“Certainly,” I replied, taking one other sip of champagne.

Christos nodded. “The charity occasion and the… misunderstanding between us have been unlucky. However let’s deal with the long run, lets?”

He took a sip of his whiskey, and I narrowed my eyes, assessing him. I knew what he was doing.

He was skirting round the actual challenge. Neither Nikolaos’ insult, nor the charity ball was the issue right here, and we each knew it. Possibly he was testing me, seeing if I knew what Nikolaos had performed towards the Stefanidis household. Possibly he wasn’t. Understanding I wanted to take the lead, I cleared my throat and addressed the elephant within the room.

“The incident with the Stefanidis’ ships—that’s what all of that is actually about, isn’t it?” I mentioned immediately, slicing via the diplomatic dance proper to the supply.

He paused for a second, as if weighing his phrases earlier than he responded. “It’s a big half of the present… state of affairs,” he admitted cautiously. His gaze searched mine, and I lifted my chin, holding my floor.

“I perceive it was a drastic measure,” I continued, “but it surely was a response to a direct menace. That’s all it was.”

Christos sighed, a touch of frustration in his expression. “It’s a posh challenge. It’s created lots of pink tape for me.”

“I perceive it’s been tough for you, however we’re in search of a decision between you two, not ongoing battle,” I asserted. “There’s room for negotiation. We will discover a center floor.”

Christos nodded slowly, seemingly contemplating my phrases. “Negotiation is likely to be attainable. However it gained’t be easy.”

“I didn’t anticipate it to be,” I mentioned firmly. “However it’s obligatory. For all events concerned.”

“Somebody must reply for it,” Christos asserted, his tone indicating that the matter was removed from settled.

I paused, then confidently mentioned, “I’ve an concept.”

Christos cleared his throat, his expression shifting to one in every of blatant shock. Elevating an eyebrow, he requested, “And what may that be?”

“The Pappas household has been inflicting issues for you, haven’t they?” I started, leaning into the dialog. “Their encroachment on what you are promoting territories, undercutting your contracts, and spreading rumors, to not point out your work on the underground trafficking ring the Ministry has been working to uncover for practically a decade.”

Christos’ eyes opened large in disbelief earlier than he nodded, a grim acknowledgment in his gaze. “They’ve been a persistent thorn in my aspect for a very long time.”

“Possibly we will use this example to our benefit. What if we might shift the blame for the Stefanidis’ ships incident onto the Pappas household? It will actually tie up various issues for you, wouldn’t it?” I continued.

His eyes narrowed as he thought-about the suggestion. “That’s a daring transfer.”

“It will require pooling our sources, a little bit of… artistic strategizing,” I mentioned, cautious to gauge his response.

He didn’t appear to hate the thought. In actual fact, he regarded like he was taking to it like a fish to water.

Christos leaned again, a sluggish smile spreading throughout his face. “That would clear up fairly just a few of my issues for me…” His eyes flashed to mine. “However how would we do it?”

“We will begin by fabricating some paperwork and communications that indicate the Pappas household’s involvement within the transport incident,” I continued. “These would have to be convincing however untraceable again to us. Possibly some cast emails or monetary information that recommend they funded the operation.”

Christos nodded in settlement. “I’ve contacts who can create such paperwork. We’ll want to make sure they’re leaked on the proper second, ideally when the Pappas household is weak.”

“Precisely,” I mentioned. “And we must also have just a few well-placed rumors within the media. Nothing too direct, simply delicate hints that result in suspicion. As soon as the authorities begin investigating, the planted proof will do the remaining.”

Christos regarded considerate, “This requires exact timing and execution.”

“We’ll have to coordinate our efforts intently,” I concluded. “It’s a dangerous play, however with the correct strikes, we will flip this example to our benefit.”

“I need to admit, I’m impressed.”

Sipping the remainder of my champagne, I positioned the empty glass on the bar and Christos shortly flagged down the bartender to get me one other.

“A play like this will surely take the Pappas household out of the image,” he mused, circling his glass of whiskey in his hand. I watched the amber liquid climb the perimeters intently earlier than I locked my gaze together with his as soon as extra.

“That it could,” I replied casually.

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