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The count had called him once again.

To him, the count was a leech, sucking everything from him. Now was no exception. Ezra had cut off the count\'s supply and now the man had called him to demand more.

He stopped a few feet away from the throne, his posture, one of respect.

"Ezra," Griffin\'s voice echoed through the room, sharp and expectant. "Explain why you halted the transfer of assets and the development of our partnership with TransitLink."

Ezra bowed slightly in respect before responding. "Count, we\'ve encountered unexpected regulatory hurdles that require us to halt operations temporarily. I\'m working diligently to address these issues and comply with all necessary regulations."

Griffin\'s eyes narrowed. "Regulatory hurdles? What kind, specifically?"

"Newly implemented local regulations," Ezra replied smoothly. "They were introduced suddenly and have complicated our operations. We need time to ensure full compliance."

Griffin leaned forward, his fingers tapping rhythmically on the armrest of his throne. "And why wasn\'t I informed of these regulatory changes immediately?"

"I wanted to gather all necessary information and have a clear plan of action before bringing it to your attention, Count," Ezra answered, maintaining steady eye contact. "I didn\'t want to present a problem without a solution."

Griffin\'s gaze bore into him, searching for any sign of deceit. "Is that the only reason, Ezra Matten? Regulatory issues? Nothing else?"

Ezra smirked internally. He had prepared these excuses with Olivia and Red. Whatever the count asked, he knew he already had an answer.

He shook his head in response to Griffin\'s question, his face expressionless. "We\'ve also identified several operational inefficiencies that needed to be addressed. Halting operations gives us the time to streamline these processes and improve overall efficiency."

Griffin\'s skepticism was noticable. "Operational inefficiencies? Such as?"

"Our logistics network, for one," Ezra said. "We\'ve discovered redundancies and bottlenecks that, if left unaddressed, could severely impact our productivity and profitability. By pausing operations, we can implement the necessary changes to ensure smoother processes moving forward. This was not something that could be solved with our Aura alone."

Griffin reclined back, his fingers steepled. "Inefficiencies can be dealt with without halting operations entirely. What else is there?"

Ezra raised his chin in preparation, knowing this was the critical point. "There are also risks associated with proceeding at this time. To mitigate potential dangers, I\'ve decided it\'s best to halt operations temporarily. This will allow us to implement necessary safeguards and ensure a stable path forward."

"What risks?" Griffin\'s interruption was immediate, an Aura of anger descending upon the room. "What risk would dare impede a vampire, Ezra Matten. Explain yourself." His voice was perfectly level, nothing of the anger in his Aura showing on his face or voice.

"Security threats," Ezra replied without missing a beat. "We\'ve identified vulnerabilities that could be exploited. By pausing, we can fortify our defenses and protect our interests."

Griffin\'s eyes flickered with a mix of suspicion and contemplation. "Security threats. That\'s a serious claim, Ezra. It was the Black Spider that was attacked, not Ascendant."

"Ascendant Capital was in fact, attacked by the Silent Hand on that same night." Ezra rebutted. "It was only due to the actions of my first wife, Olivia Wild, that Ascendant didn\'t suffer a similar fate to the Black Spider."

Griffin sat silently, staring at Ezra.

"And I wouldn\'t take such measures unless I believed it was absolutely necessary to protect our operations and your investments." Ezra concluded with another respectful nod.

There was a long pause as Griffin studied him, his mind clearly working through the information. Finally, he nodded, seemingly appeased. His Aura receded. "Very well. But this situation better be temporary, Ezra. I expect all operations to resume once these issues are addressed."

Ezra inclined his head. "Of course, Count. This is a temporary measure to ensure the longevity and success of our partnership."

Griffin leaned back on his throne, relaxed. "This Silent Hand is becoming a threat. I cannot interfere directly but I can step in indirectly."

Ezra immediately tensed.

"I will be sending my assistant to assist you, in taking care of them. coordinate with her." Griffin commanded.

"Yes, my count." Ezra nodded sharply. Inwardly, he knew what this was. Griffin\'s attempt to keep a close eye on them. The count probably suspected that Ezra was trying to cut a deal with Silent Hand. It didn\'t matter. He was planning on fighting them anyways.

"You know, Ezra," Griffin\'s gaze remained intense, even as his tone stayed casual, "the complexities of our operations require not just competence, but unwavering loyalty. Especially with the developments I have planned."

There was a beat of silence as Ezra felt the weight of Griffin\'s gaze, understanding the unspoken demand. "Of course, Count. Loyalty is paramount in ensuring our mutual success."

Griffin nodded slowly, his eyes narrowing slightly. "Particularly with the upcoming initiatives in Southside. Those plans will need trusted individuals to see them through. Individuals who are committed to me without reservation."

Ezra met Griffin\'s gaze steadily. "I\'m aware of the significance of those plans. You can count on my dedication, Count. Every step of the way."

Until I rip your heart out myself.

The Count\'s lips curled into a faint smile, his eyes gleaming with approval. "Good to hear, Ezra. I expect nothing less from you. The success of our future endeavors hinges on our ability to trust one another implicitly. I know my trust won\'t be misplaced."

Ezra inclined his head slightly. "I understand, Count. After taking care of these situations, I will ensure our operations proceed smoothly."

Griffin\'s smile grew, though it held a hint of something darker. "Excellent. Then let\'s make sure we stay in close communication, Ezra. Any developments or potential setbacks must be addressed swiftly."

Ezra nodded, knowing what the count was after. "Agreed. I\'ll keep you informed of all progress and any issues that arise."

The count was definitely planning something in relation to Southside. He would be keeping an eye on Ezra and using him for whatever he had planned.

He had managed to placate Griffin for now, but he knew the real battle was just beginning.

The enemy of my enemy is my friend. He stared at Griffin. For now. We\'ll face the silent hand. After... it\'s you, Count Griffin.