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

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

Vivienne nodded. "Yes."

Griffin and added, "You're

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

idea?" Vivienne was

my concept three years ago. But then my computer got hacked, and I noticed this paper

the content matched certain features of

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

not deny

smiled slyly. "I

taken aback.

finish, Vivienne cut her

heard this from outside, he would have said,

they quickly moved on to discuss

house, the partnership was

car the whole time,

fathom Griffin's attitude towards him today. And what was

he not said that he would marry her in a

if the old man disagreed, why

saw Vivienne,

to

glanced at him and

she make some outrageous demand? Did she give you guys a hard time?"

could speak, 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. I didn't even know what getting married meant. Besides, the old man would

rattled off

and Percival looked at him as if he was an

eyes were full of

confusion, Leopold turned to Anna. "Anna, what

before slowly saying, "Griffin did

knew it. She wants to marry

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 nearly