Nicole was holding an account book in her left hand and a calculator in her right, checking the income and expenses for Hare's House this month.
When she finished the calculations, she was shocked.
In just one month, Hare's House had made six to seven million Dennies in profit—almost equivalent to half a year's income before.
Nicole smiled.
"Sam Li is really the God of Wealth reincarnated, bringing good fortune to Hare's House."
At that moment.
Billy walked over, glanced at Nicole's results, and was just as excited.
"Boss Nicole, how much do we have in the account now?"
"Um... why are you asking? There's plenty left. You definitely won't go hungry."
As soon as she mentioned the money, a guilty look flickered across Nicole's face.
Before Billy could ask again, Nicole quickly changed the subject.
"Right, weren't you going to buy new gun oil? Here's 50,000 Dennies—go grab it."
Billy grabbed the 50,000 Dennies, instantly excited.
"Boss Nicole, I love you! I knew you were the best! I'm off to buy gun oil!"
He dashed for the door.
But just as he reached it, a Public Security Bureau patrol car sped up and braked sharply right in front of Hare's House.
A moment later.
Two familiar figures got out of the car—Zhu Yuan and Qingyi from the Public Security Bureau. As soon as they got out, they spotted Billy at the door.
"Billy, is Sam Li here?"
"Sam Li's out... um, what brings you here?"
Billy looked casual, but whenever he saw Public Security officers, he couldn't help but get a little nervous.
"What's the matter? You didn't forget already, did you? You were the first to capture Perlman. The Public Security Bureau has decided to reward you with two million Dennies."
Qingyi said this as she walked into Hare's House.
Billy forgot all about buying gun oil. He hurried after Qingyi into the shop, eyes fixed on the bag in her hand, guessing that the two million Dennies must be inside.
Seeing Qingyi and Zhu Yuan enter, Nicole quickly greeted them.
"Billy, don't just stand there. Pour some water for the officers."
Then.
Nicole gave Qingyi and Zhu Yuan a once-over, as if searching for something.
Qingyi smiled slightly.
"No need to look—we brought the two million Dennies. It's right here in the bag."
She opened the bag and took out a two-million-Dennies check. All they had to do was take it to the bank and exchange it for cash.
After handing the check to Nicole, Qingyi rummaged through the bag again.
A moment later, she took out two more checks, two certificates of commendation, and two Public Security Bureau medals.
Nicole took them—and was immediately stunned.
Each check was for one million Dennies. In other words, she'd just received four million Dennies.
Billy was stunned too.
"Four million? Why so much?"
Zhu Yuan explained seriously.
"Not only did you capture Perlman, but you also helped us deal with that giant Bangboo and helped defuse a crisis. So the Bureau decided to award Hare's House and the Sons of Calydon one million Dennies each... Please help us pass on the reward to the Sons of Calydon."
Of course, the Bangboo Gang was also awarded one million Dennies.
But that reward was used to purchase Bangboo parts, which Zhu Yuan's team and Qingyi would be delivering, so Hare's House didn't need to handle that.
To be honest.
Even Zhu Yuan was a bit surprised—the Bureau had been unexpectedly generous this time, handing out such large rewards.
Not only to Hare's House and the other groups involved—
Even Zhu Yuan's own team received a one-million-Dennies reward.
After hearing Zhu Yuan's explanation, Nicole was thrilled.
Looking at the four-million-Dennies check, she couldn't stop smiling.
"Don't worry. I'll deliver the reward to Caesar, the leader of the Sons of Calydon, as soon as possible. And if there are any more bounties like this, don't forget to call us."
Catching just one Perlman had netted four million Dennies.
Even after splitting half with the Sons of Calydon, they'd still be left with two million—more than they'd made in the past few months combined.
And that wasn't all.
In a few days, once Perlman's trial was over and the Canvas Lane case was settled, they could earn another million-plus Dennies.
With money pouring in, Nicole couldn't have been happier.
On the side.
Zhu Yuan and Qingyi didn't have time to stay for tea. After handing over the rewards, they left in a hurry.
Before they left, they reminded her,
"Don't forget to pass the Sons of Calydon's reward to them as soon as possible."
"I won't. As soon as Sam Li returns, I'll have him contact them."
After Zhu Yuan and Qingyi left.
Nicole stared at the four-million-Dennies check, counting it again and again, smiling from ear to ear.
Then.
She handed three of the checks to Billy.
"Head to the bank. Cash out three million—we'll deliver it to the Sons of Calydon. Deposit the remaining one million into the Hare's House account."
Billy thought for a moment.
"Boss Nicole, did you miscalculate? Aren't we supposed to split it 50/50?"
Nicole explained,
"I already discussed it with Caesar. I plan to invest one million into Calydon Town—buy a large piece of land. When Caesar actually turns the town into a city, that area will definitely become the city center. Land prices will skyrocket—and we'll make a fortune."
Sure, Caesar's dream sounded a little unrealistic.
But Nicole saw a kindred spirit in him. They were both dreamers. She believed he could succeed.
Of course.
If he did, Hare's House would become a major landowner in the new city—and Nicole could even become deputy mayor.
Just thinking about it made her happy.
On the side, Anby nodded.
"I support Nicole's decision."
Nekomata hesitated.
"I support it too... If I had a million Dennies, I'd invest in Calydon Town too."
Billy covered his face.
"Alright, fine. I support it too."
As a former member of the Calydon organization, Billy still felt strongly about Calydon Town and its gang—of course he supported Nicole's plan.
Seeing this scene, Soldier 11 could only shake her head.
She hadn't expected the people of Hare's House to be so... naive.
They actually believed in such an unrealistic dream.
New Eridu itself was already facing crisis after crisis. The idea of building a new city out in the barren, dangerous, chaotic Outer Ring? That was pure fantasy.
It had no chance of succeeding.
Even with mountains of Dennies, large-scale farming in the Outer Ring was impossible—
let alone unifying the local gangs.
Otherwise, the New Eridu government wouldn't have abandoned the Outer Ring in the first place and let it become lawless.
...