The Million-Dollar Heart

Leopold could not believe it as the call abruptly ended.

Griffin hung up on him!

This was not normal!

Even Vivienne was taken aback. She remembered quite vividly what Griffin was like the last time they met.

But this time, it was a complete turnaround.

Taking a deep breath, Leopold joined Vivienne and Percival on their way to the Runxing Community.

In the residential area.

Griffin was waiting at the front door. As soon as she saw Vivienne, she greeted her warmly, "Vivienne, long time no see."

"It has been a while," Vivienne greeted back.

"Come on in," Griffin said as she opened the door. "It's just me at home."

Vivienne and Percival walked in side by side, followed closely by Anna.

Just as Leopold was about to follow them inside, Griffin suddenly shut the door and said sternly, "Didn't you hear me? It's just me at home. You think you can just barge into a lady's private space?" Leopold was almost speechless. He incredulously pointed at Percival. "What about him?"

"He's Vivienne's fiancé, practically family. Of course, he can come in," Griffin said, raising an eyebrow at Leopold. "And you are?"

With a thud, the door closed, leaving Leopold alone in the chilling wind.

Griffin's place was not like the typical girl's house. It had an old-fashioned charm, with mahogany furniture and a table in the center of the living room.

The only out-of-place item was a Husky figurine on the tea table.

Vivienne sat down without concern for why Leopold could not come in and got straight to the point, "Griffin, we're here because we need your help with something." As Griffin skillfully poured tea for everyone, she asked, "What's up?"

Percival pulled out a model of a cutting-edge bomb, explaining, "We need to figure out the workings and structure of this bomb and develop a detector for it. Interested?" Griffin's eyes lit up.

weapons enthusiast and expert, she was naturally

new bomb making the rounds on the black market?" Griffin

Vivienne nodded. "Yes."

at Griffin and

hands. "Of course I am. This

Vivienne was

my computer

indeed, the content matched certain features of the

did you come across this?"

to work with you on this, but I have one condition, a non-negotiable. Agree to it, and I'll research this for you pro

deny it. "That's

slyly. "I

taken aback. "I

cut her off, "It

he would have said, "Vivienne, did you just

and stated her condition. Then they quickly moved on to discuss

the partnership was settled, and they left the new bomb prototype

car the whole time, his mind a whirl of confusion and

today. And what was with her sudden vendetta

he would marry her in

disagreed, why take it out

saw Vivienne, Percival, and Anna enter

immediately turned to

him

some outrageous demand? Did she give you guys a hard time?" Leopold pressed his lips, bracing himself, "Does she want me to...make an offer

really didn't do anything to her. I kissed her once when I was young and foolish, and it was just on the cheek. I didn't even know what getting married meant. Besides, the old man would never agree. Vivienne, I do want

rattled off

him

were full of

Leopold turned to Anna. "Anna, what on

Leopold a long, measured look before slowly saying, "Griffin did make a condition, and indeed,

to marry me, right? Impossible!" Leopold stated

"Griffin's condition is that you must be utterly out of sight during the research. You can't even deliver documents. To put it bluntly, you need to disappear from our lives for a while." Leopold nearly bit off