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.

he came to, or more accurately, when he could finally open his left eye again, all the lights

remarked, "Are you nuts? Sneaking up behind people all in black with a

right eye. "You're the one who's nuts! Didn't you say you didn't want to see me? How else was I supposed to

out laughing. "Since when did you

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

outside, "It's pouring rain, and the cops

Why would

it were the most obvious

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

smirked. "Sorry, my garage isn't for storing

finally settling on the couch

if

Leopold's stomach began to rumble. He

Griffin gestured toward the fridge, "Help

but instant noodles and pre-made sandwiches inside, alongside cans of soda

but ask, "Is

hummed an affirmation, "Just me here, so I make

Leopold felt a sudden pang of

he noticed Griffin seemed much thinner than

she would be on a diet

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?

out on the floor under the light, falling across

silently added the only sausage left from the fridge into Griffin's noodle cup, then

the couch, wolfing down

and Griffin was still engrossed in her research. Bored

against the couch, blue pen still clutched in hand, the other two pens precariously perched in her

noodles were

sighed. "You're working

Suddenly, Griffin's head dropped, and Leopold caught it as quickly as possible. His face was

lifted her into a more comfortable position on

at the untouched instant noodles, he tossed it aside, grabbed