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 naturally

the rounds on the black market?" Griffin

Vivienne nodded. "Yes."

glanced at Griffin and added, "You're familiar

the bomb model closely, turning it over in her hands. "Of course I am.

Vivienne was

my computer got hacked, and I noticed this paper had been copied. I knew someone must

quickly scanned the paper; indeed, the content matched certain features of the new

across this?" Vivienne asked

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

not deny

smiled slyly. "I

was taken aback. "I

could finish, Vivienne cut her

outside, he would have said, "Vivienne, did you just

and stated her condition. Then they quickly moved

at Griffin's house, the partnership was settled, and

whole time, his mind a

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

said that he would marry her in

if the old man disagreed, why take

Vivienne, Percival, and Anna

to

glanced at him and

"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? Vivienne, you didn't agree, did

young and foolish, and 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

off his

and Percival looked at him as if

eyes were full of

head in confusion, Leopold turned to Anna.

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

marry me,

To put it bluntly, you need to disappear from our lives