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

new bomb making the

Vivienne nodded. "Yes."

and added,

in her hands. "Of course I

idea?" Vivienne

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

content matched certain features of

you come across

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."

did not deny it. "That's

slyly. "I

aback. "I haven't even

cut her off,

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

and stated her condition. Then they

minutes at Griffin's house, the partnership was

whole time, his mind a whirl of confusion

fathom Griffin's attitude towards him today. And what

he would marry her in

the old man disagreed, why take it

he saw Vivienne, Percival, and Anna enter the

turned to Vivienne. "Did

at him and simply

that simple, "Did she make some outrageous demand? Did she give you guys a hard time?" Leopold

it was just on the cheek. I didn't even know what getting married meant. Besides, the old man would never agree. Vivienne, I do want to figure out that bomb, but I can't agree to

off

at him as if

full of undisguised

his head in confusion, Leopold turned to Anna. "Anna, what

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

wants to marry me, right?

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