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.

or more accurately, when he could finally open his left eye again, all

the documents, and upon seeing Leopold awake, she nonchalantly remarked, "Are you nuts? Sneaking up behind people all in black with

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

when did you start following orders

have the energy to argue. I've delivered

pointed outside, "It's pouring rain, and

what? Why

if it were the most obvious thing in the

his fists, grinding his teeth, "Couldn't you, just maybe, help me out and move the car into your

"Sorry, my garage isn't for storing Husky

speechless, finally settling on the

if he was not even

stomach began to rumble. He

back, Griffin gestured toward the fridge,

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

but ask, "Is

me

Leopold felt a sudden pang of

time, he noticed Griffin seemed much thinner

be

care of yourself. Why not keep some veggies or

shadow stretched out on the floor

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

the couch, wolfing down the nutritionally void

Griffin was still engrossed in her

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

noodles were

"You're

he approached and squatted beside her, staring at her with unknown thoughts in his mind. Suddenly, Griffin's head dropped, and Leopold caught it as quickly as possible. His face was a little flushed, and so was his

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

the untouched instant noodles, he tossed it aside, grabbed