Special Investigation Group Office Area, Team Leader’s Office.

Behind the desk, Mona sat in the chair that usually belonged to Luo An, rubbing her hands constantly, her cheeks slightly flushed with excitement:

“Luo An, are you sure I can hack into the White House’s network system this time?”

“…”

Luo An raised his hand to rub his temples, his expression very helpless.

Back in that small building, neither Mr. Clement nor Trick Kennedy had specifically disclosed Ms. Ingeborg and Mr. Maximilian’s real identities.

After returning to the Special Investigation Group, Luo An wanted to investigate their identities, so he logged into the FBI’s internal database and started looking up information related to them.

Ms. Ingeborg’s information was quickly found by Luo An, and the data showed that she held a position in the Federal Open Market Committee of the Federal Reserve.

The overall design system of the Federal Reserve is very complex, mainly including the Board of Governors, the Federal Open Market Committee, Federal Reserve Banks, three thousand member banks, and three advisory committees, in addition to many other departments.

The Federal Open Market Committee, where Ms. Ingeborg is located, meets eight times a year in Washington on average every six weeks, responsible for decision-making and executing open market operations, reviewing economic and financial conditions, and determining appropriate monetary policy stances.

Every time the Federal Reserve pumps money into the world, there are more or less certain members from this department involved.

Although Ms. Ingeborg’s specific position is not that high, she has held a crucial position in this department for over thirty years, with significant connections and influence.

Luo An took mental notes of this information seriously and then prepared to check out Mr. Maximilian’s information.

However, the FBI database only showed Mr. Maximilian’s name and basic information, such as his position in the White House personnel office.

When trying to access more specific details, the FBI database either showed nothing or indicated that Luo An did not have the required clearance.

Since Reesi hadn’t returned yet, Luo An called Mona into the team leader’s office to help operate the system.

Mona worked for a moment and finally concluded that Mr. Maximilian’s information in the FBI database was among the top-secret category.

She could find a way to get the specific content, but couldn’t do it without leaving a trace. The FBI’s Monitoring Department would definitely send someone to the Special Investigation Group for questioning afterward.

Upon hearing this, Luo An immediately asked Mona to stop.

In fact, Luo An wasn’t too surprised by this outcome. Just like in that country across the ocean, certain departments dealing with confidential information only display the names of key figures, with all other information inaccessible. This is the case worldwide.

Despite knowing this, Luo An still felt a bit of a headache. Seeing Luo An’s expression, Mona thought for a few seconds and proposed her plan:

Since the FBI database route was not feasible, why not directly try the White House’s internal network instead?

Luo An was stunned to hear this, as if Mona’s suggestion was: since we can’t take the train, let’s just build a plane.

“It’s not that exaggerated!”

Mona waved her hand, stood up, walked to Luo An, and explained in a low voice:

“Whether it’s the FBI internal network, the CIA internal network, or the White House internal network, their exterior structures may differ, but inside, they’re all the same.

There’s a surface-level database for ordinary agents to use; the next layer is a mid-level database for managerial staff; and beneath that, there’s a core database that only top personnel have access to.”

“I understand.”

Luo An nodded. He had studied network knowledge with Mona for some time and understood this pyramid-like system design concept. He continued, saying:

“The problem is, the White House is the political center of the nation, and its network system must be stricter than the FBI’s.”

“You’ve made a very interesting joke, Luo An.”

Mona’s eyes flitted with an odd color as she softly said:

“In fact, every year, the number of hackers who successfully infiltrate the White House’s surface network far exceeds those who successfully penetrate the FBI’s internal database surface network.”

Surprised, Luo An turned his head, and Mona nodded solemnly, further explaining in a low voice:

“The country’s top-tier network talents are in the air, land, and naval forces; the second tier is in certain secret federal agencies and the Pentagon; the third tier is in the CIA, NSA, NRO, FBI, and so on.

As for the White House, the whole world knows it’s the political center, so truly confidential information is never stored there.

Their network system is an older generation network protection system thrown to them by the Pentagon, also serving as a talent selection tool.

Hackers who have infiltrated the White House’s surface network have proven their abilities, after which the military, Pentagon, or our FBI departments will come to recruit them.”

“…”

Having heard Mona, a seasoned industry insider, Luo An couldn’t help but blink in surprise at this unexpected turn of events.

Mona chuckled and patted Luo An’s arm, then softly said:

“What you’re looking for this time shouldn’t count as particularly confidential information. They’re most likely in the White House’s surface network.

I’m confident I can hack in and investigate a bit. What do you say, do you want me to try?”

After pondering for a few seconds, Luo An slowly shook his head:

“Better not.”

Since it was already clear that Mr. Maximilian was working in the White House’s personnel office, there wasn’t any need to risk further trouble by pursuing additional information.

Mona’s description just now also made Luo An more convinced of the existence of a Deep State within the federation. Remembering the respectful attitude Trick Kennedy and Mr. Clement had when speaking with Mr. Maximilian, Luo An narrowed his eyes, and many thoughts instantly flashed through his mind.

Mona, hearing Luo An reject her suggestion, immediately crossed her arms in dissatisfaction, to which Luo An temporarily set aside his thoughts, stepped forward to embrace Mona, joked around, and then continued:

“By the way, could you help me check Trick Kennedy’s recent work and itinerary?”

Mona frowned slightly, puzzled, and asked:

“Why do you want to check on him?”

“The Judgment Process Church case involves many people behind the scenes and many things.”

Luo An massaged Mona’s shoulder and responded with a smile:

“Although Trick Kennedy took over the follow-up work of this case, our Special Investigation Group was ultimately the main force in solving it, so we can’t fully relax just yet. Being cautious never hurts.”

“Makes sense.”

When it came to official matters, Mona nodded seriously and agreed, then walked behind the desk to sit in the chair and started typing on the keyboard.

Luo An picked up the coffee pot, poured a cup of coffee, pushed it to Mona, and casually asked:

“Can you find out where Trick Kennedy went today?”

“Hmm…”

Mona’s fingers flew across the keyboard, she quickly found the relevant information, and answered:

“He went to George Washington University and hasn’t returned yet.”

This university is located in downtown Washington D.C., adjacent to the State Department, World Bank, and International Monetary Fund, just a few blocks from the White House. It’s a well-known private university in the federation, having trained many world-renowned figures.

Thinking of what Mr. Clement said about the Jewish Camp’s hidden hand, and then considering Trick Kennedy’s immediate drive to George Washington University after leaving that building…

Luo An narrowed his eyes slightly, picked up the coffee pot, and poured himself a cup of coffee.

At that moment, someone knocked on the office door, and Michelle pushed it open, saying:

“Reesi is back.”