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.

finally open his left eye again, all the lights in Griffin's place were

she nonchalantly remarked, "Are you nuts? Sneaking up behind people all in black with a mask? How do you expect someone

nuts! Didn't you say you didn't

laughing. "Since when did you start following orders

energy to argue. I've delivered your

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

dumbfounded, "Wait, what? Why would they tow my

blocking traffic," Griffin said as if it were the most obvious

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

smirked. "Sorry, my garage isn't for

speechless, finally settling on the couch

work as if he was not even

Leopold's stomach began to rumble. He tapped the

Griffin gestured toward the fridge, "Help

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

not help but ask, "Is this what you

an affirmation, "Just me here, so

some reason, Leopold felt

Griffin seemed much

of course, she would be on a

yourself. Why not keep some veggies or some meat in the house? This..." He

out on the floor under the light, falling across

the only sausage left from the fridge into

couch, wolfing

was still engrossed in her research. Bored out of his mind,

carpet, leaning against the couch, blue pen still clutched in hand, the other two

noodles

sighed. "You're working too

with unknown thoughts in his mind. Suddenly, Griffin's head dropped, and Leopold caught it as quickly

minutes of silence, he lifted her into a more

tossed it aside, grabbed Griffin's car keys, and