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,

elusive new bomb making the rounds on the black

Vivienne nodded. "Yes."

glanced at Griffin and added, "You're

turning it over in her hands. "Of course I am.

idea?" Vivienne was

Griffin confirmed, pulling 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 someone must have plagiarized

paper; indeed, the content matched certain features of

across

chuckled. "I have 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 I'll research this for you pro bono." Interest sparked

did not deny it. "That's

slyly. "I

was taken aback. "I haven't even

Vivienne cut her off, "It doesn't

he would have said, "Vivienne, did you just sell

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

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

the whole time, his mind a whirl

attitude towards him today. And what was with her sudden vendetta against

would marry her in a heartbeat if his grandfather

old man disagreed, why take it out on

in thought, he saw Vivienne, Percival, and Anna

turned to Vivienne. "Did

him

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

foolish, and it was just on the cheek. I

rattled off his

at him as if he was an

were full

turned

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

She wants to marry me, right? Impossible!" Leopold

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 his tongue in shock. "What did you