The Million-Dollar Heart

As the quartet happily indulged in a cozy fondue dinner, Leopold brought over the documents from headquarters.

Peering through the empty doorway, Leopold hesitated, unsure whether to enter.

He texted Anna: [Where are you guys?]

Anna, who had not quite finished chewing her lamb, hit the voice message button, "On a mission, gotta stick to Ms. Vivienne like glue." Vivienne said, "Just drop the stuff off, and don't be a nuisance. You mess up the deal, I'll break your legs."

Percival added his own threat, "I'll dislocate your arm."

Thomas kept it simple, "Good luck, man!"

Listening to the sounds of bubbling fondue, fizzing sodas, and the stubborn mastication of lamb, Leopold was in disbelief.

Was this really a mission?

This was sheer torture!

But he had no choice; he had to deliver the documents quickly.

Griffin had already sent a reminder in the Little Bombs group chat - a special group Vivienne had created for convenience. With no other option, Leopold donned a mask and hat, covering himself completely, and entered Griffin's home.

The evening was setting in, and Griffin had only a desk lamp on, leaving the main lights off.

Three different-colored pens lay strewn across documents, each marking various annotations. Leopold cleared his throat gently, but Griffin showed no reaction.

He moved closer and tapped Griffin's head with the documents, "Hey, the papers..."

"Ah!"

Bam!

Stars danced before Leopold's eyes as he staggered backward and collapsed to the floor.

when he could finally open his left eye again, all the lights in Griffin's place

upon seeing Leopold awake, she nonchalantly remarked, "Are you nuts? Sneaking

Didn't you say you didn't want to see me? How else was

"Since when did you start following

sharply. "I don't have the energy to argue. I've delivered your stuff; I'm

Griffin pointed outside, "It's pouring rain, and the

what? Why would

Griffin said as if it were the most obvious thing in

fists, grinding his teeth, "Couldn't you, just maybe, help

my garage

speechless, finally settling on the

continued her work as if

stomach began to rumble. He

back, Griffin gestured

sandwiches inside, alongside cans of soda - the classic

but ask, "Is this what

hummed an affirmation, "Just me here, so I

Leopold felt

time, he noticed Griffin seemed much

she would be on a diet like

preparing two cups of noodles, mumbling, "For a young woman, you could take better care of yourself. Why not keep some veggies or some meat in the house? This..." He turned to find Griffin with headphones on, ignoring

stretched out on the floor under the light, falling across her

fridge

wolfing down the nutritionally void

the rain had not stopped, and Griffin was still engrossed in her research. Bored out of his mind, Leopold eventually dozed off on the

asleep on the carpet, leaning against the couch, blue pen still clutched in hand, the other two pens precariously

noodles

"You're working too

her, staring at her with unknown thoughts in his mind. Suddenly, Griffin's head dropped, and Leopold

minutes of silence, he lifted her into a more comfortable position on the couch, draping his jacket

instant noodles, he tossed it aside, grabbed