And as fate would have it, the bearded man was dealt a pair of fours, meaning my hole card, the four of hearts… was now useless!
With all four fours out, my only hope was to rely on my King of Spades for a flush or, even better, a straight flush…
As I revealed my two hole cards, I heard the young woman in the mask let out a dismissive scoff.
It seemed she didn't believe I could stage a comeback against the elegant lady with just one card.
Ignoring her mockery, I lit a cigarette with a poker face.
At the same time, my gaze was fixed on the plump dealer at the table.
He was reaching for the deck, preparing to deal the next card.
A professional dealer would pause for a fraction of a second as the card was drawn, demonstrating that no sleight of hand was involved.
In a mere second, the crucial fifth community card was neatly placed on the table.
The moment the fifth community card was dealt, the contestants who had folded earlier couldn't help but exclaim.
"Holy shit! That actually works?!"
"That's quite a hand!"
"A straight flush, just one rank below a royal flush, dealt out this early! I've played in so many Texas Hold'em tournaments, and this is the first time I've seen such a powerful hand!"
While the other contestants gasped and marveled, the elegant lady who had gone all-in, and the young woman who had folded early, both frowned deeply, staring intently at the cards.
Their eyes were filled with an overwhelming disbelief, as if they couldn't comprehend the reality before them.
Because that community card was the key to completing a straight flush – the Queen of Spades!
Nine, ten, jack, queen, king!
I had won!
Through sheer luck and a desperate comeback, I had staged an incredible reversal at the last moment, successfully defeating the elegant lady and the bearded man!
Trying to accuse me of cheating would be impossible.
My hole cards were only one spade and one heart.
If I were to cheat, I would surely have a hand that could form a straight with the community cards, paired with another spade.
As for blaming the dealer, there was even less reason.
Anyone working as a dealer in the finals would have undergone thorough background checks.
If the dealer had any connection with a contestant, they wouldn't have been allowed at the table.
Of course, this didn't apply to the special personnel arranged by the organizer, Ying Baolin.
Thus, both of them were left speechless in defeat.
They stood there stunned, their eyes vacant, staring blankly at the Queen of Spades, which had been a fatal blow to them.
Meanwhile, the young woman, seizing the moment when everyone else was distracted, subtly shifted her gaze back to me.
Her eyes were like a viper revealing its fangs, flashing with a cold, chilling glint.
Ignoring the young woman's cold stare, as soon as the dealer announced the end of the round, I stood up and said, "Hold on a moment, I need to use the restroom!"
The reason I didn't press my advantage was that my phone vibrated in my pocket.
...
After going to the restroom, I immediately took out my phone to check.
It was a message from Yun Luo.
"Well played!"
Four concise and striking words.
It seemed Yun Luo had arranged for someone to watch the match in the spectator area and monitor me through a split-screen display.
With that thought, I tapped the reply button and sent her a message.
"How are Shen Mengqing and Xu Peiyu?"
Within two minutes of sending the message, Yun Luo replied.
"Don't worry, they are both fine!"
Just as I was about to reply, Yun Luo sent another message.
"Have you found the helpers Ying Baolin arranged?"
Without hesitation, I quickly typed a one-word reply on the virtual keyboard.
"Yes!"
Then, Yun Luo sent another message.
"Then hurry up and make your move, pin that person down firmly! Oh, and remember what you promised me. I'll be watching you at all times!"
Currently, being in such a passive and controlled situation was the last thing I wanted.
Honestly, if it weren't for the safety of Shen Mengqing and Xu Peiyu, I truly wouldn't want to fall out with Ying Baolin.
From the fact that he arranged two helpers to compete at the table, it was clear that Ying Baolin was very eager for the Macau Gambling King competition.
Otherwise, he wouldn't have needed to create a double safeguard for himself.
If I were to eliminate both of those helpers, I couldn't even begin to imagine the situation I would face afterward.
Just as I was about to reply to Yun Luo's message, a soft sound of footsteps approached outside the restroom door.
Thump, thump, thump…
Seeing this, I immediately put away my phone, made some splashing sounds, and opened the door.
A server stood there, smiling at me, and said, "Excuse me, sir!"
"Since you've been away from the table for too long, the dealer sent me to check on you."
"May I ask if you are finished?"
Although the server's question was phrased subtly, I understood his underlying meaning.
Brother, you've taken quite a long time in the restroom! If you're done, please hurry up and get out! You're running out of time!
Hearing this, I nodded apologetically at the server, acknowledging him, and then walked out without a word…
As soon as I returned to my seat after leaving the restroom, I saw the elegant lady frown and look at me indignantly, saying, "You young people really take your sweet time, like a lazy donkey trying to defecate!"
I knew why the elegant lady was targeting me. Besides my comeback with a straight flush against her flush hand…
It was also because this sudden pause had disrupted her and the young woman's plans and their original rhythm.
Earlier, when the young woman had locked onto me again, I had confirmed in my heart… these two were the ones I was looking for!
Since both of them were here with a mission to keep a close eye on me, then let's bring out the chariots, horses, cannons, and fight a real battle!
...
Ignoring the elegant lady's taunt, I followed the players ahead of me and placed my bet.
Seeing that everyone had placed their bets, the dealer began to shuffle and deal the cards.
Just then…
I suddenly noticed that as the dealer dealt the two hole cards to the young woman, his palms were slightly cupped compared to before.
And the web of his thumb and index finger was slightly shifted inward, pressing against the corner of the card.
Although the movement was not obvious at all, I could sense what this change meant.
The dealer was cheating! Dealing good cards to the young woman!