends and Llucmajor's boom. But seeing that further hesitation could leave him empty-handed, he had chosen the wiser path—giving up on Mallorca to seize a real estate opportunity.

Grande was a textbook businessman—profit above all else. His decision made perfect sense.

"Mr. Grande, I don't want to take advantage of you," José said calmly. "Let's leave it to the appraisers. They'll evaluate Mallorca's current market value, and I'll buy your shares at fair market price. That way, you won't lose out, and I'll be satisfied as well."

Grande nodded, wasting no time. "Fine. Call me tomorrow. We'll finalize the deal."

With that, he nodded toward the Alemanys, then strode out of the meeting room.

"Well, José, Mallorca is officially all yours now," Alemany Sr. said with a smile.

Despite now technically working for his son, he felt no resentment—after all, there was nothing bad about working for one's own child. In Europe, this was fairly common.

"When the transfer is complete, I'd like to renegotiate your contract," José said, grinning at his surprised father. "Annual salary: five million dollars, paid every July 1st. That should help you finalize your hotel investment."

Alemany Sr. blinked in surprise before breaking into laughter.

He now remembered José's promise: "I'll handle the later investments."

Five million per year was more than enough to upgrade and expand the hotel he was already building.

At first, he thought José was just trying to be a filial son. But in reality, José was simply exploiting a loophole—since he was restricted from making direct investments, he structured it as a salary instead.

If he couldn't invest outright, he could still spend money however he wanted. Hiring his father and setting his salary at whatever amount he pleased? That was fair game.

Rules were rules—but loopholes were meant to be exploited. Even against the underworld itself, José would always find a way to bend the system in his favor.

Now, he could finally breathe easy.

Though he hadn't won the league title this season, it was still a successful year. He had removed an obstructive shareholder, taken full control of the club, and secured his father's investment.

This summer, José could finally relax.