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 on the

Vivienne nodded. "Yes."

at Griffin and added, "You're familiar with

it over in her hands. "Of course I am. This thing, it stole one of

idea?" Vivienne was

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

scanned the paper; indeed, the content matched certain features of the new

across this?" Vivienne asked

my ways. But let's get down to business, Vivienne. I agree to work with you on this, but I have one condition, a non-negotiable. Agree to it, and

not deny it. "That's

smiled slyly. "I

taken aback. "I

could finish, Vivienne cut her off, "It doesn't

had heard this from outside, he would have said, "Vivienne, did you just sell me

laughed and stated her condition. Then they

minutes at Griffin's house, the partnership was settled, and they left

the whole time, his mind a whirl of confusion

fathom Griffin's attitude towards him today. And what was with her

marry

disagreed,

thought, he saw Vivienne, Percival, and Anna enter

to Vivienne. "Did

at him and

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

cheek. I didn't even know what

rattled off

and Percival looked at him as

were full of

turned to Anna. "Anna, what

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

to marry

can't even deliver documents. To put it bluntly, you need to disappear from our lives for a while." Leopold nearly bit off his