Ilya leaned back in his chair, his fingers steepled as he regarded Roman with a cool, calculating gaze. The tension in the room was palpable as he processed the information presented to him.
After a long moment, Ilya spoke, his voice calm but firm. "Mr. Povich, I must admit your proposal is... intriguing. The connections you claim to possess are indeed valuable. However, I'm afraid I must decline your offer of partnership."
Roman's confident smile faltered slightly. "Decline? But surely you see the potential here, Ilya. The power we could wield together—"
Ilya raised a hand, cutting him off. "I see the potential, yes. But I also see the risks. And in our line of work, Mr. Povich, risks can be fatal."
