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.

enthusiast and expert, she

bomb making the rounds on

Vivienne nodded. "Yes."

and added, "You're familiar

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

Vivienne

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

indeed, the content matched certain features of

you come across this?"

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."

not deny

slyly.

aback. "I haven't even

finish, Vivienne cut her off,

heard this from outside, he would have said,

Then they quickly moved on to

the partnership was settled, and they

the whole time, his mind a whirl of confusion and

Griffin's attitude towards him today. And what was

that he would marry her

disagreed, why take it

saw Vivienne, Percival, and Anna enter

immediately turned to Vivienne.

glanced at him and

guys a hard time?" Leopold pressed his lips, bracing himself, "Does

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

off

and Percival looked at him as if he was

were full of undisguised

confusion, Leopold turned to Anna. "Anna,

look before slowly saying, "Griffin

She wants to marry me,

the research. You can't even deliver documents. To put it bluntly, you need to