Agent right to avoid conflict, believe it or not? (4,2,7)

I believe the answer is:

fact or fiction

'believe it or not?' is the definition.

'agent right to avoid conflict' is the wordplay.
'agent' becomes 'factor' (business term for a representative).
'right' becomes 'r' (common abbreviation).
'to avoid' is a deletion indicator.
'conflict' becomes 'friction' (friction is a kind of conflict).
'friction' with 'r' taken away is 'fiction'.
'factor'+'fiction'='FACT OR FICTION'

I've seen this clue in The Guardian.

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