Stop .ncx from Adding Page Count

Is there a way to stop the highlighted part of the attached photo from automatically generating?

Context:

I convert .docx to epub without forcing a ToC. Then I would go in and edit to embed font and add .ncx manually.

I figured out (took me too long, but oh well, I now know) how to embed fonts prior to conversion. So now I even force the ToC.

Then Amazon told me that the page count was embedded in the file and now it's a problem (they can't adjust print length now when they could before and are citing the embed as the reason.) Took me too long to figure out where it was embedded, but I found it. Is there a way to stop that from happening in the first place or will I need to continue to go in and delete it manually? I feel like I'm missing something...

I hope I'm being clear enough in this explanation. Photo attached :)

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