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

making the rounds

Vivienne nodded. "Yes."

glanced at Griffin and added, "You're familiar

hands. "Of course I am.

Vivienne was

out an unfinished paper. "This was my concept three years ago. But then my computer got hacked, and I noticed this paper had been copied. I knew

paper; indeed, the content matched certain

did you come across this?" Vivienne

have one condition,

not deny it. "That's

smiled slyly. "I

aback.

she could finish, Vivienne cut her off, "It

have said, "Vivienne, did you just sell

they quickly

Griffin's house, the partnership was settled,

the whole time, his

towards him today. And what was with her sudden

he not said that he would marry her in a heartbeat if his

man disagreed,

in thought, he saw Vivienne, Percival, and Anna

turned to

glanced at him and

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 of marriage? Vivienne,

on the cheek. I didn't even know what getting married meant. Besides, the old man would never agree. Vivienne, I do want

off

him

were full of undisguised

confusion, Leopold turned

a long, measured look before slowly saying, "Griffin did make a

it. She wants to marry me, right?

put it bluntly, you need to disappear from our lives for