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 was

making the rounds on the black market?"

Vivienne nodded. "Yes."

and added, "You're familiar

bomb model closely, turning it over in her hands. "Of

idea?" Vivienne was

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

the paper; indeed, the content matched certain features of the

you come across this?" Vivienne asked

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

not deny

slyly. "I

aback. "I haven't

she could finish, Vivienne cut her off, "It

had heard this from outside, he would have said, "Vivienne,

her condition. Then they quickly moved

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

car the whole time, his mind a

not fathom Griffin's attitude towards him today.

that he would marry her in a heartbeat if his

old man disagreed, why take it

in thought, he saw Vivienne, Percival,

turned to Vivienne. "Did

him and simply

hard time?" Leopold pressed his lips, bracing himself, "Does she want me to...make an offer of marriage? Vivienne, you didn't agree, did

anything to her. I kissed her once when I was young and foolish, and it was just on the cheek. I didn't even know what getting married

rattled off his

and Percival looked at him as if he

eyes were full of

confusion, Leopold turned to Anna.

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

knew it. She wants to marry

massaged her temples. "Griffin's condition is that you 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