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,

this that elusive new bomb making the rounds on the black market?" Griffin

Vivienne nodded. "Yes."

at Griffin and added, "You're familiar with

in her hands. "Of course I am. This thing,

Vivienne was

years ago. But then my computer got hacked, and I noticed this paper had been

the paper; indeed, the content matched

come across this?" Vivienne

have one condition, a non-negotiable. Agree to it, and I'll research this for you pro bono." Interest sparked in Vivienne's eyes.

did not deny it. "That's right,

slyly.

taken aback. "I

could finish, Vivienne cut her off, "It

he would have said,

her condition. Then they quickly

Griffin's house, the partnership was settled, and they left the new bomb prototype

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

towards him today. And what was with her sudden

would marry her in

disagreed, why take it out

in thought, he saw Vivienne,

turned to Vivienne.

glanced at him

not that simple, "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 an offer of marriage?

Leopold rushed on. "I really didn't do anything to her. I kissed her once when I was young and foolish, and it was just on the cheek.

off his

looked at him as if he

eyes were full of

Leopold turned to Anna. "Anna,

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

it. She wants to marry

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