CHAPTER 1413: CHAPTER 1408: MAKE AN APPEARANCE

Yang Yi didn’t know who spoke up, but he knew that whoever was challenging the CIA’s dignity and trying to erase his contributions, he had to stand up and resist.

Walter might know who was speaking, so he didn’t speak up immediately. Porter was a bigwig and couldn’t directly get involved, but Yang Yi didn’t care about these things.

Yang Yi was truly fearless at the moment, so his words didn’t seem wrong but were quite impolite because he directly responded to the provocation. And given the huge disparity in status, his response was tantamount to a slap in the face.

Although Yang Yi almost never engages in showing off or face-slapping, when the opportunity presents itself, how could he not take advantage?

Sure enough, as soon as Yang Yi spoke, everyone’s faces showed varied expressions.

Porter was indifferent, but his gaze towards Yang Yi was one of undisguised appreciation and encouragement.

Walter was surprised, looking at Yang Yi with some worry.

The President was also surprised. He first frowned, then looked at Yang Yi with interest and nodded slightly.

As for the person who posed the question, his expression remained calm, but anyone wearing glasses could see his displeasure.

"Is it just a judgment based on your experience? Forgive me for being blunt, but you don’t seem like someone qualified to handle such cases. What level are you now?"

Yang Yi showed no expression; he just replied steadily, "Sir, the extent of one’s ability and the richness of experience often have nothing to do with age. Since I have received the most rigorous and effective training from the CIA, I consider myself a professional agent. As an ordinary CIA agent, there are certainly many others with the same capability, but since it’s Walter and I who carried out this mission, naturally, it’s the two of us who made the judgment. Sir, isn’t this a normal thing? Shouldn’t the people executing the mission be the ones qualified to make judgments? So who should conduct site analysis and make the initial judgment?"

Yang Yi’s counter-question was even more impolite; Porter’s lips slightly curved, nearly unable to suppress a smile.

The person who asked was even more annoyed, but he definitely wouldn’t have an outburst, nor would he say anything particularly foolish. However, he was truly unwilling to be embarrassed by a small fry.

This wasn’t a bigwig’s troublemaking towards a small agent; it was an open and covert battle between two departments. So how could it end so easily?

But at this moment, the President waved his hand and said, "Now is not the time to argue about these things. This young man is right. Since they executed this mission, they are of course the people most qualified to speak. Please, let’s sit down and talk."

Yang Yi certainly didn’t just plop down; he waited for the President to sit, and only after other apparent bigwigs from the military, political, and intelligence circles sat did he finally take his seat.

Around a small oval conference table, the group sat down to listen to the report from Yang Yi and Walter.

"Are you saying Big Ivan’s nephew unintentionally triggered a terror attack?"

"Yes, Mr. President, I believe Ivan absolutely didn’t have such intentions. If he truly thought it was us who killed Big Ivan, then he indeed might do anything. I have researched Ivan a bit, and he’s the type who would disregard everything for family and friendship."

After a pause, Yang Yi continued, "This point can be seen from some traces in the Cicero Family’s internal conflict."

The President frowned and said, "Cicero Family’s internal conflict?"

Porter timely explained, "It’s a very old family in Europe, mainly dealing in intelligence business. This family has significant influence in the intelligence community. Not long ago, there was an internal rift, though calling it a civil war is somewhat exaggerated from our intelligence community’s perspective, Mr. President."

"Oh, I understand, please continue."

Yang Yi continued with a serious expression, "Ivan is a person who places great emphasis on family ties, and his relationship with Big Ivan has always been good. So Big Ivan’s death is indeed very dangerous. However, as long as Ivan can find a reason, or rather, he finds evidence that Big Ivan wasn’t killed by us, even if the evidence isn’t very conclusive, he wouldn’t choose to die rashly, Mr. President. Being willing to sacrifice everything, even life, for family is quite normal. But using a nuclear bomb out of anger for a seemingly unclear vengeance and getting oneself killed indicates madness. Although Ivan is called Bloody Ivan, he’s ruthless but certainly not insane, because everyone knows Ivan is far from being crazy; he’s extremely smart."

The President nodded and said, "Based on a judgment of his humanity?"

"Yes, Mr. President, based on a judgment of his humanity."

"Good, you articulated it well. This indeed is good news. So, have we handed our evidence to Ivan?"

Yang Yi picked up the written report again and said, "Mr. President, this contains all the details of our negotiation..."

Porter waved his hand to interrupt Yang Yi, then said in a deep voice, "Mr. President wants you to elaborate and explain."

"Yes, sir, Mr. President, from the incident till now, the process went like this..."

Yang Yi started talking about how he established contact with Ivan, gained his trust with Walter’s help, and eventually what results were achieved. During this process, Walter didn’t say a word.

It’s undeniable that some people are born to handle big occasions, clearly and unfortunately, Walter isn’t one of them.

Yang Yi eloquently finished describing the entire process, and finally, the President nodded repeatedly and said, "So, although Ivan only brought out one nuclear bomb, through that one we could trace all of them?"

Yang Yi promptly replied, "Mr. President, to correct you, it’s not certain, but there’s a possibility. However, I must say before this, we had no clues, and now we have a very valuable and effective clue."

The President seemed to be contemplating something. At this moment, the person in the suit once again spoke softly, "Mr. President, I believe considering these things are overly optimistic since the nuclear bombs are not yet found, and also..."

The President raised his hand to interrupt his words, then after thinking for a while, he said, "Now let’s consider what actions can be taken during and after obtaining the nuclear bomb."

"Mr. President, we can arrange personnel, and upon receiving the nuclear bomb, immediately launch an investigation."

"What’s the specific action plan?"

"Um, Mr. President, this will be left to our professionals."

At this point, Porter said in a deep voice, "Mr. President, I must interrupt your conversation with Mr. Schiller and apologize, but I must state two points. First, Ivan’s nuclear bomb handover can only be handled by the Sea God. Second, we have already prepared all contingency plans for subsequent actions and arranged the personnel on standby, ready to act at any time."