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.

a top-tier weapons enthusiast and expert, she was naturally

this that elusive new bomb making the rounds on

Vivienne nodded. "Yes."

Griffin and

over in her hands. "Of course I

idea?" Vivienne was

my concept three years ago. But then my computer got hacked, and I noticed this paper had been copied. I knew someone must have plagiarized

indeed, the content matched certain features of

did you come across this?" Vivienne

down to business, Vivienne. I agree 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 bono." Interest sparked in Vivienne's eyes. "Is it about

not deny

slyly. "I

was taken aback. "I haven't even

cut her off, "It doesn't

from outside, he would have said, "Vivienne, did

they quickly

the partnership was settled, and they left the

sat in the car the whole time, his mind a whirl

Griffin's attitude towards him today. And what

marry

disagreed, why take it out on

thought, he saw Vivienne,

to Vivienne. "Did she

at him and simply

a hard time?" Leopold pressed his

and foolish, and it was just on the cheek. I didn't

off his

Percival looked at him as if he was

were full of undisguised

in confusion, Leopold turned to Anna. "Anna, what on earth

slowly saying, "Griffin did make a

to marry me, right? Impossible!"

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