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 could finally open his left eye again, all the lights

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

his right eye. "You're the one who's nuts! Didn't you say you didn't want to see

burst out laughing. "Since when did you start following orders so

have the energy to argue. I've delivered your stuff; I'm out of

so fast," Griffin pointed outside, "It's pouring rain,

was dumbfounded, "Wait, what? Why

if it were the most obvious

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

"Sorry, my garage isn't for storing Husky

was speechless, finally settling on

her work as if he was

to rumble. He tapped the

back, Griffin gestured

inside, alongside

help but ask, "Is

an affirmation, "Just me here, so I

Leopold felt a

the first time, he noticed Griffin seemed much thinner

course, 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

shadow stretched out on the floor under

from the fridge into Griffin's noodle cup, then

the couch, wolfing

still engrossed in her research. Bored out of his mind, Leopold eventually dozed

the couch, blue pen still clutched in hand, the

noodles

"You're working

right eye less swollen, 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

a more comfortable

at the untouched instant noodles, he tossed it aside,