Hearing He Ao's words, the other end of the phone fell silent again before asking hoarsely, "What exactly do you want?"
"We've recently been investigating a case and need a little cooperation," He Ao said with a smile. "The Julia Family has a better impression."
"What case?" Folen's voice was filled with confusion and bewilderment. "What do you mean, the Julia Family has a better impression? Is your case so confidential that you can't even tell us over a one-on-one call? You can't let us know?"
"Do you remember Sot?" Rather than answering directly, He Ao spoke slowly. "I remember the Julia Family once asked Sot to do something. That was the only time Sot ever did anything for the Federation's old families."
"How do you know that? Are you from the Staff Office? No, that can't be right. I know everyone in the Staff Office, and your voice doesn't sound familiar." Folen's tone rose sharply, then lowered after a brief pause. "What do you people want?"
"In a sense, I'm merely working for someone," He Ao answered the first half of his question. "At a certain gentleman's urging, I came here and found you."
"Who? A certain gentleman? Someone from the Federal Bureau of Investigation?" Folen was clearly becoming irritated. If He Ao had not just mentioned Sot, he would have already hung up. "Does the Federal Bureau of Investigation have some 'gentleman' whose name can't be spoken? Are you even with the Federal Bureau of Investigation?"
At that moment, he seemed to think of something. His words abruptly caught, and he lowered his voice. "Are you working for the Director-General?"
In that instant, all of He Ao's ambiguous remarks fell into place for Folen. He paused, then said hoarsely, "You're investigating the President Assassination Case?"
He paused slightly,