Under the watchful eyes of Nicole, Billy, Soldier 11, and the others, a short, chubby man with a waist thicker than a barrel, shorter than a barrel, and a round face with no chin crawled out of the pitch-black sewer in a panic.
The moment he spotted Nicole and the others, his expression twisted.
Of course, he recognized Nicole, Nekomata, and the others. During the Canvas Lane incident, it was Hare's House that had ruined his plans.
"Why is it you again? How did you know I was here?"
Perlman was utterly stunned.
He'd thought that by hiding in the Outer Ring with the Lion's Tooth Gang backing him, he'd no longer have to worry about being caught by the Public Security Bureau.
Yet barely a month later, the Lion's Tooth Gang had been defeated... by a bunch of Bangboos.
He'd thought hiding in the sewers would keep those foolish Bangboos from finding him.
He'd barely managed to dodge them—only to be dragged out by Hare's House again.
Why were they everywhere?!
Seeing Perlman's look of utter despair, Nicole and the others were overjoyed.
Especially Nicole, who stared at Perlman in delight.
"You sure can hide. If it weren't for Sam Li, you might've actually slipped away."
Nicole stared at Perlman intently.
To her, Perlman wasn't just a fugitive—he was a pile of Dennies. Two million Dennies.
This trip to the Outer Ring had been worth it.
Noticing Nicole's burning gaze, Perlman's expression grew even darker. He knew he had now become Hare's House's prey.
He had to think of a way to escape—fast.
If he was taken back to New Eridu and tried as a serious criminal, he'd spend the rest of his life behind bars.
Bribe them with Dennies?
He didn't have a single Dennie on him—there was no way he could bargain with them.
Threaten them with force?
Not a chance. He couldn't take on any of them.
Seeing Perlman's darting eyes, clearly scheming something, Nicole snorted.
"Billy, tie him up. Make sure he doesn't run again."
She didn't need to remind him.
Billy had already found a rope and wound it around Perlman a dozen times, binding him tightly like a dumpling.
No chance of escape this time.
Billy hoisted Perlman over his shoulder like a sandbag.
"Nicole, boss, let's go. Time to find the Public Security Bureau and claim those two million Dennies!"
Hearing this, Perlman's eyes widened in shock.
"What?! The Public Security Bureau is here too?!"
Nicole replied matter-of-factly, "Of course. They're right over there. Good thing we found you first—otherwise, that two million would be gone."
Perlman pleaded desperately.
"Please! Don't hand me over to the Bureau. Let me go! I'll give you two million Dennies!"
Nicole shook her head.
Perlman upped his offer.
"Three million? Four million? Ten million! I can give you as much as you want—just let me go!"
Hearing the wild numbers and empty promises, Anby rolled her eyes.
"Nicole, don't listen to him. He's just stalling."
"I'm the boss of Hare's House and a model in the agent business. You think I'd fall for that? He probably can't even scrape together ten thousand Dennies right now. Billy, Nekomata, Soldier 11—let's hurry to Captain Zhu Yuan and the others. Once we hand him over, we won't have to worry about a thing."
Perlman was still shouting.
"Trust me! Just this once! Let me go—!"
Growing impatient, Nicole snapped, "Billy, shut him up."
"I've been waiting to do this!"
He pulled out a cloth from who-knows-where and stuffed it into Perlman's mouth.
Billy looked a little sheepish.
"Uh... my sock. What's with those looks? It's clean—I washed it a week ago!"
Perlman struggled, muffled.
With Billy's sock stuffed in his mouth, he could only groan helplessly.
Once Perlman was captured, the rest was simple.
Nicole, Sam Li, Billy, Soldier 11, and the others found the Public Security Bureau team in the town center.
Nicole didn't waste any time.
She had Billy toss Perlman right in front of Zhu Yuan and Qingyi.
"This guy is the wanted criminal Perlman. Keep a close eye on him—we're handing him over. If he escapes again, that's on you."
"Don't worry. He won't get away."
"And about the bounty…"
"Rest assured. Once we return to New Eridu, I'll report to the Bureau Chief and apply for your reward."
Qingyi, Zhu Yuan, and Seth moved in.
They surrounded Perlman.
Now boxed in by three elite officers, Perlman was scared stiff.
Billy yanked the sock from Perlman's mouth.
"Give that back! It's my favorite sock!"
Billy took one look at the sock, frowned, and stuffed it right back in.
"You've ruined it. I can't wear this anymore—better compensate me with a new pair!"
Perlman was on the verge of tears. These people were bullying him too much!
Watching Billy shamelessly demand a new sock, Qingyi sighed.
"Mr. Billy, when we return to the city, I'll report this to the Bureau Chief and make sure you get a new pair."
Zhu Yuan pulled out a pair of handcuffs and locked them onto Perlman's wrists.
"Perlman, you are now officially under arrest. From this moment on, anything you say will be used as evidence in court."
Perlman clearly wanted to say something, but with the sock still stuffed in his mouth, he couldn't get a word out.
"Captain, it seems he has something to say."
Seth hesitated, then pulled it free.
Perlman, as if a seal had been lifted, began spewing venom at Billy.
"Damn Hare's House! Damn robots! When I get out of here, you'll pay—!"
Seth was about to shove the sock back in.
Perlman quickly pleaded.
"Wait, wait! I still have something to say!"
"Speak quickly—we're very busy."
"Three officers—let me go. I'll give each of you ten million Dennies! How about it?"
Qingyi replied, utterly uninterested.