Chapter 374: Speculating the Reason Behind the Ring and the Role of Underground Gangs in the United States

The ring was deliberately left behind to draw the attention of the police.

What Su Ming said made everyone present fall into deep thought. They furrowed their brows, trying to assess the likelihood of such a possibility.

A few seconds later.

Xu Changsheng still looked puzzled. He spoke up with a frown.

“Xiao Ming.”

“Why would this Number Ten deliberately leave behind the ring? It just feels… odd.”

“Normally, if this so-called Number Ten is part of the same Organization as K and J, then she should know how relentless we from the Dragon Country Police are when it comes to arrests, right?”

“Given that, why would she intentionally leave behind a clue that would help us track her down?”

“Does she think we won’t be able to find her? Or is it meant to provoke us? But honestly… there’s no real reason to provoke us.”

“Even K, who outranked her, was forced to flee to the United States by our pursuit. Why would Number Ten choose to provoke us now?”

This question wasn’t just troubling Xu Changsheng.

Standing beside him, Lin Tian and Liu Yang both nodded in agreement. It was clear they couldn’t come up with a logical reason for the deliberate placement of the ring either.

Su Ming narrowed his eyes, staring at the small silver ring in his hand. He spoke slowly.

“There are two possibilities I can think of for why the ring was left behind.”

“The first is that Number Ten left her Pure Silver Ring at the ruins of Queen’s Casino under K’s orders.”

“As for why K, who is still on the run, would have someone leave a clue to attract our attention, the main reason is this: K knows that simply plugging leaks and hiding won’t get him out of our reach. He needs to change tactics.”

“I’ve said before that there’s a high chance K will shift from passive evasion to active offense.”

“This deliberately placed Pure Silver Ring only further confirms that suspicion.”

“K is likely preparing to use the freedoms of the United States to his advantage, planning to strike back at us during our attempt to capture Number Ten, in order to eliminate the risk of The Organization being exposed.”

“In that case, this so-called Number Ten is the first bait he’s throwing out.”

“That’s the first possibility I’ve considered. The second is that Number Ten is trying to prove herself, to elevate her standing within The Organization.”

At this point, Su Ming paused for two seconds, rubbing his chin thoughtfully before continuing.

“From our earlier deductions, it’s clear that the Poker Organization likely has a deeply hidden founder.”

“Also, based on the dynamics between J, Q, and K, it’s highly probable that the code names within the Poker Organization aren’t randomly assigned.”

“Most likely, they’re ranked according to internal status and strength, or perhaps by current criminal aptitude. There’s a competitive hierarchy.”

“If that’s the case, then as the highest of the numbered cards, just below the face cards, wouldn’t Number Ten harbor ambitions to replace J, Q, or K? To rise higher within The Organization?”

“My personal feeling is… if she’s been stuck as Number Ten for years with no path to promotion, then this might be her chance to take a risk.”

At that moment.

Liu Yang, who was well-versed in political maneuvering, suddenly slapped his thigh and quickly picked up the thread.

“Team Leader Su, I get it now.”

“You mean… as the top of the numbered cards, Number Ten has never had a chance to move up.”

“Or rather, because J, Q, and K already exist, she believes the true leader of the Poker Organization has never given her the opportunity to prove she’s more capable than those three.”

“But now, she sees an opportunity. Even K was forced to flee to the United States under pressure from our Dragon Country Police.”

“If she leaves behind a clue and still manages to escape our pursuit, then in a way, it proves her evasion skills or criminal abilities surpass K’s.”

“In that case, even if the leader of the Poker Organization doesn’t usually pay much attention, seeing K’s humiliating failure and Number Ten’s superior results in evading us would surely earn her a promotion to a more central position.”

“Since she normally doesn’t have a chance to showcase her abilities, this cross-border manhunt is an opportunity she can’t afford to miss.”

Su Ming nodded in agreement with Liu Yang’s assessment. Then he let out a sigh, a trace of helplessness in his expression.

“That’s basically the idea.”

“Looks like Chief Liu really understands the subtle games of internal ranking. You’ve pretty much nailed Number Ten’s motivation for leaving behind the Pure Silver Ring.”

“Whether it’s K ordering Number Ten to leave the ring as an open scheme to lure us in, or Number Ten herself trying to replace K and using us as tools in her own plot, either way, this is our best opportunity for a breakthrough.”

“Let’s make Number Ten our next target. Start by reviewing the surveillance footage around Queen’s Casino, focusing on slim-built women.”

“Based on my current theory, it’s highly likely that other members of the Poker Organization were also at Queen’s Casino.”

“The reason J, Q, and K showed up so openly in the surveillance footage was probably to discuss their escape routes and how to deal with our police tactics.”

“Whatever the reason, the surveillance around Queen’s Casino must be our top priority for now.”

“Those cameras have a high chance of revealing other members of the Poker Organization.”

Standing nearby, Lin Tian nodded in agreement. He sniffed the tobacco scent on his fingers, then spoke.

“That’s true.”

“If the members of this so-called Poker Organization are closely connected, then it means… capturing even one of them could lead to a trove of unexpected clues and secrets.”

“Given how cautious K usually is, I’m sure he’s already had the others scatter and hide to avoid being exposed.”

“But because of the unique nature of the United States, and the fact that the Poker Organization operates in the shadows, I think there might be another way to uncover relevant leads…”

At that moment.

A sharp glint appeared in Lin Tian’s eyes, the gaze of a seasoned criminal investigator. He hinted at something with a meaningful look.

“The underground gangs in New York might be able to provide us with valuable intel and leads…”